| Saab 96 | |
|---|---|
 1972 Saab 96 V4 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Saab Automobile |
| Production | 1960–1980 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Sixten Sason |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 2-doorsedan[1] |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Saab 95 Saab Granturismo |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,488 mm (98.0 in) |
| Length | 4,050 mm (159.4 in) |
| Width | 1,570 mm (61.8 in) |
| Height | 1,473 mm (58.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 873–950 kg (1,925–2,094 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Saab 93 |
| Successor | Saab 99 |
TheSaab 96 is anautomobile manufactured and marketed bySwedish automakerSaab from 1960 to January 1980, replacing theSaab 93. The 96 featured aerodynamic two-door bodywork, four-passenger seating and at first a two-stroke, three-cylinder engine, later a four-stroke V4.
Compared with its predecessor, theSaab 93, the 96 featured greater and more easily accessible storage space and a larger rear window. The front end was lengthened for 1965 models, in preparation for a new engine, and theradiator was placed ahead of theengine, rather than above and behind, a leftover from when earlier models hadthermosiphon cooling.[2] Both front and rear windows were enlarged slightly for 1968 models.[3]
The Saab 96 had alongitudinally mounted engine layout. As first designed, it had an 841 ccdisplacement, 38 PS (28 kW) three-cylinderSaab two-stroke engine. By 1965 this was increased to 40 PS (29 kW). An optional 52 PS (38 kW) version of the engine, with triplecarburetors and oil injection, was used in the Sport/Monte Carlo models. The additional power was obtained from a modified cylinder head and filled crankshaft counterweights offering higher overall compression ratio. For 1966 models, the standard 96 841 cc engine, using pre-mix oil, appeared with a three throat Solex carburetor in which the center carburetor handled start, idle, and low speed functions, increasing the power to 42 PS (31 kW). The same carburetor had been used in the Sport/Monte Carlo models. A common throttle shaft minimized carburetor synchronization problems.
In 1967, Saab began marketing the 96 V4, with theFord Taunus V4 engine, afour-stroke 1498 ccV4 engine, originally developed for the 1962Ford Taunus 15M.
Saab's project to source a four-stroke engine was dubbed 'Operation Kajsa'. The two-stroke option was offered until 1968. Four-stroke engines had been tested before — between 1962 and 1964 Kjell Knutsson and Ingvar Andersson underRolf Mellde tested three different engines: a 45 PSLloyd Arabella of 897 cc; a 33 hpBMC A-Series 848-cc engine and aLancia Appia engine of 1089cc and 48 hp. However Rolf Mellde's view that Saab needed to switch to a four-stroke engine was stopped higher up by CEOTryggve Holm. Mellde then went behind the back of Holm and made contact withMarc Wallenberg, son ofMarcus Wallenberg, Saab's major stockholder. The coup succeeded and testing could begin. The tested engines wereVolvo B18,Ford V4,Triumph 1300,Lancia V4 engine, Opel, Volkswagen andHillman Imp.
The B18 was the most reliable, but the Ford V4 was not far behind and was significantly easier to fit into the engine bay of the 96. The testing was done in secrecy.Per Gillbrand took a leave of absence and said he was going to run his father's paint shop. In reality he went toDesenzano in northern Italy with a 96 V4 prototype for testing. With five months to go before production only seven persons knew about the new engine. To maintain secrecy they rented a house west of Kristinehamn. To keep purchases of V4 specific parts secret they started a front corporation,MaskinverktygAB (meaningMachine-Tool Company). The ordinary purchase department at Saab was oblivious to what was going on, something that caused an incident when Rune Ahlberg cancelled the orders for cables for the two-stroke engine and the purchase department called the supplier and sharply told them to keep their deliveries. In the last week of July, just before the summer holidays, information about the new engine was released to further people and they were informed that full-scale production would start in four weeks. To keep secrecy, 40 of the ordinary staff were told to report to work to fix a problem with the disc brakes. Just prior to the official introduction, a journalist noticed a lorry loaded with 96s with V4 stickers on the front bumpers.[5]
The ordinary V4 engines produced between 1967 and 1976 had 65 PS (48 kW). Cars from the first year of production had engines with "Ford Motor Company" stampings. For the Swedish 1976 model year, the car - now known as the 96L - had its power reduced to 62 PS due to new Swedish emission regulations. However, the 1977-1980 models had 68 PS (50 kW),[6] due to a two-stageSolex 32TDID carburetor. These models were badged "V4 super".[7] The V4 96 managed 0–100 km/h in 16 seconds. In August 1975 (called "1975B" in Sweden as the less powerful engine was kept for cars marketed after the beginning of the new year, when the new emissions standards took effect), the car received new impact absorbing bumpers similar to those on the 99 and an altered bottom plate which allowed the rear seat to be moved 5 cm (2.0 in) further back.[8]
In the US, the two-stroke engine was called the "Shrike" in 1967 and 1968. Its displacement was reduced slightly for 1968, to 795 cc, to avoid emission regulations which exempted engines under 50 cu in (819 cc).[9] The V4s used in US cars had a 1500 cc high compression engine with 73 hp (54 kW; 74 PS).[9] For the 1971 model year it was switched to a 1700 cc low compression engine, so as not to lose power while meeting new emissions regulations.[10] Stated power dropped to 65 hp (48 kW; 66 PS) for 1972 as SAE gross figures were abandoned in favor of the lower net ratings. 1973 was the last year that the 96/95 were available in the United States.[11]
The Saab 96 and itsstation wagon sibling, theSaab 95, featuredcolumn mounted transmission levers. Thegearbox originally had three gears, the first unsynchronised. Later, a four-speed option, withsynchromesh on first gear, was offered and the three-speed was phased out.
