Saab 99

The 99 was an automobile produced by Saab between 1968 and 1984.

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On April 2, 1965, Gudmund's day in Sweden, the Saab board started Project Gudmund to develop a new and larger car to replace the Saab 96. This new car became the Saab 99, designed by Sixten Sason and unveiled in Stockholm on November 22, 1967.

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The first 99 prototypes were built by cutting a 96 lengthwise and widening it by 20 cm - this created the so called Paddan (Toad).

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As a disguise, the first 99 was badged 'daihatsu' as that name could be made up out of letters available for other Saab models http://www.saabphotos.com/gallery/saabmuseum_2004/IMG_2465.

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Although Saab engineers liked the two stroke engine it was decided that a four stroke engine was necessary and the choice was a 1.5 L (later 1.7 and 1.85 L) engine from Triumph, the same Triumph Slant-4 engine used in the Triumph Dolomite, but with a Zenith-Stromberg CD carburetor developed specially for Saab. 48 Saab 99s were equipped with a V8 from Triumph, but the idea to use a V8 was dropped in favor of a turbocharged engine. The engine ultimately used in 99 was a four-cylinder in-line engine that was tilted at 45 degrees, basically half of a V8. The engine produced 87 hp DIN (64 kW) at 5500 rpm. The engine was watercooled, but unlike most cars of the time it had an electric cooling fan. Due to a trade restriction the USA models had a special front facia with two round headlights instead of the single rectangular unit it had in other markets. The "US front" then became a popular item for car customisers in Europe.

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Early 99s carried over the freewheel transmission from the Saab 96, but the freewheel was removed with the introduction of the 1.85 L engine.

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The car was wide and low and the suspension gave it handling that was very good for the time. The Cw value was 0.37 while other cars of the time had 0.4 to 0.5. The chassis was also designed for safety.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:saab99polis.jpg for rationale -->

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A police version 99 is shown on a Swedish postage stamp. The hood/bonnet of the 99 (and also the 900) caused problems for the police. Since it wraps around the paint had to be extended up on the hood and not restricted to just the fenders as on other cars.

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Automobile: An automobile is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own motor. Different types of automobiles include cars, buses, trucks, and vans, with cars being the most popular by far. Earlier terms for automobile include "horseless carriage" and "motor car." An automobile has seats for the driver and, almos...

1968: 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar)....

1984: :This page is about the year 1984. For George Orwell's novel, see Nineteen Eighty-Four.For other uses, see 1984 (number)....