A weekend with the Saab 96

"Someone Else's Projects" (someoneelsesproject)
10/13/2013 at 22:53 • Filed to: Saab 96

My first weekend with this car is over, and I'm still very giddy about the whole ownership experience. Some observations:

-The column shifter is completely intuitive. Having the shifter so close to the right hand makes a whole lot of sense, and around town, where four speeds are more than enough, it's so much more natural than having a floor-mounted shifter.

-By modern standards, the V4 is woefully underpowered with its 60-odd horsepower; it has less than half the power-to-weight ratio of the last lightweight car I owned, a Toyota MR2 Spyder. I simply could not imagine how life would've been with the peakier and even less powerful two-stroke. Its only saving grace is that it is sufficiently torquey to give it some grunt in top gear, and although it's not going to take anyone off the line at a stoplight, it keeps up with traffic at sub-interstate speeds. It also has a nice lumpy idle that sounds much more manly than the car looks. I'm already doing research on V4 and straight-3 motorcycle engines that would fit in the engine bay.

-Little interior features make it eminently usable even in 2013. The heater is appropriately Swedish and will melt your eyeballs if you're not careful. The AM/FM radio works fine, and has five mechanical preset buttons. To save the battery, the headlights turn off with the ignition, a feature that that too many cars after its time didn't have. The roof has spot-welded rain gutters to direct water away from the windows, though the result is a small rust spot on one of the rear wings. It even has three-point seatbelts!

Suffice it to say that the honeymoon period continues. My mechanic gave it a clean bill of health when I brought it by, and they were impressed by the non-rusty condition of the undercarriage. Around town, people everywhere whip out their camera phones and give it thumbs-ups. Once I replace the dry-rotted crossply tires and fix a wonky transmission mount, this car will be ready for new adventures around Boston.

DISCUSSION (13)

marvthegrate > Someone Else's Projects
10/13/2013 at 23:02

I learned how to drive in a mid 60's v4 96 and my first car was a 69. I am desperately searching for a 67 or 68 850 or Monte Carlo stroker that I can turn into a classic rally car. Thanks for giving one a good home.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Someone Else's Projects
10/13/2013 at 23:10

Awesome car.

Have you seen the rally-prepped ones on Youtube? Amazing sound.

Someone Else's Projects > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/13/2013 at 23:38

Yup, those make a lovely snarl. At some point I want to unbolt one of my mufflers to see if I can get some of that sound from mine.

Stef Schrader > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 00:57

I told you this was an AWESOME idea!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 04:04

Sweet. Always good to hear people driving kickass old cars.

My Alfa switches off the headlights with the ignition, but none of the other cars we have do. Seems like such a simple thing I'm surprised more cars don't have it.

Jimmeney > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 05:17

I've just got one too! I put the tax in it today and it's going to be my daily.

Mine isn't so lucky in the rust department though, so it'll be a rolling restoration. I've been driving a Citroen Acadiane daily, so the Saab feels like racecar by comparison and has lovely amenities like synchro on first, insulation, carpet and hazard lights.

No stereo at all though, which I need to sort out, I don't want to cut holes anywhere for speakers, so I need to come up with a plan...

Someone Else's Projects > Jimmeney
10/14/2013 at 06:51

The speaker (singular) for mine is mounted in a bracket under the dash, so if you have or can find the hardware for that, you can get it taken care of without hacking things up. I may wire in an FM modulator into the existing stereo to give it some semblance of modernity, but beyond that I don't plan on doing anything to the stereo system.

Someone Else's Projects > Stef Schrader
10/14/2013 at 06:52

Yup, you were totally right!

Zac Estrada > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 08:52

Guess I would've thought that the V4 might've stood a chance against the relatively low curb weight, but there's only so much 60ish hp can do. Congrats on your car. Hope to see it around Boston

Jimmeney > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 08:56

Cheers for the info, I'll have a proper investigate! I just want something with an AUX cable, on my van I bought a cheap chinese amp and some pod speakers and mounted them behind my head so I could hear them.

I'm hoping to do something a little more refined that won't stand out too much - perhaps something along these lines: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-TS…

I find above 50mph, it gets quite loud in the cabin, so some decent speakers might be necessary if I'm going to hear anything!

I'm still finding out little features and getting used to the car's quirks, mine's quite a late one (1977) so has huge rubber bumpers and black grill.

Someone Else's Projects > Zac Estrada
10/14/2013 at 09:06

Apparently the curb weight is actually about 2100 lb, so though it's light by modern standards, it's not quite a featherweight. That's solid Swedish steel for ya.

wkiernan > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 09:36

I had a '67 Monte Carlo thirty-five years ago. Its 2-stroke 3-cylinder did make 60 HP in that trim with 3 carbs (an awesome carburetor-to-cylinder ratio of 1-to-1!). Since the I3 was lighter the car had better balance too. But I also used to drive my friend's 95 with the V4 and it was super nice! I wish I still had a 96. What a car!

A3R0 > Someone Else's Projects
10/14/2013 at 11:00

You truly are the man for getting one of these, so much want.