Saab 96
For a long time, a Saab was a kind of mirror-universe Volkswagen Beetle. Where the KdF-Wagen is portrayed as springing fully formed from Herr Doktor Porsche’s head, the Saab was the product of a bunch of aircraft engineers working collectively. Where the VW infamously eschewed safety in favour of packaging efficiency, the Saab had safety at the core.
When Saab moved on from the 96 to the bigger, more luxurious 99, it was seen as a retrograde move by the faithful. “Too conventional”, they said. “Not a proper Saab,” they said.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
/via Motoring Con Brio’s grab-bag this week. I got this bigger version of the photo from Autorama 70.
