First time I became aware of that car was in a Road and Track road test. I thought it was one of the ugliest, weirdest cars I'd ever seen.
Fast forward about seven years, I had read a few times that it was renowned as a rally racer in Europe, also excellent in frozen lake races up around the Arctic Circle. I'd like to see the tires they used for that.
One day, I walked around a corner in OlyWA and there was one on a used car lot for $700. I did a test drive, it was a lot of fun, I bought it.
I've learned a lot with that car. The original engine was a three cylinder two stroke, you added oil to the fuel, it had a built-in free wheel capability, which you had to use while watching the temperature gauge, it was possible to overheat the motor severely. I never drove one of those, never even saw one. I don't think they came to the US very much.
Mine had a small V4 made by European Ford, largely used in forklifts. I heard that they kept the same clutch and transaxle used by the two-stroke three cylinder - 841 cc, 38 to 40 hp. I like the look of the older models better. The radiator looks cool in a retro way. As soon as I get Jay Leno Garage money, I'm going to get one of those and somehow put in a Honda K 20 engine and drivetrain upfront. I'll let you know when I get that project completed.
Apparently, the transmission/clutch really wasn't sufficient for the incredible power from the V4 - 1.5 L, 68 hp, and something was always going wrong. I owned these two guys for about six years, I had the engine/transaxle assembly out nine times. I got pretty good at it. One time, I got home from work, pulled the whole thing, put in a new clutch, and hit the road that night to go visit family. I just now tiptoed down memory lane, this one looks a lot like mine. This car was a poor man's Porsche.
https://youtu.be/vlXKVYMms_s?si=SiP_d6_tNpoJ51Mr
Oops, very important edit, it just occurred to me that I should inquire with the greater automotive world whether or not the K20 would work in a 96. I got what sounded like informed feedback that it would be very difficult, not really practical. Not enough room to fit that engine in their sideways. The K20 is, of course a sidewinder. The Saab is inline with an extremely short engine in front of the axle. I'm reading that the best way to go is to put an in-line four-cylinder in the backseat area. Turn it into a mid engine car. Here's a brief part of what I found.
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In the Saab community, if the V4 is being replaced, builders tend to use Volvo longitudinal engines (B20/B23) or Saab's own B202/B204 engines, which fit the longitudinal layout better.
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