Choice of the day: 1972 Saab 96

I’ll say it before I’m one of those weird people who love Saab cars. I have seven models over the years and people who love Saab do differently. Their cars are different from all other automakers and tend to offer rather innovative features before other manufacturers. They are also fun to offer good performance and practicality in a unique styling package.

Additionally, Saab has achieved great competitive success on the World Rally Stage, and driver Erik Carlsson is their most famous. Carlsson is nicknamed “Carlsson-on-The-The-The-Frave” because his habit is sometimes rolling Saab rally and getting wheels in the air. Despite these misfortunes occasionally, Carlson scored many victories on Saab, including at the Monte Carlo Rally, and in 1962 and 1963 he won first place in 1962 and 1963 while driving the Saab 96.

ClassicCars.com’s day draft pick was Carlsson who won not only in Monte Carlo, but also in the Czech Republic, San Remo and Acropolis Rallies: 1972 Saab 96, located in Farmingdale, New York.

The seller described this Saab 96 as being painted in dark green interiors with web green. The last ownership installed a 1.7-liter V4, along with 15-inch SAAB factory “football” alloy wheels and Hella Auxiliary Lights. The car is said to have been repainted in Volkswagen Network Green in 2005 and is equipped with chrome-plated bumpers, Yakima roof rack, sound-cleaning insulation, cabin heater and front bucket seats, and decorated with green vinyl.

The list says this SAAB 96 shows 58,877 miles. It also has a lower breastplate styling, pop-up rear window and chrome bumper with black rubber unloader, as well as double side mirrors and Yakima roof rack. The hood is said to have been repainted in 2020. The interior features front bucket seats and a green vinyl rear bench. Acoustic insulation is already installed under the green carpet. Other amenities include heated driver’s seat, lockable glove box and crank-operated windows. The seller revealed that there were some cracks in the lower seat cushion and some flaws in the dash vinyl near the glove box.

The two-spoke steering wheel is connected by the column device’s gear lever and the VDO 8K-RPM tachometer. Other instruments include a 100 mph speedometer and a combined meter for coolant temperature and fuel level. The engine is equipped with Pertonix electronic ignition and Weber carburetor. The power supply is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed manual drive axle with freestyle wheels and an aftermarket exhaust is installed under previous ownership.

These SAAB 96 cars are pretty cool, especially when equipped with a Ford V4. This is the right engine the Saab uses in later 96 cars, replacing the original 2-stroke engine. While many people think the 2-stroke engine is cool, I hope it’s a different one. I drove two versions of the 96 version, and the V4-equipped car is not only much faster, but it is less troublesome and more durable, and not even as annoying as a car with a Type 2 engine.

This does look like a decent example of the Saab 96, and I personally like this color. Based on the photos and some modifications, I had to guess that real Saab enthusiasts owned this car for years, which was a big selling point for me. No, this car isn’t perfect – but it looks like a very tough and solid example. In any case, it’s hard to find the SAAB 96, which looks like the perfect entrance to the old-fashioned Saabs world.

This car is perfect for use in old-fashioned gathering events, such as the Copperstate 1000. I can almost guarantee you will be the only one who has a SAAB 96 – it’s an admirable level of exclusivity at a very low price.

The 1972 SAAB 96 asked for a very fair and market-corrected $23,900. If you are the collector type who doesn’t want to follow the crowd and buy the standard car everyone else uses, this Saab 96 is just a ticket.

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