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Saab 99 Did Saabs ever look normal? I think there’s a definite rightness to the 99. But normal? /via Le Gang Blenheim’s La Promenade du Dimanche Click for high-res photo

Saab 99

Did Saabs ever look normal? I think there’s a definite rightness to the 99. But normal?

/via Le Gang Blenheim’s La Promenade du Dimanche

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. Click for high-res photo

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.

1978 Saab 99 Turbo The strangest thing about the Saab 99 Turbo is that it didn’t lead to Saab taking over the world. The 99 Turbo is, quite possibly, better than any other executive express available until BMW released the E28 M535i — in 1987. Like a Braun radio, everything about the 99T is considered. There’s a reason for everything — even the weird stuff. In fact, given the right circumstances, all the stuff that’s weird about a 99T could have become normal. The question is, would you rather live in a universe where a Saab was normal or special? /Saabworld, via @Saablime Click for high-res photo

1978 Saab 99 Turbo

The strangest thing about the Saab 99 Turbo is that it didn’t lead to Saab taking over the world. The 99 Turbo is, quite possibly, better than any other executive express available until BMW released the E28 M535i — in 1987.

Like a Braun radio, everything about the 99T is considered. There’s a reason for everything — even the weird stuff. In fact, given the right circumstances, all the stuff that’s weird about a 99T could have become normal.

The question is, would you rather live in a universe where a Saab was normal or special?

/Saabworld, via @Saablime

1978 Saab 99 Turbo After the last post, my friend Simon emailed me and insisted that his 99T was “almost brown”. I leave it up to you to decide if he’s right. If Simon’s 99T isn’t brown enough for you, here’s one I prepared earlier. /via Simon Click for high-res photo

1978 Saab 99 Turbo

After the last post, my friend Simon emailed me and insisted that his 99T was “almost brown”. I leave it up to you to decide if he’s right.

If Simon’s 99T isn’t brown enough for you, here’s one I prepared earlier.

/via Simon

Non-brown awesomeness

What do you mean you’re not down with orphan orange front-wheel drive Swedish sportscars?

(Hooniverse, natch)

Saab 98 The Saab 98 was a prototype for a hatchback (or combi-coupe in Saab parlance) based on the 95 sedan. It was never put into production. (pic via wikipedia) Click for high-res photo

Saab 98

The Saab 98 was a prototype for a hatchback (or combi-coupe in Saab parlance) based on the 95 sedan. It was never put into production.

(pic via wikipedia)