Woody
MegaDork
10/5/17 9:57 p.m.
This morning I went up to the attic to look for something and I found a 48 year old Dune Buggy magazine that I've had for over 30 years. I flipped through it and there was an article about Saab engines (V4 and Saab 99/Triumph inline) and their corresponding transaxles. The basic tone of the article was that they were excellent choices for dune buggies. Aside from that, I found myself fascinated by these things, and how well they are packaged. They are almost (or maybe more) compact than a Subaru engine/transaxle combo.
I'm really disappointed in myself for not giving these cars more respect when I was younger and they were cheap and plentiful. I don't really need a Saab, but I think I would like to own one someday, before they all turn to dust.
I almost had a chance a very clean 99. Sadly the owner passed and his son sold it before I had a chance to talk to him
Had a 1973 99 during the snowacaine in Cleveland Ohio in 1978....6+inches of snow running way skinny tires ...no problem.
Woody said:
Hmmm....it may be underpowered, but it seems like that could be used to build a little mid-engined sports car. Maybe a replica of the 1962 Mustang 1 concept car? It used a V4 engine.
Woody
MegaDork
10/6/17 5:22 a.m.
In reply to stuart in mn :
I was thinking in terms of Formula cars (and yes, I'm aware of Formula Saabs, but they didn't use this engine). I think there are lots of applications for something like this.
I used to ice race a 96 model, great car! It overheats so you roll into the pits, toss a shovel of snow at the engine and get back out there; try that with your girly aluminum heads.
If I didn't have a garage full of airplane, I'd love that white project.
Woody
MegaDork
10/6/17 8:50 a.m.
In reply to 914Driver :
That’s a cool looking car! What year was it?
I think that car may have been to a couple of out Historic Ice Races. It was owned by a gentleman who lived in Marbletown NY.
I owned a 1965/66 96 Special Sedan. It had all of the Monte Carlo running gear, including the three carb engine. Later became a dedicated race car, summer and winter, It ended up with a modified 940cc engine. Reportedly about 85 hp. Much fun.
There was a nice Sonnett 3 at the recent Keene Hillclimb reunion. It was driven there.
My dad had one of these and was just talking about how much of a POS it was last night. The trans went out on him and he sold it. Back in '79. My mom said the exact words "Saab story."
nymalo
New Reader
10/6/17 11:54 a.m.
This car has been in GRM before.
RossD
MegaDork
10/6/17 11:57 a.m.
The Ford V6 Cologne was based off of the Taunus V4, and I believe the bellhousing pattern was the same between them. That means you could grab a transmission from a 2010 V6 mustang and bolt the V4 up or alternatively a 210hp /240 lb-ft V6 into your Saab.
Sonic
UltraDork
10/6/17 12:11 p.m.
That gold and black one, 34, currently races Lemons in the northeast. It is now powered by a turbocharged geo metro engine. They have sorted it pretty well over the years.
That 34 has a long history. When it was new or close to it, it was an ice race car owned and driven by a fellow from NJ, he was really good. I think his name was Miller.
