1972 Saab 96: Discover a Rare Gem in the Junkyard
More than a thousand years ago, Scandinavian invaders conquered much of northern England and Danes came to rule the old Roman city they called Jórvík. The Danelaw is long gone, but I visited that city (now known as York) a couple of months back and found some ancient Scandinavian treasure in a junkyard scrapyard there: a Saab 96, as rusty as a long-buried iron Viking sword but still recognizable. England is damp year-round and they have a generous hand with the road salt there in winter. The level of corrosion on this car would impress even a Michigan resident. The amount of vegetation, rodent droppings, and moss is impressive. It must have sat outdoors, maybe half-buried, for decades.
Still, I found very few cars built before 2000 during my scrapyard explorations in England (with some notable exceptions) and these old Saabs are cool, so I photographed it. At first, the 96 was built with a three-cylinder two-stroke engine. For 1967, Saab began installing the Ford Taunus V4 engine in these cars, and that’s what’s here.
The odometer shows that it reached nearly 100,000 miles (or maybe 200,000 or 700,000 miles— it’s impossible to tell with a five-digit odometer). Even in freezing Yorkshire winter weather, the mildew in this interior could be smelled from a couple of rows away. Restorable? Not in this condition, though the 96 has many fans in Britain.
Would you put the horse behind the cart? Of course not, which is why you wanted a front-wheel-drive Saab 96!
In the heart of York lies a hidden gem that tells tales of Scandinavian conquest and automotive history. Tucked away in a junkyard scrapyard, I stumbled upon a rare find – a 1972 Saab 96. Despite its rusty exterior, reminiscent of a long-buried iron Viking sword, the unmistakable silhouette of this vintage vehicle still shines through.
Venturing further into the scrapyard, my eyes caught sight of a 1973 Saab 95, the wagon version of the 96. It was a reminder that 1973 marked the final year for these models in the United States, although the 96 continued its sales journey in the United Kingdom until 1976. With England’s perpetually damp climate and liberal use of road salt during winter, it came as no surprise that this Saab 96 exhibited an astonishing level of corrosion, even surpassing the expectations of a seasoned Michigan resident.
As I delved deeper into the junkyard, the abundance of vegetation, rodent droppings, and moss covering the car was a testament to its prolonged exposure to the elements. Perhaps it had spent decades sitting half-buried in the unforgiving outdoors. Yet, amidst the decay and neglect, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the allure of this vintage Saab. In a landscape dominated by newer models, this relic from a bygone era stood as a testament to its enduring appeal.
Originally equipped with a three-cylinder two-stroke engine, the Saab 96 underwent a transformation in 1967 when Saab opted to install the Ford Taunus V4 engine. It was this very engine that now lay dormant within the rusted shell before me. The odometer, displaying an impressive number just shy of 100,000 miles, bore witness to the countless journeys this car had embarked on. Yet, with only a five-digit odometer, it remained a mystery whether the true mileage had reached 200,000 or even an astonishing 700,000 miles.
Stepping into the interior, the freezing Yorkshire winter weather did little to mask the pungent scent of mildew that permeated the air. A testament to the neglect this car had endured, it served as a stark reminder of the extensive restoration work required to revive it to its former glory. While the Saab 96 boasts a devoted following in Britain, it was clear that this particular specimen would not be making a triumphant return to the road anytime soon.
As I took my leave from the junkyard, I couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of this find. The Saab 96, with its front-wheel-drive system, had become a symbol of automotive innovation and a testament to Scandinavian craftsmanship. In an era where vintage cars often take center stage, this rare gem from 1972 reminds us of the rich heritage and untold stories that lie within the most unexpected places.