I had a '71 Saab 99 and a '75 Combi. The '71 was trouble free, but the Combi had several issues. The alternator fell off. The timing chain came loose, several pieces of interior trim came adrift and there were water leaks. It was great in the snow though!
During my late school and early university years I used to work at a freelancer's garage. The owner would take any type of car in for repairs, but his heart was long lost to SAAB. It was him who introduced me to this very special kind of cars and the design philosophy behind it. Soon I had laid my eyes on a silver painted 99 GL with a crank-operated sunroof and windows tinted in a light blue, which belonged to a lady customer. This was my first personal dream-SAAB that I deemed to possibly be in my tight budget. I was even more fired up on the prospect of really owning it when I heard she was considering to sell this car in order to change for a 900 or a 9000. Sadly, a few weeks later said lady was involved in what must have been a horrible accident on the german Autobahn, which inflicted several cars. Some people were severely injured, but the SAAB-lady got out of her car (which had rolled a few times and was a total loss) all on her own, having only a few bumps and bruises - no fractures, no cuts - nothing serious ! Had it only been this lady who I had fallen in love with by then... Even though I haven't come to own a SAAB myself, this brand will always have a place in my heart and very dear memories that go along with it!
A good concise history of a fabulous car. I owned two 99’s. First was a two door Verona Green 1.85 and later an EMS. It was while owning the EMS that I sourced a Saab 96 for my wife which was a gem. She still misses that car all those years later. It’s such a shame Saab lost their way.
My Family owned three Saab 99s from 1970 through 1985, starting with my Dad's 1970 99E, and then my 1975 99LE , and 1976 99EMS. At the time there was nothing else on the road like them, they were so far advanced technologically. Long before the AWD SUV came along, the Saab 99 could make it through virtually any type of weather. Drove through more than one snowstorm in one, while many cars were pulled off to the side of the road or stuck in snow drifts. Would even give some neighbors rides to their homes when their cars got stuck at the bottom of a hill in our neighborhood. Never felt safer in any car than my 99's. Thanks for the great memories! ☺
I had numerous Saab 99s I was side swiped by a drunk driver running a red light at estimated 80mph he hit me on the strongest part of the car on the bulkhead area. Nothing was left of his car. Saab took the impact. There the front side of the car was reduced by half and there wasn't a straight body panel remaining. The only way I could get out was by through the shattered door window. The 99 saved my life that night.. Im still running a 2011 Saab 9-3 bought 6 month old. I still miss the 99
@@theclassicsaabguy236I know the 99 inside out and completely stripped them to just a shell. ive had all the models from K to S reg then fell for the 900 then again fell for the 9000 I nearly bought a 9-5( Vauxhall insignia) but chose the 9-3
I too know the 99 inside out. Ive also sripped many to the shell and even cut them up into little pieces. I liked how you could remove the bonnet(2 bolts) and if required remove the lights & radiator as a unit (4 bolts and about 6 self tappers) to get to the clutch
did have some saabs in my life, a 1973, 1974 , 1979 (and a 1999, saab 9-5,tru junk-car) saab 99, a awsome car, some rust but no real flaws ever, clutch change in 40 mnts, win.. regrets? I did not keep them all
I Owe my Life, twice-over to the guys/gals that Built the Safety-features into these Incredible Cars! Once, I was in a Backwards (after missing a Deer, in an S-curve) Roll-over. The other, was a Subaru running a Red-Light at a 4 -way Intersection, which T-boned the car heavily. One of the Best 'Snow/mud-Season' cars you could ever have, btw!
I had a '69 99 in Jerusalem, Israel, in 1986-7. Great car, with technology that matched that of then-advanced modern cars. The first owner removed the freewheeling mechanism, it was way too dangerous in the hills.
@@reneegudjon3204 I was told the transmission in the first Gen was from a 2-cycle engine which used the freewheel to keep ROMs up when the wheels were turning slowly
Ah, my first car! A 1981 beige two door 99GL. One correction to the video, though, mine had the H-engine but only a four speed gearbox. It drove very well, one of the best cars in that respect, I ever had. But for the rest, I was not so lucky. It was rusty, unreliable and the engine and gearbox and everything around it, as well as all of the interior were completely worn after 250.000 km. It was therefore scrapped. And yes, I took good care of it, from the moment I got it at 166.000 km.
