| The first engine used in the original
99 was a four-cylinder in-line engine that was tilted at 45 degrees,
basically half of a V8. The 1709 cc Triumph-sourced engine produced
87 PS (64 kW; 86 hp) at 5500 rpm.[7] The engine was water-cooled,
but unlike most cars of the time it had an electric cooling fan.
Triumph soon upgraded the engine to 1.85L: the appearance in February
1971 of the 4-door Saab 99 (99CM4 series) coincided with the adoption
of the bored out 1854 cc unit.[7] Saab experienced reliability
problems with Triumph sourced engines and decided to bring the
design home. From September 1972 the 1985 cc Saab B engine was
used; during the lifetime of the 99 model, several subsequent
engine developments took place including the incorporation of
fuel injection for some versions.[7]
The bonnet (hood) was forward-hinged and the panel extended
over the front wheel arches. The windscreen (windshield) was
wrap-around and very deep for the era. The A-pillar had a steep
angle, providing excellent driver visibility. Writing in 1968,
the English test-driver Archie Vicar wrote in Mass Motorist
magazine: "The little 99 has been given a striking and
wholly rational appearance. It gives the flavour of an aeroplane
on four wheels."[8]
Due to the American sealed beam headlight requirement in place
at the time the USA models had a special front fascia with two
round headlights instead of the single rectangular unit it had
in other markets. The "US front" then became a popular
item for car customisers in Europe.
Early 99s carried over the freewheel transmission from the
Saab 96, but the freewheel was removed with the introduction
of the 1.85 L engine, likely on account of the extra power that
the apparatus would have to transmit, and to allow the driver
the option of engine braking.
The handbrake was on the front wheels.
The car was wide and low and the suspension gave it handling
that was very good for the time. The Cw value was 0.37 while
other cars of the time had 0.4 to 0.5. The chassis was also
designed for secondary safety.
The 99 was Saab's last rally car, first in EMS guise and later
as the Turbo version. The Saab 99 turbo was one of the first
"family cars" to be fitted with a turbo after the
1963-64 Oldsmobile Turbo Jetfire; other contemporary turbocharged
automobiles were very "specialised" vehicles and were
difficult to drive.
The UK's "Mass Motorist" magazine (1968) summarised
their view of the 99 as follows: "That the 99 is comfortable,
well-made, satisfying to drive and well-equipped ought to mean
that other makers should take heed. The Bavarians at BMW and
Alfa Romeo of Milan also offer small and agile saloons. I would
contend here that Saab has the advantage of them, and should
Saab choose to fit an even more powerful motor, the 99 could
be a class leader in a short space of time."[8]
An interesting detail on Saab 99 (sedan model) was that it
had a heating duct leading to the rear window. With a lever
between the front seats the airflow could be controlled to help
defogging the rear window. Another Saab feature that has been
used even on later models is that the ignition lock is on the
floor. Unlike most cars, where the steering wheel is locked
by the ignition key, this car locks the gear stick. It has the
side effect that the driver would always have to park the car
with reverse gear activated (except for automatic versions).
It was supposed to be safer, since the anti-theft lock would
not affect safety if forced or at malfunction.
This car is very well preserved and covered only 66.000 km's
from new. A true Icon.
|
