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Ever since paging through a book of greatest classic cars of all time and seeing the '56 BMW 150 convertible or the Alfa Romeos, I've wondered how the '68 99 coup would compare as a convertible.
My first car was a '74 99 Coup (not counting a '63 96 project car) -its body trim was exactly half way between the early coups and the final version. BTW, That exact body trim only ran one year as all of the previous 99's had the Aeroplane logo on the grill, and from '75 on had the wider grill emblem that stuck pretty much into the 900's, -I had the narrower grill, but updated with the golden SAAB badge in the middle. I still debate whether the 99 didn't handle just a tad better than the 900. I used to literally rally my car on some of the back jeep trails of Colorado, and a snow storm just meant another challenge of being the only 2 wheel drive car out on the roads. It's amazing I survived to buy a 900! (Though I never wrecked my 99s (3 total))
Anyhow, The '68 coup had lots of tastefully done chrome and smaller indicator lenses, similar to the 150 BMW. My aspirations with my '77 99 coup was to put a 16 valve turbo w/ 5 speed, but I never got that far before I had to give it up. Now with this new inspiration, I'd really love to pull this off.
The body would have to be 1st generation 99.
I'd reupholster in leather, but keeping the earlier generation seats, with removable head rest.
The power train would have to be a C900's 16 valve 5 speed turbo, hopefully with the 165 HP ACP if possible.
Then of course the convertible package would have to be cannibalized from a 900 vert, any year. I'd do with out the spoiler, but would use a soft boot to cover the top when down, similar to classic BMW's and VWs. and as much as I love the power windows, I'd have to stick with cranks (What a pain that was! -stopping to open or close all the windows/flaps, I'm getting lazy!) or it'd probably ruin the effect like the spoiler would. Same with the power roof, though power roofs were available in American 'verts' as early as the late '30s, -but I'm sure SAAB wouldn't have had one in a '68. The wheels would have to be steel with the early 99 hub caps with the Aeroplane logo. (Of which I've only seen one real one in my life, mine!)
With some other minor detailing (shorten the body just behind the door?) I think the '68 99 would pass reasonably close to a classic European convertible sports coup similar to the Alfa Romeos and BMWs.
-Any thoughts?
-Andreas
posted by 166.129.246...
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