Saab 99
Saab's first larger-class car and last factory rally contender.
The Saab 99 is a car produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab from 1968 to 1984, representing the company's first entry into a larger class than the Saab 96. It was marketed as a niche compact executive car in most markets outside Scandinavia, where it was considered a large family car. The 99 was Saab's last factory rally car, appearing first in EMS guise and later as the Turbo version, and the Saab 99 Turbo is recognized as one of the first 'family cars' fitted with a turbocharger.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Saab Automobile
- Production
- 1968–1984
- Class
- Compact executive car (D)
- Predecessor
- None
- Successor
- Saab 90 / Saab 900
- Wheelbase
- 2473 mm
- Length
- 4340 mm (coupe)
- Height
- 1450 mm (coupe)
- Layout
- Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive
- Engine
- 1709 cc Slant-4 I4 · 1854 cc Slant-4 I4 · 1985 cc B I4 · 1985 cc H I4 (1982–1984)
- Transmission
- 4/5-speed manual / 3-speed Borg-Warner 35 automatic
- Designer
- Sixten Sason
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of the Saab 99 began with Project Gudmund, initiated by the Saab board on 2 April 1964. The first prototypes were built by cutting a Saab 96 lengthwise and widening it by 20 cm, creating a disguise called 'Paddan' (The toad). The car was unveiled in Stockholm on November 22, 1967. Early production used a Triumph-sourced 1.7 L four-stroke engine tilted at 45 degrees, later upgraded to 1.85 L, but reliability problems led Saab to develop its own 1985 cc B engine from September 1972. The 99 was built in Saab's Trollhättan Assembly and by Finnish Valmet Automotive from 1969 onward.
The 99 featured front-wheel drive with a reverse longitudinal engine, a front-hinged bonnet extending over the wheel arches, and a deep wrap-around windscreen. The chassis incorporated deformation zones for passive safety. US models had a special front fascia with four round headlights due to sealed beam requirements. The handbrake was on the front wheels, and the ignition switch was floor-located, locking the gear stick rather than the steering wheel. A three-door estate was planned but never produced; a five-door estate project was restarted in 1971.
Reader's Guide
The Saab 99 holds significance as Saab's first larger-class vehicle and its final factory rally car, competing in EMS and Turbo forms. The 99 Turbo is notable as an early turbocharged family car, following the 1962-63 Oldsmobile Turbo Jetfire, at a time when other turbocharged automobiles were specialized and difficult to drive. Contemporary reviews highlighted the 99's comfort, build quality, and the Turbo's acceleration: Australia's Wheels magazine noted in July 1978 that the Turbo was almost as fast between 60 km/h and 160 km/h in fourth gear as any five-seater in the world, while Popular Science wrote that the 2.0 L engine gave the car 'V8 agility'. The 99 was succeeded by the Saab 900, though it continued production alongside its successor until 1984, when the Saab 90 took over. Its legacy includes influencing Saab's later models and demonstrating the viability of turbocharging in practical family cars.
Did You Know?
- The first 99 body shell was badged 'Daihatsu' as a disguise, using letters from Saab Sport badging.
- The 99's bonnet wraps around covering the wheel arches, causing paint application issues for police livery.
- The ignition key could only be removed when reverse gear was selected.
- The 99 Turbo was ranked number two on Popular Mechanics' Top Ten list of turbocharged cars of all time.
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