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Saab 96 (1960 – 80)
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Project 93C, as it was known within Saab, culminated in the announcement of the new Saab 96 sedan at a Stockholm press conference on 17 February 1960. Launched shortly after its 95 station wagon ‘twin’, the 96 is the car that took Erik Carlsson to a hat-trick of wins on the British RAC Rally and back-to-back Monte Carlo victories. Like ‘Mr Saab’ Carlsson, it helped put the Saab brand on the international map. And, like the 95, the even bigger selling 96 enjoyed an extremely long production run.
The front of the car was virtually unchanged from the 93, but the rear was extensively re-designed to incorporate a larger, wrap-around rear screen, a wider rear seat, a bigger trunk and larger rear lights.
By 1966, a 1.5-liter, 73 hp V4 engine, sourced from Ford, had replaced two-stroke power and more angular, ‘long nose’ front-end styling was introduced. The 96 followed an extensive development path similar to its 95 twin.
A total of 547,221 cars were produced.
Innovative features:
Through-flow interior air ventilation with exit ducts
Front seatbelts fitted as standard for Swedish market (from 1962)
Diagonally split, dual circuit brakes (from 1963)
Telescopic, collapsible steering column (from 1968)
Adjustable fore/aft rear seat location for Saab 96 (from 1975)
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