The Saab 93 and 96 may be what enthusiasts think of when remembering the original Quirky Saabs, but the 1968 Saab 99, the company’s first “executive car” started a styling trend that would last decades.
Fear not, as this car still has quirks! The ignition is, of course, on the center console. This car also has a freewheel, allowing the engine to spin faster than the transmission. This was originally done for the two-stroke Saabs, for which engine braking was bad due to lubrication using an oil/gas mixture. Here, it was not required and only lasted a couple model years before phaseout.
The seller claims only about 87K miles on this car, and the condition seems to support that. The driver’s seat needs attention, but I don’t see the need for much else. If it checks out, this could be a fun, quirky driver for the right kind of enthusiast.
Click for Craigslist ad
Lancaster, CA
$6,000
The seller chose angles and distance for the photos poorly, but you can still see the classic Saab lines. This car brought about Saab styling that would be around for at least a couple decades.
Front is probably the least quirky view.
Rear is very Saab. Bumper overriders and mud flaps fit perfectly here.
Hood opening was forward on these cars, but without the cool forward slide of later Saabs.
Interior is all business – simple gauge layout and everything within easy reach on the thin dash.
Head restraints show typical Swedish safety leadership. Seat could use a recover.
Passenger seat is in good shape and this is our first look at the shifter.
Most importantly, here is the center console ignition! Can someone identify all of the other levers? Choke I understand, but I’m not sure what else is going on.
Here is the Triumph-sourced, 1.75L I4. This is awfully conventional for a Saab at the time.
Ad text:
1970 SAAB 99 IN SAVANNA-BEIGE WITH BLUE VINYL INTERIOR. THIS CAR IS ALL ORIGINAL EXCEPT IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RE-PAINTED IN THE ORIGINAL COLOR. THE CAR DRIVES EXCELLENT AND PURRS LIKE A KITTEN. THERE IS NO SMOKE OR EVIDENCE OF OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR WILL DRIP A DROP OF OIL 3 OR 4 TIMES A MONTH. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WELL, ALTHOUGH ITS A LITTLE NOTCHY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. EVERYTHING WORKS ON THIS CAR INCLUDING THE “FREE WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL”, THIS FEATURE WAS ONLY OFFERED IN 1969 AND 1970 MODELS. THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF IN A FEW AREAS(SEE PHOTO). THERE ARE A FEW DINGS ON THE CAR, BUT IT IS RUST FREE AND VERY SOLID. THE CLOCK AND RADIO AS WELL AS THE DOME LIGHT DON’T SEEM TO WORK, BUT I HAVEN’T CHECKED TO SEE IF ITS A FUSE OR LOOSE WIRE OR BULB. YOU WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A BETTER RUNNING, MORE ORIGINAL 1970 SAAB 99 WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. CAR SPENT MOST OF IT’S LIFE IN SAN JOSE. IT MOVED TO SALT LAKE CITY AROUND 2007. IT MOVED TO NEVADA IN 2013 AND BACK TO CALIFORNIA THIS YEAR. THE INTERIOR IS IN ALL ORIGINAL GREAT SHAPE, THE DRIVERS SEAT IS RIPPED AND THE DASH HAS A CRACK AND PATCH.(SEE PHOTOS)
CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS BACK TO 2007 AND THEY SHOW CONSISTENT SERVICE. CAR WAS USED AS A DAILY DRIVER IN 2013 AND WAS VERY RELIABLE. HEADLIGHTS WERE UPGRADED TO TYPE H4 AND REALLY LIGHT UP THE ROAD.
THESE CARS WERE AHEAD OF THIER TIME. COMES WITH A SET OF NON-BRUSH GUARD BUMPERS AND DASH MAT AND REPAIR MANUAL.