Cars of Coolhaven

I have posted a 25th anniversary edition of the Saab 96 here already, but this much earlier first model is so much nicer, I just have to post it! And, if I plagiarize my own post correctly; The Saab 96 was in its days renowned for its rallye driving capabilities. Back in the early sixties, the victories of for instance the Rallye Monte Carlo of drivers as Erik Carlsson, and successes of Tom Trana and Simo Lampinen laid a very thorough foundation beneath the success of this car. Quite a nice car!

Project 93C, as it was known within Saab, culminated in the announcement of the new Saab 96 at a Stockholm press conference on 17 February 1960. The Saab 96, featuring a new 841cc, 38hp three-cylinder two-stroke, was well received and proved popular. Capacity was increased to 50,000 units and the popular 96 opened up new markets for Saab.

The 96 was not completely new – the front was relatively unchanged from its predecessor, the 93, but the rear was extensively redesigned to incorporate a 117% larger rear screen, a wider backseat, larger baggage compartment, a new fuel tank and larger rear lights.