SAAB 96 1,5 V4 — 1972

The car was sold new at Saab-Ana in Linköping at the turn of the year 71-72. A lucky owner became an engineer at Saab in Linköping. This man drove the car approximately 51,000 km until 2012, when the current owner purchased it. The current owner has since driven the car about 14,000 km to meet-ups and other pleasure drives. The car is very well-preserved and everything is in incredible condition. An America front and Sonett wheels are fitted, but the original front and wheels are included.

• Mechanical condition

  Not much to say about this other than one is impressed by the well-preserved condition. The engine runs quietly and smoothly and has a wonderful pull. All other mechanics are in the same condition.

• Interior condition

  Fine seating surfaces have had slipcovers throughout the years. There is a very tiny tear in the headliner above the interior lighting, barely visible. Floor mats, both fabric and rubber mats (Saab original), are in very good condition, as are the door panels and dashboard.

• Exterior condition

  Very nice gloss in the paintwork. Nice repainting of parts of the body but with a slight color shade. Also, glass, chrome, and trim are in good condition.

• General condition

  Swedish engineering from the early 70s. As was often the case, Saab went its own way and designed the 96 with a background in its history as an aircraft manufacturer.

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2012-03-20
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1971-12-29 (typbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1971-12-29
Senast godkända besiktning: 2021-05-20
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 2

I have driven this fine car about 14,000 kilometers in the 12 years I've owned it. It has brought great joy to me and to many others as it has been showcased at numerous exhibitions and motor meets.

Compared to its predecessor, the Saab 96 had a larger and more powerful engine, a new rear end with a larger rear window, a new dashboard, a roomier trunk, and a more spacious rear seat that made the car a five-seater. In 1965, a 'facelift' occurred where the car received a more modern front. The front was also extended to make room for a larger engine. At the same time, the radiator was placed in front of the engine, instead of behind it, as it had been in the Saab 92, which used thermosyphon cooling (without a water pump).

A 1.2-liter straight-four engine began development. Various existing engines from other manufacturers were also tested, including the Volvo B18, but Saab instead had the opportunity to use the V4 engine from Ford, which was available in the Taunus 15M, among others. The V4 engine was shorter and fit better in the engine bay than the other options. Interestingly, Ford in the USA had purchased 20 Saab 96s and installed their newly developed V4 engines to test the engine in a small front-wheel-drive car. However, that project never materialized in the USA and was instead used for the European market in the Taunus 15M. Some of the approximately 20 test cars were sold back to Saab, allowing them to test the V4 engine.

Initially, the company's management was not in favor of abandoning the two-stroke engines, despite the new engines offering lower fuel consumption and better performance. The engineers then went to the Wallenberg family, Saab's owners, and presented their plans. This made a difference, and in secret, a few people within the company began planning the change. Already by the 1965 models, the front end had been extended to accommodate the larger and heavier engine. No information about the V4 was allowed to leak, as it could hurt sales of the two-stroke models.

The V4 arrived with the 1967 model year and enabled continued sales after a sales crisis caused by the outdated two-stroke engine. The two-stroke engine remained as an option until 1968 when it was completely replaced by the V4 engine. However, lower power, higher fuel consumption, and the need for oil-mixed gasoline made the two-stroke less appealing to buyers. As a result, a number of unsold 1966 cars were brought back to the factory to have their engines swapped for the V4.

A legacy of the two-stroke engine was that all 96s had a freewheel feature. This was introduced to protect the two-stroke engines from damage caused by engine braking. If the engine continues to rotate without fuel supply, it doesn't get enough lubrication, as the oil is mixed with the gasoline. With the V4 engine, that reason for using freewheeling was gone, but many drivers appreciated the ability to shift gears without having to press the clutch pedal.

Location: Katrineholm

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Peter Forslund

peter.forslund@bilwebauctions.se

Collection must take place before: 2024-11-07.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.