This is my 1969 Saab 96 Rally car. It came to me in bad shape, mostly gutted, but I decided to rebuild it to use it as track day car. Maybe I will even take part in some hobbyist race some day.
This car has some documented rallying history from the 1970’s.
The car has now been fully rebuild with a 1800 cc engine, new Ford SOHC/Pinto pistons, cross-flow intake manifold with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburetors. Gearbox is “folk race” variant, with long 1st and 2nd gears. Full Mexico brackets and sump guard. Exhausts are routed rear of the engine compartment. Also full safety cage and racing seats and belts. Electronic fuel pump. Suspension has also been hardened.
Some project posts of building the car:
- Saab 96 Rally 1969 For Sale
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – Slippery when wet – track day video
- Extra driving lights for the Saab 96 Rally
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – First start!
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – Engine build moving forward
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – a slight delay and some protection for the carburettors
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – Fitting the Saab 99 radiator
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – engine build part 3.
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – engine build part 2.
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – engine build part 1.
- Saab Sport&Rally Grille restoration
- Garage improvement – part 2
- Garage improvement
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – more paint
- Saab 96 V4 Rally – paint
- Saab 96 Rally – a quick update
- Saab 96 Rally – Sump guard
- Saab 96 Rally – gearbox maintenance
- Saab 96 Rally – backup lights and gearbox
- Saab 96 Rally – A little update
- Saab 96 Rally – gas pedal mod
- Saab 96 Rally – Fuel pump upgrade
- Saab V4 Rally – miscellaneous stuff
- Saab V4 Rally – electrical system
- Saab V4 Rally – suspension, brakes, and dash underway
- Saab V4 Rally – working on the exhaust system, done!
- Saab V4 Rally – working on the exhaust system
- Saab V4 Rally – More paint
- Saab V4 Rally – Some new paint
- 96 Rally – Mexico brackets and some paint
- Saab 96 Rally – Fitting the roll cage and painting the interior
- 96 Rally body work done
- Saab 96 Rally 1969 – project advancing
- Saab 96 V4 Rally
Any Sonett projects?
No Sonetts. Cool cars though. Especially the two-stroke ones, but they are too small for me 😀
Impressing rebuild.Nice colors. Same as Gulf-oilcompany.
Love 96s. First car was a 68 96m with blue heads. Still have sonett rims and a walnut monte carlo steering wheel… maybe someday ☺
You have really done some great work on the v-4. I have owned and driven SAAB cars since the early 60’s GT 750′ to currently two Sonnett III’s. Looking for a V-4 96 to buy or a 93 body , whole car any condition.
Hi Tommi. Congratulations for your Blog! I have recently bought a 1968 Saab 96 V4, partially prepared for historic rallies. My intention is to reach a “fast road” stage (as the British say), expecting some 80 HP from the engine, and improve btraking, that I feel poorly consistent after having driven the car 1,000 kms. The car is fitted with a Safety Devices roll cage but unfortunately with modern rolling safety belts coming from a Saab 900.
I have two questions:
– what kind of harnesses did you fit on your V4 ? How did you fit them ?
– how to improve the brakes ? Any special pads available ?
Best regards
Pierre
Hi Pierre. Any four or five point racing harness will do. You only need road use approved if you are not racing. I suggest getting some good name brand harness like Sparco, OMP or Sabelt.
The brakes on the 96 are fine pretty much as is. Just put in new disks, calipers, pads and shoes. If you really want to you can get racing pads from Classic Saab Racing https://w78593.shop.textalk.se/en/saab-9596-v4/24/ but you need to understand they only start working properly when hot and are not recommended for normal driving.
Hi Tommi. Thank you for your reply and advice. What could I improve to reach 80 HP ? The carb is a Weber 34 fitted with a K&N round air filter. The exhaust system is a Simmons.
I’m looking for replacement cylinder heads for my Saab 95 V4. Could you help please? I have the first model (jan 67 – model number: 88 10 161) – could you maybe help please?