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Saab 99 roll call

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turbo_nine

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Picked this one up yesterday.... 300,000 miles...
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And this one has been around for a bit, changing hands but still under my care.
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Both have 110hp 2 liter motors, the second one has a quick ratio rack and other 99EMS goodies. The above one may get them shortly... with only 2400lbs or so, they're a hoot to drive.

Who else in here has one?
 
#5 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (GTi TDi)

My uncle had a 99 GLS, believe it was a 77 or 78. It literally broke! The rear axle mounts were so rusted out that one day, they broke off! That didnt stop him, he had a couple more 80's 900s after that one.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (PerL)

He might have had a Belgian-built 99. Those were notorious for rust.
They did make 99 turbos in 1978, and they were damn cool. I have a line on a turbo engine for mine, but I think I would rather put a header and a wild cam on it, seems it would more suit the character of the car than a turbo, which I get my fill of anyway. If I really wanted to I suppose I could throw a spare 16 valve turbo engine in... but those are pretty insane.
Searching for a nice image of a 99 Turbo...
 
#8 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (A4Jetta)

The 99's were fun cars. I had a friend with a '77 EMS, that was an interesting little car.
We nearly ended up with a 99 before buying our first Saab, a late '79 900 Turbo 5 door, in early 1980.
 
#9 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (turbo_nine)

turbo_nine, looks like it's in real nice condition! We'll have to talk. I'm in the (slow) process of repainting mine (still Sunset Orange). Love these to death!
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rub strip removed, fiberfill applied:
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restoring my Soccerballs:
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Are you gonna go to the Saab convention in Hershey?
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (saaboo)

The body is actually not so good, it was given to me by a mechanic who is very picky about rust and had discouraged his customer from driving it. Customer then gave it to him for parts, but I'm the only one he knows with a 99 anymore. So after getting the word I went down and picked it up. The interior is nice save for the headliner, and the engine (for all its alleged miles) is smooth and quiet. It's definitely been maintained well.
If I keep it, it's getting some 900 alloys (15-spokes probably), the spare EMS rack and a 900S wheel and a new driver's seat web. More if I go nuts or sell off some of the newer cars.
I know there's a guy in Dorset VT with a mint 99 Turbo in silver. Looks like this one. I should probably go see what he's got on hand.
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#11 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (turbo_nine)

weren't the 99s the last of the saabs with the "free-wheeling" transmission?
i've never driven such a beast (free-wheeling that is) but i heard they are not exactly the most fun thing in the world...
the 99s were well past the 2-stroke era though right?
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Re: Saab 99 roll call (010111)

I think '69 and '70 99s with the 1.7l Triumph had freewheels installed. Wasn't much need for them. Not sure when the last two-strokes were used, but I think it was the mid-sixties. They had switched over to the Ford V4 completely by then.
And I'll most likely be at Hershey, but I have no idea which car I'll drive. Hopefully the 9000...
 
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turbo_nine
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