Discussion
1973 Saab 99 should have the Saab-designed 1985cc engine, although there was still a stripper version that year (the 99X7) with the Triumph-derived 1854cc mill and 96 seats. The Saab engine (basically a complete redesign of the Ricardo/Triumph lump) is vastly more reliable.
Early '70s 99s were sound, but a trifle dull. The 99 EMS came in '73 but got the sporty bits (quick steering rack, Bilstein dampers etc) over the following years (as a tidbit: Ronnie Peterson helped with the chassis development of the EMS which resulted in aforementioned tweaks). The braking system and I think some suspension bits got changed in 1975 or so, which means you cannot just swap parts from later models. Still, they're more or less like giant Meccano boxes - there are several early '70s 99s tooling around with 900 Turbo 16 valve running gear. Being more compact than a 900, they make good rally cars.
Weaknesses: the Zenith Stromberg carb(s) is/are a bit temperamental - the Swedes got their ways to put twin Webers on, though. Look for rust in the oblvious places (wheelwells and inside doors particularly) but also in the driveshaft tunnels/spring turrets of the front clip. Structural rust there is hard to sort, and often the reason for scrapping them. Avoid Belgian-built 99's (mostly '76-'78 cars with sunroofs) although I can hardly believe any have survived. Unlike Swedish and Finnish examples, they rusted out completely in about 7-8 years from new.
Old 99s are not that quick and the steering tends to stiffen up when applying power - over the years it became a much better drive. Nothing that can't be fixed with simple mods, though (the double wishbone front end is fully adjustable for camber, castor and toe). Also, the cars will cruise at 80-90 mph (depending on model) all day.
Strong points: a relatively modern-feeling and safe car for its age, a sound proposal for daily use, brilliant in winter, character.
Early '70s 99s were sound, but a trifle dull. The 99 EMS came in '73 but got the sporty bits (quick steering rack, Bilstein dampers etc) over the following years (as a tidbit: Ronnie Peterson helped with the chassis development of the EMS which resulted in aforementioned tweaks). The braking system and I think some suspension bits got changed in 1975 or so, which means you cannot just swap parts from later models. Still, they're more or less like giant Meccano boxes - there are several early '70s 99s tooling around with 900 Turbo 16 valve running gear. Being more compact than a 900, they make good rally cars.
Weaknesses: the Zenith Stromberg carb(s) is/are a bit temperamental - the Swedes got their ways to put twin Webers on, though. Look for rust in the oblvious places (wheelwells and inside doors particularly) but also in the driveshaft tunnels/spring turrets of the front clip. Structural rust there is hard to sort, and often the reason for scrapping them. Avoid Belgian-built 99's (mostly '76-'78 cars with sunroofs) although I can hardly believe any have survived. Unlike Swedish and Finnish examples, they rusted out completely in about 7-8 years from new.
Old 99s are not that quick and the steering tends to stiffen up when applying power - over the years it became a much better drive. Nothing that can't be fixed with simple mods, though (the double wishbone front end is fully adjustable for camber, castor and toe). Also, the cars will cruise at 80-90 mph (depending on model) all day.
Strong points: a relatively modern-feeling and safe car for its age, a sound proposal for daily use, brilliant in winter, character.
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