Hi thanks for the comments - ahh yes when the H engine was brought over to the 99 the five speed gearbox was an option but many left the factory with the standard 4 speed before later 5 speed becoming standard (around 1983/84 I believe) thanks for watching
I grew up with a sky blue Saab 99. Loved its sound. In Sweden you were either a Saab or a Volvo family. Proud to have grown up Saab. Shame it was all butchered by that Dutch guy
I'we owned 4 99s and 3 900s before GMs executives destroyed saabs rep with their greed, just to squeeze money out of it,,, my last saab was a 1995 9000 cde (best car i ever owned)
You say SAAB introduced the 99 turbo in 1978. That is wrong. It must have been in 1977, and they actually had the 40 year TURBO anniversary at Saab museum, Trollhättan in 2017.
Terje Normann I'm sorry for the confusion - whenever I mention a date it's usually when it was launched to public - which is of course 1978 - but there were pre-series cars manufactured in 1977 - Saab always go by when they begin manufacture not official public launch date
@@theclassicsaabguy236 OK... Thanks for the clarification. When I was at the Saab museum I saw this 1977 99 Turbo togheter with the 2017 anniversary gift car from NEVS www.dropbox.com/transfer/AAAAAKC6AoUlS8XOTF4Hvhk5XSALRWWJ_MBwIXk29rNlw7xi6YK1nyQ www.dropbox.com/transfer/AAAAAG0SIiTY7aQ_egidZMHKM1OkZC69mviflhCW0snygVPWtFlUwao Since the 1977 car was with registration, I also thought it was an released 1977 car.
Terje Normann hi Terje - yes I saw one too at Trollhättan - as far as I know after doing more research there were some models released as pre-series cars , which as you pointed out were registered, but I'm pretty certain these were before the official launch of the car onto market - I have no doubt they exist and perhaps now the lines have become blurred in terms of when they were "introduced" - but every book and source I have found say 1978 as the launch to market - I guess online things can be updated or changed but books from the 70's can't unless they release new editions . Many thanks
If only cars were like this today, I would buy one. Sad to be born too late, into era of electronic boxes on wheels, the bloated, boring, ugly, stupid cars of 2024..
I had a '71 Saab 99 and a '75 Combi. The '71 was trouble free, but the Combi had several issues. The alternator fell off. The timing chain came loose, several pieces of interior trim came adrift and there were water leaks. It was great in the snow though!
Sounds like the quirky fun of owning a Saab !
I owned several 99's including a 1978 99 turbo. Absolutely loved them.
Great cars !!!
During my late school and early university years I used to work at a freelancer's garage. The owner would take any type of car in for repairs, but his heart was long lost to SAAB. It was him who introduced me to this very special kind of cars and the design philosophy behind it.
Soon I had laid my eyes on a silver painted 99 GL with a crank-operated sunroof and windows tinted in a light blue, which belonged to a lady customer. This was my first personal dream-SAAB that I deemed to possibly be in my tight budget. I was even more fired up on the prospect of really owning it when I heard she was considering to sell this car in order to change for a 900 or a 9000.
Sadly, a few weeks later said lady was involved in what must have been a horrible accident on the german Autobahn, which inflicted several cars. Some people were severely injured, but the SAAB-lady got out of her car (which had rolled a few times and was a total loss) all on her own, having only a few bumps and bruises - no fractures, no cuts - nothing serious !
Had it only been this lady who I had fallen in love with by then...
Even though I haven't come to own a SAAB myself, this brand will always have a place in my heart and very dear memories that go along with it!
Yep I can testify to that -they are tough cars ! Experienced a couple of accidents in them !
Used to have a 1972 four-door 99 saloon. Fabulous car. I would love another one
Great video. Thank you. Loved the 99. One of the most handsome designs SAAB ever made. Would love one today too.
