Fully Restored/Rebuilt Engine/No Rust/Ford V4/Freewheeling Gear/New Paint

1968 Saab 96 Deluxe Description:

For consignment, one of the first Saab 96's to be imported into the US with the new Ford V4 engine which is a 4 stroke engine. This red painted bean was bought from an in process restorer with wide eyes larger than his abilities, so our consignor took it and gave it TLC. Today it runs great but sadly spends most of its time in a garage in Maine, far away from our restorers residence here in Pa where he spends most of his time. Our knowledgeable consignor has lots of pertinent info, only some of which I will convey in this description, but you are buying it from a very intelligent and thoughtful restorer who did his utmost to retain much of its originality right down to the freewheeling plastic and working pedal. ( A first for this test driver/writer.) So join me on this description journey.
Exterior
Starting with stripping and totally repainting it is now bathed in "Arrest Me Red!", ( Thanks Hagerty!). A total stripping and any body work was completed prior to the painting. All new rubber seals were then installed. Some previous rusted rear shock mounts, ( a common problem with these cars), was remediated with new metal inserts and are stable and strong. The front of the car has beautiful chrome with an Alfa Romeo styled vertical central grille, flanked by a single headlight. Formed and rounded front fenders and a curved to match the shape in the body front bumper gives it an aero retro feel. Straight steel runs back to the rear and on the way has nicely minded gaps in the doors as well as dual chromed rocker trimmings A small plate in chrome protects the fore part of the rear rounded protruding fender. It has VW-esque small elephant footprint tail lights topping it and this corresponds with a gently sloping Swiss Alp-like rear glass and trunk deck. Shiny large dog dish wheels are in all 4 corners. This car has a wonderfully unique, yet familiar with the 60's styling exterior. You'll love it or hate and I'm in the former category. Proscht!
Interior
Wonderful neutral shades of gray to black cover the interior surfaces. Doors have black sills with an ever widening gray upper panel, and smooth vinyl lower panel in black. Chairs are low back bomber style buckets with smooth black shiny vinyl bolsters and tuck and roll broadcloth inserts. The rear bench follows suit and is also like new and virtually are as our consignor has done the interior with the exterior resto. The dash is simple and in black with black faced gauges, white numbers and pointers and chromed bezels. An original steering wheel fronts the dash and below all is good with the black carpeting. Above is a white headliner which presents as new. A shout out to the trunk where it has also been totally restored. Hand over my wiener schnitzel sandwich please!
Drivetrain
Under the hood is the 1.7L Ford Taunus V4 engine. This is a larger, newer engine up from the original 1.5 liter that came with the car. It has been bored .040 over there is a high performance camshaft, and the valves have been hardened. Atop is a single 2bbl Weber carb and a 4-speed manual transmission on back. As noted this car does have the freewheeling pedal transmission which is a bit like driving a model T where you feel like you are trying to tie your shoe while on your cell phone after a long night out of imbibing heavily. Although once you get used to it, you can literally forgo the clutch!
Undercarriage
Plenty of patina, road dirt and light surface rust on the underside panels but still very structurally sound. Rebuilt rack and pinion steering, new bushings and other suspension parts for the front coil spring suspension and rear I-beam and coil spring suspension. Totally rebuilt and like new disc braking is in front and drums for the rear and a clean stock exhaust runs the gamut of the undercarriage. 
Drive-Ability
A fun nice car to drive, which offered up snappy acceleration, good solid braking, and all functioning controls. As noted it has the freewheeling pedal and you need two try it to experience it as it would take me a 1/4 page to describe it. Fun little classic Saab driver. Les grosses bier bitte.
A fun little gem of Saab history gracing our midst, runs on regular gas, and drives just great. Fully restored, mechanically sound and steel sides and panels like a Panzer tank. Bring it on!