Saab 96
The Saab 96 was an automobile produced by Saab and was introduced in 1960 and manufactured until 1980. This 20-year-run was an upgrade of the Saab 92 chassis and the improvements and modernizations it comprised helped open new markets for the car maker. It was also the first Saab model to be officially imported to the United Kingdom.
The Saab 96 featured a wishbone and coil spring setup for the front suspension, while the rear suspension had a trailing U-beam axle along with coil springs. Telescopic dampers effectively balanced the four wheels. Initially, all four wheels had drum brakes, though later models had disc brakes in the front.
Not much differed from the body of the Saab 93, although the rear was updated in 1960 to get extra trunk space. The 'bull-nose' front end of the 96 was lengthened in 1965 in anticipation of the new engine, with the radiator moved to the front of the car. In 1968, the front and rear windows were enlarged. The 99 was released in 1969, intended to take the 96's place, but the latter continued until 1980, with the longer 900 being released in 1979 and taking over for the 99 four years later. Saab's even larger car, the 9000 was soon to come out in 1985.
The 96's initial engine was a 750 cc, 38 hp (28 kW) three-cylinder two-stroke engine from Saab. That number was increased to 850 cc, 40 hp for the longer-nose cars. An optional 57 hp version was used for the Sport and Monte Carlo models. 1967 saw the emergence of the 96V4, including a Ford four-stroke 1498 cc V4 engine, which began to be implemented in the 1962 Ford Taunus 12M. This specific engine increased the power to 65 hp (48 kW). From 0-100 km/h, the car could reach this distance in only 16 seconds. Options for both the two-stroke and four-stroke engine continued until 1968.
Initially, the 96 had a three-speed gearbox, though soon after a four-speed option was offered and the three-speed phased out. The two-stroke engine additionally had a freewheel program to help with overrun problems.
The Saab 96 also was offered as a station wagon (estate) version, sold as the Saab 95.
The Saab 96 was particularly popular in the motor sport world because of its safety innovations. Most notably, Erik Carlsson drove the 96 in many international rallies, victorious in the 1960, 1961, and 1962 RAC Rallies as well as the 1962 and 1963 Monte Carlo Rallies. This success of the 96 put the car "on the map" and established it as a reliable and sturdy vehicle. Per Eklund, Tom Trana, Stig Blomqvist, and Carl Orrenius are also associated with the Saab 96.
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