1966 Saab 96

Our latest auction is one we’re a bit excited about because ‘LLM 16D’ is a rare ‘longnose’ Saab 96 that has been fully restored.

And it really has been fully restored because the work involved stripping the rusty barn-find completely down, shot-blasting the shell back to bare metal, repairing any rust that was found, and then rebuilding it with new panels as needed.

Not that it was simply a case of bolting on new panels because the boot floor, the wheelarches, and the front bulkhead are no longer available, so had to be fabricated.

The Saab was then resprayed before being refitted with new and refurbished mechanicals that include a reconditioned engine, the repair of which involved sending the crankshaft to the United States.

As you might be starting to appreciate, this was not a half-hearted job; it took the seller “three or four years” but it was worth it because our hard-nosed assessor rates the coachwork as being “very good!”

We’ll go into more detail about the rest of the car in later sections but if you’ve been looking for one of these, you’ll know how hard it is to find one that’s in such a remarkable, near-new condition.

The yellow bodywork is in great shape, isn’t it? With decent panel alignment from the mix of new and newly fabricated panels and a great sheen to the finish, great care has obviously been taken to get it right, even going to the trouble and expense of importing the chromed steel bumpers from Vietnam in 2018.

Other lovely details include a pair of Saab rear mudflaps, triangular wind deflectors on either door, black and silver raised-letter numberplates, twin Ford driving lamps, weather shields to the door locks, and extractor vents on the C-pillars; this is a very carefully considered car both by the factory and the restorer.

Further proof of this is the fact the Saab sits on a rather lovely set of ten-spoke alloy wheels, wheels that are not only in fine fettle and free of parking scrapes but are backed up by the presence of the original steel wheels should the new owner prefer to reinstate the factory car’s somewhat more understated look.

The alloy wheels are fitted with matching and good Goodyear Grand Prix S tyres too, and as we will never get tired of telling you, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for faults, the boot lid needs a firm hand to close it. We suspect this may just be that the new rubber seal needs time to compress as the boot lid aligns well within the aperture, even if it does sit a little proud.

Which leaves the only genuine faults as a very small dent at the leading edge of the offside rear wing, and some overspray on the glass.

Oh, and the arrows you can see Sharpied onto the doors show the direction you need to turn the key.

The interior was fully stripped out before being refitted, restoring anything that needed it along the way. The seats, for example, were built up with new foam before being recovered with new Conway 24 Ruby Fr fabric and grey vinyl, leaving them as comfortable and supportive as they are good looking.

The door cards have been trimmed to match too, and the overall effect is joyful.

Of course, it helps that the headlining is clean and taut, and that the flecked carpets are recent and unmarked.

Like the coachwork, the interior is stuffed full of Easter eggs for you to find including pod-style ashtrays in the doors, a steering column-mounted gearlever with a gorgeous wooden handle and a matching control on the other side, a ribbed rubber floor covering, red trim around the doors, and storage bins in the footwells; as we have come to know, Swedish design is as clever as it is aesthetically pleasing.

The boot is huge and very nicely trimmed. It’s also home to a tool kit and spares package in a lovely Saab-branded soft case, plus a full-size spare wheel under the false floor.

Please also note the carefully labelled two-stroke oil that makes it impossible for those of us new to two-stroke motoring to get the ratios confused.

As for stuff you might like to take a look at, there are some light stains to the seats, some pitting and rust to the instrument bezels, and the door-mounted armrests aren’t quite as good as everything else but that’s about all we can find to criticise.

The owner detailed the mechanical restoration for us, saying that “all the brakes were renewed, and the suspension and axle parts were shot-blasted and then powdercoated.”

There are too many invoices in the history file to list them all but it would be worth your time to go through them to understand how comprehensive the work was.

Rebuilding the two-stroke engine was a complex job that involved sending the crankshaft to the United States for reconditioning at a cost of $1,742. It was also rebored and fitted with Wiseco HP pistons and had the cylinder head refaced as part of the work.

Fuelled via a new fuel pump and new/old stock triple Solex 34W carburettors (£1,282), the work was completed in November 2022 and the car’s barely been run in since.

As you can see, the Saab’s 841cc three-cylinder engine starts very well, even from cold – and as you can hear, as a two-stroke it revs like a banshee and makes the most incredible sounds at either end.

Our man found the throttle to be “super sensitive” which may be how they are, but he thinks it may need looking at.

As for the cosmetics, the engine and underbonnet area is as beautifully designed and presented as everywhere else. Take a look at the brass radiator for example, or the freshly painted air filter casing, and the numbered cylinder head bolts.

There are some paint runs at the top of the bulkhead but that that is the extent of the flaws we can see speaks volumes.

The underside is painted, allowing you to appreciate how solid and neatly repaired it is. You can also feast your eyes on the new exhaust system, the many new fasteners and bushes, and the powdercoated suspension.

The 96 comes with a spares package that includes a spare engine, a towbar, three Solex carburettors, miscellaneous gaskets, brake discs, and workshop manuals. Please see the photos for details.

The Saab doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The car comes with three keys, an owner’s manual, and two workshop manuals. Lots of invoices too, plus that comprehensive collection of spares.

With the guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000 representing only a fraction of the time and money invested in it, this beautifully restored Saab 96 offers the canny enthusiast a lot for the money.

And for those of us who hadn’t previously considered ourselves two-stroke enthusiasts, this little 96 may have turned us to the dark side because we’re not sure the quietness and civility of a four-stroke engine will ever hold the same appeal again.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.