Built by an aircraft manufacturer, styling from the 40s, 2-stroke or V4 with steering gear and freewheel. How could it be popular for so long?
The Saab 96 was produced between 1960 and 1979. The design originated from a concept developed shortly after the war. It is incredible that the body shape from the 40s could remain popular well into the 70s - helped by the merits from the rally tracks, of course.
Model history
The Saab 96 began with the so-called blunt nose (blunt nose). For the model year, it got a new, extended front - called långnos (long nose). It made it possible to move the radiator forward to provide better cooling. From the 1967 model year, the 850cc 3-cylinder two-stroke was replaced with a 1,5-litre V4 from the Ford 12M. It produced 69 HP – a big leap from the previous 45 HP. Moreover, the V4 made a fierce sound in the Saab, especially on the rally tracks. In the 1968 model year, Saab got a larger windscreen. In 1970, it got a new front again, the first year with square headlights, - then like the blue car in the pictures. In 1974, the shiny grill was replaced with plastic, new headlights and new bumper horns. In 1976, the model received the large toady bumpers - which to my eyes looked like bathing platforms.
Family car in the 60s
My father owned a 1965 red long nose from when it was almost new. It was used as a family car. But as he needed to drive over 40 km a year in his official capacity, the two-stroke engine did not last. He therefore had a company car (Ford M) at the time. One of the company cars was a 000 Ford 1970 M 12 V1500 with front wheel drive - the same V4 that the Saab 4 got from 96. When my father was going to buy a new car in 1967, the choice was easy. It had to be a V1974 – a brand new Saab 4. Optional equipment was a Blaupunkt radio mounted in the lid of the glove compartment and headrests without cushions. They were shaped like round plastic hoops – the same type that was also used in the 96 series.
The car I learned to drive in
The 1974 model was the car I had to learn to drive in. There were many long trips. I can't say I loved the Saab, exactly. I thought it was starting to look old (even though it was new) and that it had some odd features. In 1974, for example, steering wheels weren't very cool. The thin steering wheel was also nothing to shout about. I had to use all the strength I had to steer it around parking lots. My father advised me that you were not allowed to turn the steering wheel while the car was stationary. When the wheels are moving, it is much easier to turn the steering wheel, - and not least, the components in the steering will last longer.
Saab 96 on the road
The Saab 96 was not a big car, but well adapted to tall people like my father and me. The seats and sitting position were ok, although it takes some getting used to as the pedals sit quite far to the right. You sat a little at an angle while driving. I liked that the car made good progress on winter roads with narrow spikes. I was never really a fan of front-wheel drive. According to the father, all you had to do was give it gas out of the bend, then the rest of the car followed - but I never felt sure where the limit was. When there was no more to give, or the ground didn't give a grip, - the car understeered and wanted to go straight into the forest. Although Saab's famous rally driver Erik Carlsson almost always ended up on the roof when going too fast - not in the woods.
V4 and freewheel
Sometimes I miss the sound of the V4. Then I find some film taken with a dashboard camera on YouTube from one forest rally or another. It's wonderful to hear the V4 in free development while the gravel hails into the undercarriage.
I also miss the freewheel. My father used the freewheel to the maximum and saved petrol, moreover you could shift with a careful hand only by using the gas - without a clutch. With a little practice, it was easy to find the point in the rev range where clutchless shifting was possible. Once the transmission to the clutch failed so that it could not be used. Then there was a complete standstill along the road. A mechanic from Vestfold Auto then drove the car problem-free for a mile to the dealer, completely without a clutch!
During training I had to drive without freewheel so as not to acquire unnotes. The freewheel was engaged and disengaged by turning a switch against the torpedo wall under the dashboard.
Catch up on the road
I wonder how few Saab 96s are left considering the great popularity it had. Both father and father-in-law drove Saabs for years. They enjoyed driving - and drove a lot.
About the pictures
The blue Saab has been observed in several places in Oslo (2019). It goes by the name "Åke Svensson" and is owned by Anette Nauf. The photos were taken at Fornebu. The red 1974 model with a rebuilt front was photographed at the Hobby Car Day at Hof in Vestfold. It is for sale (06.06.2020) at Finn.no - click here! The red 96 850 Sport is photographed during a car exhibition in Fix-hallen, Tønsberg. The olive green one is a 1973 model photographed at Hoftreffet, Hof in Vestfold. The red 2-stroke is photographed at a later Hoftreff.
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