Every now and then, a project car pops up here on eBay that feels like a snapshot from another era—a machine with a long story behind it and a future that depends entirely on the next owner’s imagination. This 1960 Saab 93F, equipped with a 1970s or 1980s Subaru four-cylinder engine, definitely fits that description. It’s being offered by a private seller who originally picked it up as a parts donor for their own 93F project, but ultimately decided it deserved a chance to live on intact. For Saab fans, tinkerers, or anyone who loves a good vintage oddball, this one checks a lot of boxes.
According to the seller, the car was seen around Maine for many years and was last registered in 1994. That already gives it a bit of regional folklore, something that tends to happen with quirky imports in rural parts of the Northeast. The engine currently in the car turns over, though the seller has not tested it with the starter. It’s a swap that likely kept the car on the road decades ago, and someone with the right mechanical know-how might decide to keep that setup or return the vehicle to something more period-correct.
The body has had repairs in several of the usual Saab trouble spots, including the rear shock and spring area and the metal behind the rear seat. The seller notes some small rust areas in the floor pans as well, but mentions that they can be handled with replacement panels. The fenders are said to be in very good shape, with only the front driver’s side showing any actual rust perforation. The glass is reportedly all good, which is no small thing on a 64-year-old Scandinavian sedan.
Inside, the car comes with only one seat, and the seller makes clear that “what you see is what you get.” Still, they point out that the custom upholstery adds some charm even if the original seating arrangement is incomplete. There are no keys that fit the current locks, so the next owner will need to sort that out. Like most vintage projects of this age, it will need to be trailered.
The seller is upfront that this is a project, but also emphasizes that it’s a solid candidate for restoration or even a race build. With a clean title and decades of local history, it’s the kind of Saab that could easily reward the right enthusiast. They’re also willing to deliver it within 250 miles of Augusta, Maine for a small fee, which might make the logistics easier for a buyer in the region.
For fans of early Saabs—or anyone who loves the charm of a strange survivor—this 93F offers a rare chance to bring something unusual back to life.
Putting just about any Subaru engine in one of these Saabs was an improvement, because in stock form you either got a smoky and slow 2-cycle engine or a shaky and weak Ford-sourced V4. Ever wonder why no other cars had a V4? They shake big time because of their (lack of) primary balance. Anyway, the seller of this car mentions it’s a project. Yes, and water is wet. Whoever buys this, good luck. The engine might be the best part of the deal.
Lancia Appia had a V4 (admittedly a 10 degree) and didn’t shake. Fulvia had one also.
Got ScottyG all over it, although I’m not sure he’d approve of the Subie motor. This, I read, is one of the last 93’s,( 1955-1960) and the 96 came out in late 1960. They were sold side by side for a very short time, so this could be one of the last ones. Always liked a Saab like this, and I never heard of a Subie swap, but it must have worked. Check out the gas filler. I remember gasoline spilled would taken the paint off, and before auto shut offs, spills were an everyday occurrence, in fact, gas was so cheap, you’d “round it up” to the next even number by spilling it on the ground. HORRORS today, or someone mixed the gas in a separate can, and spilled it all over, it was a pain, and the V4 was a welcome addition, like here, I’d imagine.
Not sure it would be worth getting this going, some VERY valuable parts for a collector, if any, but I doubt much interest otherwise.
I wonder if it retains the original “pull start”? The WHAAA? Whilst researching these, I came across a video,”how to pull start a 93f”. Naturally, I thought some sort of recoil like a lawn mower or a crank, but alas, see that “T” handle below the ignition switch? You turned the key on, and pulled the t handle, kind of the opposite of a push button start. That was a new one for me.
Subaru is horizontally opposed- a flat 4.
Ah, my BFs nemesis, perhaps it’s been a while since schooling, but you obviously have a difficult time reading my posts. I never said the Subaru motor was a V4, yutz.
years ago I had a 60 SAAB two stroke , put 3 motors in it before I sold it !
Even though the older Subie engine is no torque monster. I bet the Subie HP was too much for the transmission in this one as they were quite weak. Definitely an interesting swap. That means you could install a VW air cooled engine also. The V4s shook so bad, a balance shaft was installed from the Ford Factory. Even the Cologne 2.6/2.8 V6s still have a place for a balance shaft as the V6 blocks are a derivative of the V4. (Why some of the block is off-set) A hot VW engine and possibly a stout gearbox would have made this car a blast to drive! BUT THE SWEDISH WOULD HAVE NEVER SETTLED FOR LACK OF HEAT! (But with the engine up front, maybe the VW heat system would have worked better!
We had several 96 V4’s that were our commuter/daily drivers. We put many thousands of miles on them over the years, and vibration was never a problem for us. I thought they were a great match for the rest of the car, which we found to be practical, economical, well engineered, and durable, except that they eventually succumbed to road salt induced rust. Maybe SAAB owners who previously had 2 stroke power were spoiled by the smoothness of the 3 cylinder powered cars ( except at idle!) but I thought the V4’s were perfectly adequate, including smoothness!
really nothing here but a saab story
What a shame this car doesn’t have its original 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine anymore. If I was in the market for one of these I would pass on this one and keep looking.
They are out there far and few Ebay good source for them tin worm loved these cars !