A Saab Story

The 96

As the 1960s hit Saab finally a slight variation to the original 92 was released. The Saab 96 was similar if not the same as the 95 with its only difference was its sales numbers. This was the first Saab to be sold in such exorbitant numbers internationally. The Saab 96 was sold abundantly with ridiculously high production figures of 547,221. That was double all (92, 93, 95) prior production numbers combined. It was also the first of Saabs four-cylinder V4 engine with 65 enormous horses. The first of Saab’s new generation of cars to have a below 20 second 0-60 time, clocking in at slightly over 13 seconds. Exciting stuff I know. However, ignoring my own sarcastic tone for a second this car, with its new Ford engine block, actually had a tolerable hum. Not the same can be said for the two and three cylinder Saabs which sounded like an untied balloon flying through the air. After hearing a few of the three and two cylinder 96s they are brain rattling at almost any speed. Therefore 96 brought Saab into the future of international mass sales, and in doing so truly revolutionised the brand of Saab as after this it merged with Scania. So ensued what I, in my not so humble opinion, mark as the golden era of this Swedish car brand. 

The 92

Saab’s first production car hits the road. Powered by a whopping 25hp with a two-stroke engine, and yet it was a truly magnificent piece of design. Although we can all agree it might not be the most beautiful car nor the fastest car for sure, it was designed to purpose and it exceeded in that regard. How you might ask can this average, rather underwhelming car mark the beginning of Saab? Well, the Swedish company built it to scale the rocky, icy, and altogether treacherous roads of it’s home country in all seasons. This car staggeringly had a “better drag coefficient” that the Ferrari F40. Yes, you read that right, it cuts through the air better than a Ferrari and not just any Ferrari, one of the most iconic cars ever released. To prove its supreme built quality Rolf Mellde competed in the Swedish Rally championships, and with its first EVER production car it came second in class. But that was only the start, it also won the woman’s class in the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1952. It was beginning to stand ahead of its competition making the name Saab more common. This set the scene for Saab to enter the booming car industry of the late 20th century. The 92 with adaptations was on the manufacturing line until 1957. From here they created the 93 which was all but the same bar it gaining a cylinder. 92 to 93 gives it away in the name. What could be next? Could Saab continue its success in the booming car industry of the late 20th century?

We are not going to dive into the Sonnet variation of Saab just yet. That deserves its own unique story.Let’s move onto the more mainstream Saab models.

Saab Scania

The 99

When you imagine Saab this is the shape most associated with it. That iconic 90° bodywork with a cross of estate and hatchback. The best of both worlds. Initially, this car was simply the younger brother of the 96. The first 99 hit the road in 1968, same concept but in fancier clothes. It had a similar four cylinder engine designed and built by Triumph in a different configuration being an inline four. Like any Triumph it sounded brilliant and ran intermittently Saab had reliability issues for the first time since its inception. However, it upgraded nonetheless the first edition 1.7l inline four produced 95 well thoroughbred english ponies.  Still below that golden three digit horsepower figure, but regardless the reviews were excellent.