Let’s continue on with our Foreign Car Weekend with another recently euthanized import and see if it is worth owning over a more reputable (i.e. rather boring) vehicle like a CamryAccordSonataFusionAvenger… (Just kidding on that last one)… This is a Malaise Era Saab 99, built at least two years before the almighty 99 Turbo model made it’s debut. And just for the hell of it, let’s see if anyone can tell me where the location of the Saab Headquarters before GM took over the company…
According to the rather lengthy listing (unusual for Craigslist I might ad):
Top of the line vehicle
76 Saab 99 GLE
2L w/ 3spd Borg Warner Auto
154k miles
brown w/ metallic flake(looks like copper in the sunlight)
original a/c car all components are there and upgraded to 134a
I have 5 SAAB keys all for this car
Old receipts show it was a U.S Embassy car for Bahrain back in the day
Super clean car, Starts right up, drives good, all lights are intact and work front and rear fogs included. Very minor rust behind the rear fenders where the flaps meet but under the car and control arm areas are 100% rust free. It will be very hard to find a cleaner original car for this price, hell how many saab 99s have you seen on the road?
Recently went through the car and replaced with OEM components:
-Fuel pump(metal tank is in great shape,siphoned old gas vaccumed inside of tank replaced hose and strainer)
-Fuel filter
-removed and cleaned injectors
-coil/points/condenser/cap/rotor/wires/plugs
-changed oil w/ new mann filter
-thermostat/ flushed coolant fresh green added(cooling system was very clean before)
-exhaust manifold gaskets/collector gaskets
-new + and negative battery leads(battery tray is rust free)
-Air filter
-redline mtl transaxle flush and fill
-Headliner and rear pillars were removed and redone professionally
-Brake fluid flushed 4 corners (nice and firm pedal)
-added refinished period correct super rare 15in Carroll Shelby OEM Saab wheels(original wheels included)
Cons
Heater core was removed but have the original one was going to get it pressure tested and fit back in the car.
A/c dosnt work because the alternator was replaced and only has a single pulley instead of a dual to run the compressor. Have the belt, compressor isnt locked pulley spins free and a/c is charged so should be a simple fix but frankly its winter like tempratures outside now so woulnt mess with it till spring time anyways.
Transmission shifts through all gears fine but a little abrupt sometimes(shifter cables need adjustment/stall speed adjusted/ it is a 1976 3spd auto maybe thats just how they were) Fluid is nice and ruby and full dosnt smell burned by any means.
Paint is in good shape but cracking in some places
rubber strips in the rear are missing(hardware store for replacements?)
Overall a great example of a old collectors SAAB, I just have too many projects at this time(fiat 124, bmw e30 I still have to get too). Would like it to go to a SAAB enthusiast and a good home because I know how rare these cars are and would like to see it preserved. Call or text the car wont disappoint.
Clean title in hand, Big box of extra parts included(Sealed OEM SAAB brand new parts$$$)
Asking price for this Diplomatic Saab is $4,000. I’m really not sure if there is an enthusiastic buyer at this price because of the Automatic, but I’m sure the seller might be open to offers… See the Listing Here, and tell me if this Saab 99 is really anything to get excited about.
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