Estimate
€ 1.500 - 2.500
Sold
€ 2.562
The price includes buyer's premium
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Information
• Rally history icon.
• Eligible for Rallye Monte-Carlo Historic.
• Fast, comfortable and safe: ahead of its time.
Documents
Czechoslovakian papers for registration.
Elegibilty
Giro di Sicilia.
Targa Florio.
Goodwood Revival.
Rallye Monte-Carlo Historic.
Tour Auto.
Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti.
Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia.
Winter Marathon.
Nürburgring Classic.
Provenance
The Saab 96 is a car produced by the Swedish company Saab from 1960 to 1980. Evolution of the Saab 93, born in 1960 and produced until January 1980. Until 1967 it was powered by a 3-cylinder 2-stroke; from that year onwards from a 4-stroke V4. It is one of the few cars in the world to have been fitted with 2 such different types of engines. It was thanks to this model that the Swedish house Saab began to be known internationally thanks to an important series of successes in rallies both in the 2-stroke and 4-stroke versions. The most famous Saab driver was the Swedish Erik Carlsson, known as Erik "on the roof" for his tendency to overturn his Saab 96s during special stages, together with his wife Pat Moss (Stirling Moss' sister). The car was produced from 1960 to 1978 in Trollhättan in Sweden. At the time of launch the car had many details derived from the 93; the differences concerned the new, larger wraparound rear window and the dashboard and other interior details, including completely redesigned seats. Particular attention was paid to safety, in fact the body had zones with programmed deformation and was equipped with numerous reinforcements that prevented it from being crushed in the event of overturning. The split X brake and aviation seat belts, anchored to the seat, protected the occupants. The car was equipped with a completely new 42 HP longitudinal 3-cylinder 841cc 2-stroke (3% mixture) engine combined with a 4-speed gearbox with lever on the steering wheel. Between the 2 mechanical parts there was a disconnect freewheel mechanism that allowed the motor to be disconnected from the transmission. The particular suspension layout and rack-and-pinion steering made it suitable for sports use, especially in rallies. The first model from 1960 featured a weight of 861 kg and space for four adults. Two main options are available, the Saxomat semi-automatic clutch and the canvas sunroof. In 1965 the biggest modification of the two-stroke Saab 96 took place, in fact the whole front was modified and restyled both for an aesthetic and safety requirement. The new front also concealed a more powerful engine (40 hp DIN) for the basic version together with the hydraulic control for the clutch. A new cooling system with radiator in the front and a new more powerful heating for the passenger compartment was adopted on all versions. In 1966 the basic version got a new fuel system with 3 carburettors derived from the 96 Sport which increased the power to 48 hp (SAE) and allowed the use of 1.5% mixture. With this engine the 0-100 km/h was covered in 23 s. The 96 Sport, following the victories of the Monte Carlo Rally, changed its name to 96 Monte Carlo 850 adopting all the previous aesthetic changes and keeping the 52 hp (DIN) engine. In 1967 the 96 V4 1.5-liter four-stroke was introduced.
The car
The Saab 96 with chassis no. 374441 is an example with a two-stroke engine. The chassis number places it among the cars produced as the Monte Carlo 850 in 1966. The car is complete in all its parts but in mechanical and bodywork restoration conditions. Very in general order, although it needs to be restored, it has an original interior in excellent condition. It is an exceptional car to participate in vintage rallies and is eligible, among other events, in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historic. Reviews of the time praise the car's performance with the small engine that is always capable of revving and seems to have a larger volume, with a top speed of up to 160 km/h. Roadholding and active and passive safety are also praised, definitely ahead of its time. The car is of origin and with Czechoslovakian papers.
State of the Art
Complete. To be restored.