An unusual feature of the Saab drivetrain was a 'freewheel' (overrunning clutch). This allowed the transmission to run faster than the engine, such as when decelerating, or descending a long hill. Although such freewheels had been provided in other cars before as an economy measure, such as some early post-warRovers and pre-warChryslers, they were required in the Saab because of the limited lubrication in the two-stroke engine. Apetroil-lubricated two-stroke requires lubrication according to its speed, but provides this lubrication according to the amount of its throttle opening. Where the engine operates at high RPM and low throttle (such as when coasting down a long hill), the lubrication provided may be inadequate. With the freewheel, a coasting engine could reduce its speed to idling, thus requiring only the small lubrication available from the closed, coasting, throttle.[12] In certain higher-performance models and in later two-stroke models, direct injection of oil into the engine from a separate reservoir allowed lubrication to be a function of engine RPM and rendered mixing of oil with gasoline unnecessary.[13]
Freewheeling was retained in the four-stroke variant, until the end of production and in theSaab 99 with the 1709 cc Triumph engine. A minor drawback to the freewheel, particularly for drivers unfamiliar with the Saab, is that it makesengine braking unavailable although it could be manually engaged or disengaged by a control in the foot-well. Fixed wheel disengagement, using the foot, could be difficult, as it involved pulling a 'T handle' intended for manual operation.[13]
The frontsuspension useddouble wishbones andcoil springs, while the rear suspension was a trailing U-beam axle with coil springs.Telescopic dampers were used for all four wheels. Up to model year 1967 models haddrum brakes all around. Starting 1967, with the coming of the V4 engine, models were fitted with frontdisc brakes.[14]
The Saab 96 was driven most famously byErik Carlsson, in many internationalrallies. His most famous successes were first in the 1960, 1961 and 1962RAC Rallies and first in the 1962 and 1963Monte Carlo Rallies. It was these successive, top-level victories that put the Saab 96 'on the map' and established its reputation for reliability and toughness. Carlsson also competed in theEast African Safari Rally, finishing second in 1964. Famous rallying names such asSimo Lampinen,Per Eklund,Pat Moss-Carlsson,Tom Trana,Stig Blomqvist andCarl Orrenius have also been connected with the Saab 96.
| No. | Event | Season | Driver | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  23rd International Swedish Rally | 1972 | Stig Blomqvist | Arne Hertz | Saab 96 V4 |
| 2 | 24th International Swedish Rally | 1973 | Stig Blomqvist | Arne Hertz | Saab 96 V4 |
| 3 | 26th International Swedish Rally | 1976 | Per Eklund | Björn Cederberg | Saab 96 V4 |
On August 16, 2011 a 1966 Saab 96 driven by Alex LaFortune set a new speed record at theBonneville Salt Flats for stock body production cars with 750 cc engines at 110.113 MPH.[15]
The last production date for the Saab 96 was January 11, 1980 (VIN 96806002814), the last VIN (96806002820) was produced on January 3, 1980.[16] These cars were built byValmet Automotive inUusikaupunki,Finland.
The Saab 96 was succeeded by theSaab 99, introduced in 1967,[17] and subsequently by theSaab 900, introduced in 1978.[18] A total of 547,221 were made. Its place at the Uusikaupunki plant was taken over by the similar sizedTalbot Horizon.[19]
The Saab 96 features on severalpostage stamps. A Monte-Carlo Rally Saab 96, driven by Erik Carlsson, appears on aSwedish stamp.
