1963 Saab 95

Saab 95 and 96 (Station Wagon and Saloon) 1959 - 1979

The Saab 95 (station wagon) and Saab 96 (saloon) are cars built in Sweden between 1959 and 1978. They were first seen in the UK at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1960, with the Saloon first offered for sale in the UK in October 1960 at an on-the-road price of £885, and the station wagon two years later introduced at £966.

Initially just fitted with a 3-cylinder, two-stroke, 841cc, water-cooled engine driving the front wheels, from September 1966 the Saab 96 gained the Ford Taunus V-4 four-stroke, 1498cc OHV engine, the Saab 95 gaining the option the following year.

In February 1962, the Swedish home market was offered the Saab Sport, a version of the 96 saloon with three carburettors, increased horsepower, a separate tank and oil pump, plus front disc brakes. In September 1963, a four-speed gearbox was offered as an option on the saloon (at a cost of £42), standard on the seven-seat station wagon and Sport.

In 1964, the car received a facelift, moving the headlamps to a full-width grille, and changing the position of the radiator from the rear to the front of the engine. Pendant-type pedals were added, and the car's overall length increased to 13' 8".

In October 1965, to commemorate the car's victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, the Saab Sport was renamed the Saab Monte Carlo 850. Other than an alternator replacing the generator, door trims becoming buttoned and different badging, the two cars are almost identical.

Although discontinued in the UK in December 1976, the Saab 95 and 96 continued to be manufactured for other markets until almost the end of the decade.

Today, Saab Sports are the most collectable variant due to their rarity and power, but are hard to find. Major issues with the car are corrosion, which can take hold almost anywhere. Cooling problems are also common, especially on earlier 'bullnose' cars, and electric fans are a sensible modern addition. Two-stroke engines tend to corrode if left for any length of time, and parts can be hard to find for them. Parts for V-4 Taunus engines are more plentiful but beware of early (1967/ 1968) engines as they had different heads. Gearboxes are notoriously weak and need regular oil changes to maintain good operation. Period alternatives include the Volvo 122 Amazon, the smaller Austin A35 and the Morris Minor 1000.