Highlights
- Desirable early ‘short nose’ 96 in white
- Extensive and high end bare metal restoration
- Well presented car lightly modified with rally accessories
- Recent rebuilt engine, new gearbox and head gasket work
- Owned and run by a well-known Saab enthusiast
- Regularly shown at car events including the NEC
- Displayed 31,176 miles reported to be correct
- Voluntary MOT valid to May 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The 99 Turbo tends to grab the Saab headlines, but the firm’s reputation began with cars like this. The 96 evolved from the ground-breaking 92, becoming more spacious and practical but losing none of the innovation that Sixten Sason baked into its predecessors.
The rugged, reliable, go-anywhere qualities that made the 96 so popular with Sweden’s rural population also made it the doyen of the world’s rally stages. Until 1967 it used Saab’s simple, durable three-cylinder two-stroke engine, which is exactly the car we have here. These models also retain the early short ‘bull nose’ aesthetics with their classic upright grilles and round headlights.
This car spent its life in Norway until 2002, when the current keeper, a well-known Saab enthusiast, brought it to the UK. On arrival, it was extensively restored, including a bare-metal respray, a process that has continued right up to the present day. Recent work has included rebuilding the engine and replacing the gearbox in 2024 and attention to the head gasket in 2025. The car has covered very few miles since, and the vendor tells us that the displayed mileage of 31,176 miles is correct. The car comes with a useful voluntary MOT valid to May 2026 with no advisories. It is an indication of the fastidious seller’s approach that the car has always been MOT’d, despite not being legally required, and has never had an MOT advisory since arriving in the UK.
The condition is genuinely impressive, but then this car is regularly shown, including at the NEC, so perhaps that is no surprise. The white paintwork is accented by a set of smart Minilite-style alloys, while inside there are tasteful nods to the 96’s rally heritage in the bucket seats with Securon harnesses and rally accessories. This is one of the best 96s we’ve seen in a long time - it has the spec and provenance to appeal to dedicated marque enthusiasts.
The vendor says:
“Unique opportunity to own a classic Saab that has benefited from a full bare metal / mechanical rebuild. Fully documented.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1964 in Norway as a left-hand drive vehicle
- Imported to the UK in 2002 and now registered on UK plates
- First UK registered in 2004 according to DVLA
- Single UK keeper since arriving in the UK
- Current keeper is a well known Saab enthusiast
- Bare metal and mechanical rebuild carried out
- Extensive documentation covering all work including photos as shown
- Shown regularly at car events including the NEC
- 31,176 miles showing on the odometer, believed correct by seller (not verified)
- Handwritten record of restoration and maintenance 2010 to 2025 as shown
- VIN number 216399
- Voluntary MOT valid to 3rd May 2026 with no advisories and 30,222 miles on test
- No advisories on any MOT test in UK since 2006
Summary of recent maintenance (further details in photos):
- 05/25 - head gasket work
- 04/24 - new battery
- 04/23 - gearbox replaced
- 10/22 - engine rebuilt and new gearbox installed
The Condition
- Vendor describes the car as in excellent condition and in showroom condition
- Older bare metal respray in white with paintwork and bodywork in very good order
- Chromework is factory correct and presents well in photos
- Underside as shown with evidence of undersealing and no MOT structural advisories
- 15in Minilite-style alloys in very good condition with slight marks to rims
- Steel spare wheel with tools in boot
- Matching Michelin radial tyres fitted
- Fitted with additional auxiliary front lights
- Refurbished interior with rally accessories to dashboard and auxiliary VDO rev counter
- Front bucket seats trimmed in red with grey piping and fitted with Securon harnesses
- Rear seat in factory-correct two-tone grey and red and in very good condition
- Three spoke wood-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel
- Car is supplied with 2 keys, unfortunately the ignition will not turn (despite the key working on the door lock and gear lever is fixed in reverse gear)
The Mechanics
- Saab 38bhp 841cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine
- 4-speed manual transmission with column shift
- Vendor reports the car ran well prior to the key being snapped in the ignition
- Well-maintained with recent engine rebuild and new gearbox as above
- Further details on history 2010 to 2025 shown in photos
- No advisories on current or recent MOTs
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