Saab 96
The Saab 96 was an automobile made by Saab and was introduced in 1960. It stayed in production until January 1980 with 20 years of production run, and it was based on the preceding Saab 92 chassis with some improvements and modernisation. Saab 96 is the vehicle that first made the brand Saab known internationally, due to its standing for safety, coupled with its motor sport successes. This was also the first Saab model ever imported to the UK.
The front suspension was equipped with independent wishbones and coil springs, while the rear one possessed a trailing U-beam axle with coil springs and telescopic dampers on all four wheels, and the brakes were fitted with either drums or discs depending on the model. Compared to the predecessor, the Saab 93, the Saab 96 featured a revised rear end which provided more trunk space. Also in 1965, the 'bull-nose' front section of the car was extended to facilitate the installation of a new engine, and the radiator was moved to the front. As for 1968 models, both front and rear windows were enlarged.
The Saab 96 had a 750 cc, 38 hp (28 kW) three-cylinder two-stroke Saab engine which was increased to 850 cc, 40 hp in the long-nose car. The Sport and Monte Carlo models were equipped with an 57 hp version of the engine. In 1967, the 96 switched to a Ford four-stroke 1498 cc V4 engine, resulting in the car's power output rising to 65 hp (48 kW). This model could reach 0-100 km/h in 16 seconds. The two-stroke was kept as an additional option until 1968, and it was labeled the 'Shrike' in the USA, where its displacement was reduced to 841 cc to meet the emission standards.
The Saab 96 was paired with a three-speed gearbox, the first gear being unsynchronized. Later, a four-speed option became available. A freewheel device was also installed on both two-stroke and four-stroke engines to reduce the problems of overrun. An estate version of the car, named the Saab 95, was also offered to the customers.
Erik Carlsson was the most famous driver of Saab 96, successfully competing in several international rallies, including the three first places in the RAC Rally of 1960, 1961 and 1962, and in the 1962 and 1963 Monte Carlo Rallies. His success made the car famous for its reliability and durability. Together with Carlsson, other famous rally drivers such as Simo Lampinen, Per Eklund, Pat Moss-Carlsson, Tom Trana, Stig Blomqvist and Carl Orrenius were associated with the Saab 96.
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