Wednesday 22nd November 1967

The Saab 99 was premiered in Stockholm, Sweden. The first engine used in the original 99 was a four-cylinder in-line engine which was tilted at 45 degrees. The 1709 cc Triumph-sourced engine produced 87 PS (64 kW; 86 hp) at 5500 rpm. The engine was water-cooled, but unlike most cars of the time it had an electric cooling fan. The bonnet (hood) was forward-hinged and the panel extended over the front wheel arches. The windscreen (windshield) was wrap-around and very deep for the era. The A-pillar had a steep angle, providing excellent driver visibility. Writing in 1968, the English test-driver Archie Vicar wrote in Mass Motorist magazine: “The little 99 has been given a striking and wholly rational appearance. It gives the flavour of an aeroplane on four wheels.” 1984 was the final year for the 99. It was replaced by the SAAB 90 and the SAAB 900. A total of 588,643 were made.