Description
Saab 96 V4 | 1974
Highlights:
– 1.5-litre V4 engine, petrol, 4-speed manual transmission
– Original and complete example
– Imported from Sweden in 2005
– Long-term maintenance by a Saab specialist
– Fitted with an LPG installation
The private seller offers for sale this 1974 Saab 96 V4, powered by a 1.5-litre V4 engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Presented in a cheerful red with a red cloth interior, this is an original and complete example of Sweden’s most charismatic small car. It was imported from Sweden in 2005 by a Saab garage in the Netherlands, where it was also maintained for many years and fitted with an LPG installation. A few years ago the car was acquired by a Saab enthusiast with the intention of carrying out a full restoration, which never took place.
The car received a service at a Saab garage in April 2026 and was used for touring until the summer of 2026, when problems with the gearbox arose. The cause has not yet been determined, and the car is currently not driveable. The bodywork shows signs of age, including paint blistering around the window seals, as can be seen in the detail photographs. This makes it an honest, unrestored starting point for an enthusiast looking for a complete and original Saab 96 to bring back to the road.
The Saab 96 was launched in 1960 as a development of the Saab 93 and remained in production until 1980, a remarkable twenty-year run. Its aerodynamic, aircraft-inspired body reflected Saab’s roots as an aircraft manufacturer, and its strength and front-wheel-drive traction made it a formidable rally car. Erik Carlsson famously won the RAC Rally three years in a row and the Monte Carlo Rally twice in a 96, and later Stig Blomqvist continued that success with the V4 version, cementing the model’s place in motorsport history.
From 1967 the original two-stroke engine was replaced by the 1.5-litre Ford Taunus V4, a compact and robust unit that gave the 96 more torque, better refinement and greater everyday usability. Combined with the column-mounted gear change, front-wheel drive and the distinctive freewheel, the V4 gives the car a character all of its own. Today the Saab 96 is a much loved classic with a loyal enthusiast following and good parts availability, and an original, complete example such as this one forms a rewarding basis for a sympathetic recommissioning or restoration.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Condition of the interior
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Technical condition
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Overall condition
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
