10k: Dumpster Driving: 1970 Saab 96 De Luxe

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Someday you might find that you are a recently divorced college professor looking for a small place to call home.  If you feel the strange urge to live in a dumpster for a year (like this guy)…just don’t do it.  It is a terrible idea. First, because of disease (have you looked at the inside of a dumpster with a black light — it ain’t pretty), and ultimately, because it isn’t a good place to bring home a date.  Additionally, you should ditch the stupid glasses and bowtie because it isn’t ironic/hip/retrol/cool, you just look like an idiot. Trust me, it doesn’t help the Jaime Escalante wanna-be vibe you are trying to foster and you end up looking like the nerdy cousin of Weird Al Yankovic.  Knock it off.  Dress like a man.  If you really want to save the planet, look cool, and educate the masses, the only dumpster green thing you should consider spending any time inside is this 1970 Saab 96 offered for $12,995 in Laguna Beach, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

First impression is that this looks like a really nice example of a 96, which traces its roots back to the beginnings of the automaker, and
was the final evolution of their original aerodynamic beetle-esque form
that began with the Ur-SAAB.  The asking price is high, and for above $10k you should get one of the nicer 96s found around town.  Time for a dissection of the specimen. 

The seller admits that he recently restored this 96, but what he doesn’t mention is that many of the interior parts are not correct for a 70 De Luxe model.  The dash is covered with smooth vinyl (it should have a series of ribs on it), the door panels, carpet, seats, head rest and headliner not made from the factory original material.  All of the pieces look nice, but if you are trying to build a high priced Saab 96, you should really have the perfectly correct material inside — and it should be free from overspray in the door jams.  But…it is better than living in a dumpster.

See a better Saab 96 that might be worth a high asking price? Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com