Description
Saab 96 two stroke, 841cc.
Registration GRU 663D.
First registered 24 06 1966.
Old MOTs present from 1988 (mileage 17, 673) through to 2018 (mileage 65, 730). Now MOT and road tax exempt. The old MOTs support the present Odometer reading of 67, 650.
V5C records seven former keepers.
Car purchased by present owner in June 2021.
The previous owner was a well known rally competitor and Saab enthusiast. He owned the car for over 25 years and competed in many road based regularity rallies. A hand written rally results log from January 1993 to June 2011 records 47 events in 18 years, including outright and class wins. From this competition history, the car is well known amongst the Saab two stroke fraternity and seems often to be referred to as ‘GRU’ by reference to its VRN since 1966.
The previous owner gave the following specification for the car, which has remained unchanged in present ownership.
‘It is fitted with a mildly tuned 841cc two stroke engine producing a strong 52 BHP. The engine was rebuilt in 2016 by Graham Macdonald using an Alpha Bearing crank and has covered less than 1, 000 miles. It has a triple carb engine, four speed free wheel gearbox and disc brakes. The suspension has been updated and a works type sump guard fitted.’
A spare two stroke engine (less ancillaries) is included within the advertised price. The condition of this is not known by the present owner.
Upon purchase the interior (a little rally worn!) was removed from the car along with the fuel system. Some welding was required to repair floor areas. The car was then repainted in its original Olive Green to the window line.
Bumpers and overriders were all re chromed and the five steel wheels reconditioned and powder coated dark red. The wheels then received five quality Blockley tyres, 155 x 15 that being the correct size. The windscreen was also removed and a new rubber windscreen seal fitted. Finally, a new Jetex sports exhaust system was fitted.
The car was then professionally stored whilst parts were sourced for completion, particularly a replacement interior.
In 2023 the car went to Saab specialists Malbrad Saab in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire for completion.
Those completion works included:
- Refit all brightwork.
- Fit red/ grey front seats and interior trim panels sourced from a genuine Saab Sport 96 that was being stripped to become a stage rally car.
- Original rear bench seat professionally retrimmed by Pickerings of Bradford for best possible match to front seats.
- New grey ribbed floor matting fitted front and rear.
- Rebuild front and rear brakes including new front calipers, discs and pads.
- Check all suspension components, replacing the front dampers with some good second hand stock items held by Malbrad.
- Check and rebuild the gearbox with a replacement crown wheel and pinion sourced by Malbrad.
- Polybush kits for engine and gearbox mounts.
- Check and reinstall fuel system with new lines, new electric pump and new filter.
- New battery and battery tray.
- Battery isolator switch.
- New fixing eyes for full harness belts. The original lap and diagonal seat belts are fitted at present.
- Replace temperature gauge.
- Check and improve gear change mechanism
- Fit and wire new old stock period Cibie spot lamps
- Replace door seals (canvas and rubber) and door window seals.
- Generally replace anything that did not look fit for purpose anymore, which made up a long list of small parts
- Check and flush cooling/ heating system with new fluids all round.
-Check electrics - everything electrical is now functioning.
The car has its original Brantz tripmeter, working as it should. Quite nice because this is an early Brantz model. Also, two retro Casio stopwatches, both working and having Regularity and Jogularity timing functions. The car now looks very smart and was much admired recently when showed at a prestige car event co hosted by Bowcliffe Drivers Club and the National Motor Museum (Beaulieu). The car is not intended to be a concourse vehicle; rather a highly presentable and sorted Saab 96 two stroke with subtle modifications and an interesting competition history. It still has patina.
The possible uses for the car are now multifarious. It can be a regularity rally car if you wish, pre 1968 sub 1, 000cc class (memories of Erik Carlsson in the Saab factory two strokes!). However, that is no longer its sole purpose in life. With the extensive works now professionally completed, the car is equally suited to classic runs, shows and afternoon drives. The car will though always carry its interesting back story, on display through the subtle competition upgrades and its nicely worn leather bonnet strap.
Importantly, GRU now goes very well. Starts on demand, runs through the gears nicely, good under braking, keeps a stable temperature; all with the free wheel system and electrics operating as they should.
Please call me if you have any questions, rather than messaging through the site. For serious interest, the car is available to view in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.
