https://petrolicious.com/blogs/articles/swedish-surrealism-this-saab-96-has-been-chopped-widened-and-reborn-atop-modern-mechanicals?srsltid=AfmBOor21KSvY9MomyfH-bJcS7wcJ_HYklPbtz1KbH3eHOw7rTlYp58l

I owned a couple of the old Saabs from the 60s with the V4. First a 96 sedan, bought that about 1975, second a model 95 wagon after my sedan got totaled, I collected a good payment. The sedan especially was a fun car. This looks like a nifty ride.

It would be quite the investment to pull this off. I'd say it's unlikely to be in my future.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Your time travel skills are impressive, care to share?

96 is the model designation. It was vintage 1967.
95 is the model name/number for the station wagon version.

If I had meant to imply the year of our Lord 1996, I would have written it thusly:

'96.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I've never touched a SAAB, and it shows

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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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I am a big fan of Saab, but have never owned one. The b207s shared a lot of R&D with the GM FI ecotecs, which are screamers (I have one in my sky, somewhere in the ballpark of 330-350hp).

Even in the later GM days, saabs were still quirky -- the 9-5 was remarkably handsome in particular. Don't see too many anymore. A bunch of guys I rallycrossed with were (former, I guess) saab techs and would always bring rally prepped 99s and early 900s, really neat.

Shame they met such a demise, we could use more weirdness in modern cars.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

...had 2 99s fun to drive. after a couple clutch and a pilot shaft i went ...back to
benzs.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I left out a small chapter in my Saab history between seeing the odd looking 96 in R&T mag around 1968 and buying one in 1976. My dad bought a 99 when they were a fairly new model, this had to be about 1971. It was easily the fastest, most sporty car I'd ever driven. Which tells you a little bit about my history. It would jump up to 80 or 90 on the freeway very easily. The handling and braking were outstanding. I couldn't tell you anything about the engine, I think they had two offerings at the time, the turbo didn't come out til about seven years later.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

The steering is perfect.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I remember driving a 9-3 convertible, with it being pleasant to drive. Unfortunately by then, Saab's ownership by GM had rinsed out most of the Saabness, and it really was just a rebodied Opel...