1967 Saab 96: Ahead of its time

May 19, 2010

1967 Saab 96: Ahead of its time

1967 Saab 96 Photo by MICHAEL SANATA

Len Schrader was smitten by Saab when he was a college student, and that continues today. Besides being the proud owner of a pristine 1967 Saab 96, which he drives on the street, he races another 1967 Saab 96 in historic events across the country--to the delight of spectators and the dismay of competitors.

Why a Saab? “The engineering, the whole concept of front-wheel drive combined with safety and utility,” he says. “And all of this in the ‘60s!”

Schrader's first Saab came in the form of a 93, a three-cylinder, two-stroke marvel. That model morphed into the four-cylinder, four-stroke Saab 96 with which most enthusiasts are familiar, all 1.5 liters and 73 hp of it.

Ahead of its time in terms of engineering, the 96 would find great success in rally events around the world. A Saab 96 was driven by Erik Carlsson and netted him firsts in several prestigious rallies, including the 1960, ‘61 and ‘62 RAC rallies and the 1962 and ‘63 Monte Carlo rallies.

The car is less known for its road-racing exploits, but that hasn't dissuaded Schrader from competing whenever and wherever he can. Painted bright yellow, with bulging fenders and wild graphics, his racer is a sight to see, a far cry from most of the 547,221 more mundane-looking Saab 96 sedans and station wagons built between 1960 and 1980.

Although Schrader's racer appears more “art car” than competition car, the little coupe is a serious contender that manages to put a fair share of other cars to shame wherever it competes, provided there are plenty of turns.

The front suspension, as on all Saab 96s, uses double wishbones and coil springs, while the rear suspension is a trailing U-beam axle with coil springs. The car also was built with solid floorpans, so the engine is sheltered above the pan, not only protecting the powerplant but also improving aerodynamics.

“It's a handling car, not a sprint car,” Schrader says.

This Saab was raced since the early 1970s, mostly in Florida. It fell into the hands of Willy Lewis, who competed successfully in the Renault Le Car Series, the Barber Saab Pro Series, the Firehawk Series, IMSA and SCCA Pro Racing. Lewis made regular use of the Saab Sport & Rally catalog to build the car. The flares, for instance, were available only from the factory.

After years of racing, the car was put to bed in a barn in Maine. That's where Schrader found it, along with two Saab Sonetts--he was faced with buying the whole lot or nothing.

Schrader grows more excited about his find the more he races the Saab 96. With an assortment of performance equipment, including huge twin side-draft Webers mounted on a trick manifold, the car is a scream to drive, he says. And when he's looking for something a bit more sublime, there's always his other Saab 96.

By Larry Sanata