what would it be like to own/run one of those little old v4 saabs??

[N Dentressangle]

I had one at university. It was 'India Yellow' or 'orange' in reality, and looked very much like this:

 

 

I loved it. It was dead easy to work on, with good access to most things and usually only a little carb or ignition fiddle needed anyway. The FoMoCo carb fitted is a bit crap, and probably best replaced with something less crap, but my student budget never allowed for that.

 

The exhaust did get replaced with a 2" straight through and Escort cherry bomb rear silencer, though.

 

35mpg ish, and OK at 70 meant that it took me everywhere an 18 yr old wanted to go. I sold it when I finished uni as I needed the cash, but I've often wished I'd kept it. It's probably the only one of my old cars I actually miss. BAB607M, wherever you are.

[Guest Hooli]

BAB607M is currently SORN & no MOT details stored. Looks like a good thing as it'd have to have been re-registered as MOT exempt to show like that which means it still exists.

[Squire_Dawson]

I didn't know these had a Ford engine. They kept that one quiet.

[HMC]

Saab certainly went shopping around a fair bit for a replacement for the 2 stroke in the late 60s. The engineering consultancy Ricardo recommended a derivative of the triumph slant 4 for the 99 that through various iterations only stopped production in 2009 (!)

[Squire_Dawson]

Just remembered, here's one from the archive. Spotted in Gosport a couple of years ago.

 

 

[Asimo]

I didn't know these had a Ford engine. They kept that one quiet.

Here it is in it's natural home

http://autoshite.com/topic/32751-ebay-tat-volume-3/page-4503

[Marm Toastsmith]

I've had two, a 95 and a 96. I liked them both very much. The 96 died back in the late 90s, I sold the 95 a few years ago, with some regret, but hey, you can't keep 'em all. They shouldn't be too expensive IMO, although as per most classics there seem to be plenty of overpriced shiny examples on the market. You ought to be able to pick up a usable car for less than 2 grand.

 

They are very well built, quick enough, and fun to pilot. Pretty practical for their age IMO. The V4 makes a great noise and the column shift is fun. Gearboxes are fragile but otherwise robust cars. Get one bought.

 

 

[N Dentressangle]

BAB607M is currently SORN & no MOT details stored. Looks like a good thing as it'd have to have been re-registered as MOT exempt to show like that which means it still exists.

 

Yes, I looked it up a couple of years ago and it was still around, although listed as 'red'. If it's lasted this long then hopefully it's survived - I keep waiting for the dilemma of it popping up on Ebay!

[chaseracer]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-96-V4-fuel-injected-jenvey-sport-and-rally-one-of-a-kind/173523719100?hash=item2866d1d3bc:g:YB0AAOSwMzVbk-Kv

 

HHHHNNNNNNGGGGGGG.......!!!!!

 

#FAP

[captain_70s]

I think:

 

A - It'd be amazing to own/run one of those little v4 Saabs

B - You should own/run one, as it'd be amazing.

[bigfella2]

As a couple have mentioned the gearboxes are fragile, but I heard you can't really get any spares for the box. And because of that good used box's are a nightmare to find. Is that true?

[Saabnut]

As a couple have mentioned the gearboxes are fragile, but I heard you can't really get any spares for the box. And because of that good used box's are a nightmare to find. Is that true?

 

Not really. There is one bearing in the box that is unobtanium but it is rare for that one to be dead. You do need a jig to strip/rebuild them properly though. Secondhand gearboxes can be found without too much hassle and whilst not as cheap as they used to be, they are not too bad either

[bolognasal spray]

You ought to be able to pick up a usable car for less than 2 grand.

 

If I could find one for that I'd be on it like a bonnet.

 

Hell, I could probably go 4k if needs be. Do not want shiny. Paint must be oxidised to buggery. I'm not a polisher - nor even a washer. More oily rag and underseal, if that.