Yeah they're great cars! Thanks for watching !
Learnt to drive in the family 1978 99GL have great memories of that car
Had four 99’s. One of the best cars ever, ( also had a 96 and 97 ).
A good concise history of a fabulous car. I owned two 99’s. First was a two door Verona Green 1.85 and later an EMS. It was while owning the EMS that I sourced a Saab 96 for my wife which was a gem. She still misses that car all those years later.
It’s such a shame Saab lost their way.
My Family owned three Saab 99s from 1970 through 1985, starting with my Dad's 1970 99E,
and then my 1975 99LE , and 1976 99EMS.
At the time there was nothing else on the road like them, they were so far advanced technologically.
Long before the AWD SUV came along, the Saab 99 could make it through virtually any type of weather.
Drove through more than one snowstorm in one, while many cars were pulled off to the side of the road
or stuck in snow drifts. Would even give some neighbors rides to their homes when their cars got
stuck at the bottom of a hill in our neighborhood.
Never felt safer in any car than my 99's.
Thanks for the great memories! ☺
Great cars!
I had one for a while, I wish I had it now
The first Saab my dad got was a 73-74 silver 99 Combi
Been loving your classic Saab videos for some time now! Would love a V4 or Sonett up next! Cheers from Sweden.
Glad you like them ! I was planning on doing a vid on the Sonett soon so look out for it !
I had numerous Saab 99s I was side swiped by a drunk driver running a red light at estimated 80mph he hit me on the strongest part of the car on the bulkhead area. Nothing was left of his car. Saab took the impact. There the front side of the car was reduced by half and there wasn't a straight body panel remaining. The only way I could get out was by through the shattered door window. The 99 saved my life that night..
Im still running a 2011 Saab 9-3 bought 6 month old. I still miss the 99
Another Saab sacrifices itself for the occupants ! I had the same thing happen to me in my 99 many years ago.
@@theclassicsaabguy236I know the 99 inside out and completely stripped them to just a shell. ive had all the models from K to S reg then fell for the 900 then again fell for the 9000 I nearly bought a 9-5( Vauxhall insignia) but chose the 9-3
I too know the 99 inside out. Ive also sripped many to the shell and even cut them up into little pieces. I liked how you could remove the bonnet(2 bolts) and if required remove the lights & radiator as a unit (4 bolts and about 6 self tappers) to get to the clutch
ONE OF MY DREAMCARS
My parents had an 99 EMS back in the 90's
did have some saabs in my life, a 1973, 1974 , 1979 (and a 1999, saab 9-5,tru junk-car) saab 99, a awsome car, some rust but no real flaws ever, clutch change in 40 mnts, win.. regrets? I did not keep them all
I WISHD ID HAD SOME DAY SAABS FROM 96 TO 9-5. BUT 99 IS MY FAV...
Saab 9000 is madness.
I Owe my Life, twice-over to the guys/gals that Built the Safety-features into these Incredible Cars! Once, I was in a Backwards (after missing a Deer, in an S-curve) Roll-over. The other, was a Subaru running a Red-Light at a 4 -way Intersection, which T-boned the car heavily. One of the Best 'Snow/mud-Season' cars you could ever have, btw!
I totally agree
Great video! I have gotten to learn new things already!
Rickard Waara great that it's useful Rickard !
I had a '69 99 in Jerusalem, Israel, in 1986-7. Great car, with technology that matched that of then-advanced modern cars. The first owner removed the freewheeling mechanism, it was way too dangerous in the hills.
So I guess being in Jerusalem you didn't see much rust on Saabs there ?
@@theclassicsaabguy236 That's right
Saab 99 hadn't the freewheeling as far as I'm aware off
@@reneegudjon3204 I was told the transmission in the first Gen was from a 2-cycle engine which used the freewheel to keep ROMs up when the wheels were turning slowly
@@yonatangoldman9759 yes . I think you are right,not me ;)
Excellent I have been educated. Best wishes mark
Mark Jackson thanks Mark ! Glad it's useful !! All the best . T
Thank you. I learned a lot 🙂
The first car whit electric heated seats and the headlights wiper
also good protect in elk crash
Yeah I've seen the Elk test ! Impressive !
my heated seat never worked, but it was a good idea
In 1966 Cadillac offered a heated front seat
Nicely done 🤘👍
Filip Janssens thanks !
