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Legend and truth - Saab 99 GL/S in the (historical) test

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Created on April 3, 1976

Text:

Engelbert Männer

Photos:

Archiv

39

Archiv

39

Saab 99 GL (1977) - made for Swedish winters with front-wheel drive and heated seats

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - four-door sedan with H4 headlights and improved light distribution

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - now with side protection strip and 5-inch wider rims with new hubcaps

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - with a capacity of up to 1500 liters ideal for the trip to the nursery

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - as a two-door sedan

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - initially only available with three doors

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - Sedan, four-door

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - Sedan, two-door

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - good driving characteristics on loose surfaces thanks to front-wheel drive

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - The loading sill is only 53 cm above the floor. The rear door provides the full loading height of 92 cm

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - world premiere, five-door version with tailgate - Geneva Motor Show 1976

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - with practical fifth door - Geneva Motor Show 1976

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - variant with five doors released in the middle of the model year

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - variant with five doors released in the middle of the model year

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Saab 99 (1974) - H4 headlights with standard wiper-washer device

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Saab 99 (1976) - with washer nozzle and wiper for the headlights as standard

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Saab 99 L (1974) - elastic bumpers, insensitive to minor jostling

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Saab 99 (1974) - Hot air defroster for the rear window instead of electric heating wires

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - Interior with focus on high passive safety and heated driver's seat

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Saab 99 L (1974) - Dashboard with warning light for seat belts (center) and steering wheel with padded baffle plate

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Saab 99 L (1974) - Cockpit: the gearshift is easy to hold, accelerator and brake pedals too close together

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Saab 99 EMS (1974) - Door panel with unconventional positioning of opener and window crank handle

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Saab 99 (1975) - two-liter engine with 108 hp

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - with matt black instead of chrome rear-view mirrors

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - sports model with fuel-injected engine and alloy wheels

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - The interior of the sporty top model

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - for the USA with leather sports steering wheel

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Saab 99 GLE (1976) - luxury model introduced in the middle of the model year with gold-colored accents on the wheels and radiator grille

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Saab 99 GLE (1976) - Luxury model with upholstered headrests and heated seats

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Saab 99 GLE (1976) - Steering wheel with extra-large baffle plate

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Saab 99 GL Combi Coupé (1976) - The one millionth Saab rolls off the production line in Trollhättan in January 1976

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - in the "opal green" color typical of the time

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - two-door sedan in "opal green"

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Saab 99 GL (1976) - good driving characteristics on loose surfaces thanks to front-wheel drive

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - the only model available in "Silver Crystal Metallic"

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Saab 99 EMS (1976) - dynamic movement

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Saab 99 (1974) - Sectional drawing of the driver's seat with thermostatically controlled heating up to 27 °C

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Saab 99 (1976) - Transparency drawing

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Summary

On the German market, the Swedish loner was one of those cars that rarely appeared on the roads. Although the Saab 99 GL was regarded as a solid car, a glance at the price list gave many people a fright. Only a thorough study of the standard equipment gave an indication of the high prices. The 1976 test explains this in more detail.

This article contains the following chapters

Prices: Only seemingly high
Models: Clear program
Equipment: With sweets
Operation: with pitfalls
Plus points
Minus points
mot overall verdict
Technology
Technical data

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

On the German market, the Swedish loner is still one of those cars that rarely appear on the roads. Around 1400 cars found a German buyer in 1975, and the trend is rising. The Saab 99 is considered a rock-solid but rather expensive car. If cars can be considered typical products of the national mentality, then the Saab 99 is a classic example. The Swedish welfare state pushes models in a prescribed direction. The car can be expensive, but must last a long time. Strictly monitored speed limits degrade the top speed to a paper value. The Saab equipment is characterized by a pronounced safety mindset, from the flexible bumpers to the standard automatic seat belts for the rear passengers. Large wheels, front-wheel drive and a sophisticated heating system suit the arctic winter.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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