2-For-1: 1978 SAAB 99 Turbo

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The Saab 99 was released in 1968, some 20 years after the release of Saab’s first production automobile, the 92.  Oddly enough, one of the original contributors to the design of the 92 was a Swedish born designer named Sixten Sason, who lead the design of the Saab 99 but did not live to see its release.  A decade later the nuts at Saab decided to release a turbocharged version and the rest is history.  Find this 1978 SAAB 99 Turbo offered for $1200 (with a spare parts car) near Tacoma, WA via craigslist. Tip from Zach. 

The Saab 99 Turbo wasn’t the first turbocharged passenger vehicle to be released to the public, that was the ’62 Olds Jetfire, but it looked and drove like a regular passenger car and didn’t require a special anti-detonation methyl alcohol injection system.  However, when you hit the pedal on the right, there was a short delay and then the push of a small Garrett T04 turbocharger rocketed the car forward like few other cars in 1978.

The secret to the 99 Turbo’s success was the basic Saab B-series inline-4 with reduced compression and a turbocharger that boosted power to 145 horsepower.  Top speed was now up to a ho-hum 122 miles per hour, but the 30-50mph passing acceleration was phenomenal.  This 99 Turbo has a few issues, but it comes with a parts car and the asking price is reasonable.

 See another cheap 99 Turbo for sale? tips@dailyturismo.com