You’re looking at a rare bird – a Saab 99 “Electric Manual Special,” the Bosch Jetronic-equipped sports version of the iconic front-drive Trolhatten terror.
I’m a Seattle-area native, so I can tell this car has been lovingly stored in the Northwest fashion – covered in a bed of protective pine needles and green moss. Seems to be fairly complete, with some clean-looking rear seats. Ominously, while we find out that the Momo steering wheel is included, there are more sunny days in a Seattle December than words describing the mechanical condition of the 99.
Where the ad leaves off, I’ll fill you in (at least on what the mechanical condition was from the factory). The EMS was a rally-inspired sport package, with the aforementioned fuel injection. You also got a unique front air dam, alloy wheels (snowflake-esque, present on our subject car), stiffer springs, Bilsteen shocks, a quicker steering rack, and the special steering wheel. The 2 liter OHC four made 110 HP and 119 ft-lbs of torque if it’s packaged with the “Western States” Lambda O2 sensor and catalyst, which I’m assuming this one is. The storied 99 Turbo only made 30 more horsepower, for the record.
You might not be able to stop Saab from being sold to a consortium of Tibetan paratroopers and Ukranian girl scouts, but you can save this 99 from a slow death at the hands of mildew!
Seattle Craigslist, Saab History
Go HERE if the ad disappears.
SAAVe this SAAB! Rare Saab 99 EMS Needs Loving Hoon
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While that's not a bad looking example, the only Saab that even remotely gets me thinking about stroking a check is the Sonnett.
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Born from jets. Dead from Jetronic.
Seriously, I've got one car with L-Jetronic. That is enough.-
I’m pretty sure that’s either a ’75 or ’76 making that the K-Jetronic injection, also known as CIS, SOOO much better than the original D-Jetronic on the original EMSs…
I owned several LH-Jetronic cars that were pretty robust. -
The LH-Jetronic in later Volvo 240s is surprisingly good, but the earlier K-Jet is rubbish. And all un-injection-related parts on the car that say Bosch are the first step in troubleshooting.
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I've finally made up my mind to start the engine teardown and rebuild on the '93, and you have to go and tempt me with another project like this – and in my area.
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I should probably make sure I never move to a large piece of property. I'd be like the crazy cat lady, never able to say no to a stray like this.
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A buddy of mine had a major problem with his Saab one time, and I helped out. Thing ran like hell, and I re-attached the pipe from the turbo to the manifold. Then it was fine. Why somebody would own an old Saab with no concept of mechanics is beyond me. He was a genius hippy in many other areas, I'm just making some kind of random point. Anyway, Saabs are Weird, and I like Weird.
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Pedigree has those commercials showing dogs in shelters. When they come on the tube, I have to change the channel. Way too heartbreaking. If there was a commercial like that for cars like this, I would have to change the channel. Cars like this are meant to be driven. Not rot away in someone's field, garage, driveway or back alley. Let the Camrys and Aveos rot. Not unique vehicles like this.
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Testify!
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Hemming's Sports & Exotic magazine had a Buyer's Guide for Saab 99 Turbos this month. Like all their write ups they make them sound readily available and easy to work on.
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I think Hemmings comes from an alternate universe where pre-war cars and oddball European manufacturers are more common than pickup trucks. Unless those pickup trucks are from some obscure carmaker that lasted from 1918 to 1919.
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"Like all their write ups they make them sound readily available and easy to work on."
I chuckled out loud.
Thanks. That really made my day.
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The Craigslist post has another photo showing these awesome Jensen speakers in the back seat (literally) dangling from the wires and the rear decking pried off and covered with cardboard for some reason.
Also, the poster comments "Very cool when done". Ouch. This looks like a project and a half even if the interior looks halfway decent.-
isn't that how all Jensen speakers are supposed to be installed?
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Well, yes, but only if it's attached to a bitchen Kraco stereo.
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Want want want.
Can't have :(. -
The problem with this car is I want it. I might even know where it lives. That fence looks similar to one near my old house north of the U district. The moss isn't much of a problem because this time of year anything that doesn't move for a few days starts to grow a green beard. A good pressure washer will knock it right off. I wonder how it runs?
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Wow. "Nice" photos. File this one under, "Honest honey, I really, really tried to sell it!"
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I saw that ad yesterday and giddily thought about buying it for a future LeMons project, but then realized that 1) I live within the city limits of Seattle and so don't have anywhere to store it, and 2) Pujo! the 505 turbo LeMons car will never die.
Someone really does need to rescue this. EMSes are neat cars. There's an orange one I see down here the the South Lake Union area that makes me smile every time I see it.
If this was a 99 turbo, my wife would be angry with me.-
Wait – you are in Seattle and have a turbo Pug 505 LeMons racer? My friend, we need to chat. I have a good buddy that collects 504 diesels in the Northgate area, and we've been talking about fielding a team for a while.
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I'm in Meadowbrook, just down the hill from Northgate. Our team is the Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys. I'd be happy to chat, LeMons is a ton of fun. I think a 504 would make a great LeMons car – Index of Effluency contender for sure!
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This is my first comment on the Hooniverse. I wanted to encourage someone to buy this sweet 99, and to tell you, Bret, that when I read your LeMons team name for the first time a few months ago, I literally fell over laughing. People were concerned for my health. It still makes me chuckle when I think about it. So cheers to you, and your team, for that piece of brilliance.
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Glad our team was the source of chuckles. 🙂 We have a ton of fun with this LeMons thing.
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My beef with the L-Jet derives from its sensitivity to vacuum leaks, and the seemingly endless miles of aging hose where they can appear. I will soon put those issues behind me, with a new set of silicone hoses this Sprint.
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That thing is just screaming out for some attention. God! Want one bad.
<img src="http://www.saabhistory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/1000143.jpg"> -
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