Saab 60

The Saab 60 was a 'special'. It was a limited edition modification of the 1962 Saab 96, peculiar to the UK. Modifications were carried out at Saab Ltd, in Slough. In the early 1960s, Erik Carlsson and his little Saab 96 two-stroke achieved a legendary series of victories in the RAC Rally and Monte Carlo Rally. In honour of these successes "against the odds" and in view of the high demand in the UK for a 'sport' model, which was not yet available in right-hand drive form, the UK importers of Saab cars in Slough, England created a special series of approximately 56 modified Saab 96 cars, between June 1962 and April 1963. Thus was the Saab 60 born. The standard 45 bhp was increased to 60 bhp by engine modification. The crankshaft was changed, the inlet ports were lowered and the exhaust ports raised. The carburettor and ignition settings were modified. A Saab Sport exhaust system was fitted. The suspension was lowered, by removing one 'turn' from each coil spring and Koni shock absorbers and Pirelli Cinturato radial-ply tyres were fitted. The three-speed gearbox was swapped for a four-speed box. A Smith's tachometer was also fitted.