Would love to hear your views on owning and using a 99. I've had a late GL for many years and now restoring an early EMS.
I will be doing a video on the 99 I owned
instablaster...
Hello. i just bought 99 from 1970 with Triumpf engine. Can anyone advice where to buy parts from? need new clutch,eksos and some more stuff. thanks
Ah, my first car! A 1981 beige two door 99GL. One correction to the video, though, mine had the H-engine but only a four speed gearbox. It drove very well, one of the best cars in that respect, I ever had. But for the rest, I was not so lucky. It was rusty, unreliable and the engine and gearbox and everything around it, as well as all of the interior were completely worn after 250.000 km. It was therefore scrapped. And yes, I took good care of it, from the moment I got it at 166.000 km.
Hi thanks for the comments - ahh yes when the H engine was brought over to the 99 the five speed gearbox was an option but many left the factory with the standard 4 speed before later 5 speed becoming standard (around 1983/84 I believe) thanks for watching
ターボの魅力を世界に知らしめたエポックメーキング車
Yes indeed !
I grew up with a sky blue Saab 99. Loved its sound. In Sweden you were either a Saab or a Volvo family. Proud to have grown up Saab.
Shame it was all butchered by that Dutch guy
Yeah ! I feel ya!
I WISHD ID HAD SOME DAY 2 99S 69-72. 67-71
I am on my 3rd 900i since 1988. Who needs a new battery Jaguar?😂
I'we owned 4 99s and 3 900s before GMs executives destroyed saabs rep with their greed, just to squeeze money out of it,,, my last saab was a 1995 9000 cde (best car i ever owned)
I have to say my favourite model has always been the pre-GM 900 turbo but the best Saab I ever owned was also a 9000. A 1997 CSE in my case
I WISHD ID HAD SOME DAY SAAB 99 EMS. 99 TURBO AND VOLVO 142 1971
i like saab 93 to 9-5, also 96.99.900
my dad wanted "a big car" in the early 70ish, he chose a Saab 99.. that was a bigger car than the VW beetle 1200 he comes from, right?
I WISHD ID HAD 2 99 TURBOS AND 99 EMS AND 142 1971
You say SAAB introduced the 99 turbo in 1978. That is wrong.
It must have been in 1977, and they actually had the 40 year TURBO anniversary at Saab museum, Trollhättan in 2017.
Terje Normann I'm sorry for the confusion - whenever I mention a date it's usually when it was launched to public - which is of course 1978 - but there were pre-series cars manufactured in 1977 - Saab always go by when they begin manufacture not official public launch date
@@theclassicsaabguy236 OK... Thanks for the clarification.
When I was at the Saab museum I saw this 1977 99 Turbo togheter with the 2017 anniversary gift car from NEVS
www.dropbox.com/transfer/AAAAAKC6AoUlS8XOTF4Hvhk5XSALRWWJ_MBwIXk29rNlw7xi6YK1nyQ
www.dropbox.com/transfer/AAAAAG0SIiTY7aQ_egidZMHKM1OkZC69mviflhCW0snygVPWtFlUwao
Since the 1977 car was with registration, I also thought it was an released 1977 car.
Terje Normann hi Terje - yes I saw one too at Trollhättan - as far as I know after doing more research there were some models released as pre-series cars , which as you pointed out were registered, but I'm pretty certain these were before the official launch of the car onto market - I have no doubt they exist and perhaps now the lines have become blurred in terms of when they were "introduced" - but every book and source I have found say 1978 as the launch to market - I guess online things can be updated or changed but books from the 70's can't unless they release new editions . Many thanks
Les suédois savent faire des voitures tres fiables, Saab très recherché.
If only cars were like this today, I would buy one. Sad to be born too late, into era of electronic boxes on wheels, the bloated, boring, ugly, stupid cars of 2024..
Totally agree!