Swede dream: Saab 96 at 60

The Swedish firm entered the UK market two years after compatriot Volvo and its aerodynamic offerings reflected its aviation expertise

Andrew B Roberts 3 July 2020 • 6:07am

The 1960 London Motor Show played host to the second car marque from Sweden to be available to British drivers. Volvo had appeared at the Earls Court exhibition centre in 1958, and two years later the display from newcomer Saab featured a radical-looking aerodynamic saloon with front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder engine. This was the car that could add new zest to motoring in the UK.

Svenska Aeroplan AB first considered building a car in 1945, one that would provide an alternative to imported small saloons. Front-wheel drive (a first for a Swedish car) would be suitable for winter driving in Scandinavia, while the two-stroke power plant was straightforward to produce.

Saab initially considered air-cooling of the engine but rejected that idea as it would not provide enough heat to warm the cabin in winter.

The 92 debuted at the end of 1949 when its transverse-mounted engine and drag factor of only 0.30 seemed eons removed from apparently mechanically similar Volkswagen Beetle. By 1955 the facelifted 93 featured a longitudinally-mounted 748cc engine, while in 1958 the GT750 featured seatbelts as standard equipment.

The 96 debuted in February 1960 and featured a larger rear window, rear extractor vents and an 841cc engine. Towards the end of the year, Saab released a handful of right-hand-drive prototypes to the British motoring press. The November 1960 edition of Motor Sport proclaimed the 96 possessed “considerable Individuality and Excellent Roadholding and Cornering Qualities”, while the advertisements promised “so many remarkable features it’s impossible to list them here”.

Full right-hand-drive production commenced in 1961 and at £855 2s 6d the 96 cost almost as much as a six-cylinder Ford Zephyr or Vauxhall Velox. However, it was favoured by young professionals who regarded a Morris Minor as cheaper but utterly conformist.

It also confounded many owners of “traditional” sports cars as Erik Carlsson drove a 96 to victory in the 1960, 1961 and 1962 RAC Rallies, as well as the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 and 1963. In 1964 the “Bullnose” 96 was succeeded by the “Longnose” version. Saab introduced the Ford-produced 1.5-litre V4 engine in 1966 and discontinued the two-stroke models in 1968, 12 years before the end of 96 production.

David Lowe has owned this 1962-built model for 10 years, and he finds the standard reaction varies from “My Dad had one!” to younger people photographing the Saab in amazement.

The transmission for 24 NPO is via a four-speed column gearchange with a freewheel. “This allows me to coast down a hill without using a clutch and change down without de-clutching, as well as not starving the motor,” Lowe observes.

As with all early 96s, the two-stroke engine makes a distinctive “ringing” noise, and Lowe points out that he has to “insert a small quantity of oil in the tank before adding petrol”, in the manner of two-stroke motorcycles. Many recall Saabs of the early 1960s being surrounded by a cloud of oily blue exhaust fumes as they negotiated the high street but, says Lowe, “this soon dissipates after a few miles”.

His 96 features the Reutter front seats from the high-performance Sport version, but otherwise the interior is standard. The famed Saab attention to detail is evident in a rear seat that is adjustable for height and the elaborate heater complete with side window demisters.

The 96 was also built from thicker metal than any contemporary British machine. Lowe remarks that he can shut the doors in a manner that would have the owners of certain models worrying about their front bumpers falling off.

Erik Carlsson (driving) and Stuart Turner after winning the RAC Rally in 1960 Credit: National MotorMuseum

The fact Lowe's 96 is used regularly is a testament to one of the great post-war small cars. It was the model that introduced British motorists to a then unfamiliar manufacturer. The styling transcends the vagaries of fashion and, most importantly, it could be depended upon on in all conditions.

While other drivers were wielding their starting handles or generally cursing Ford or BMC products, the 96 driver would indeed “Go Swift, Go Safe, Go Saab”.