1967 Saab 95

SAAB (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget) began as a Swedish aircraft manufacturer, later venturing into the automotive industry with its SAAB 92, in late 1949. With the end of World War II, SAAB needed to fill its now dormant aircraft manufacturing facility, and automobile production was the logical choice. Applying their engineering talents and construction methodology to road-going vehicles, the company developed a reputation for its front-wheel drive cars. Their aircraft-inspired design helped segregate them from more traditional companies, and their success in rally competition proved they could compete on the world's tougest stage.

SAAB's first station wagon was the 95 introduced in 1959 and produced through 1978. Initially, it was based on the Saab 93 sedan with two doors and seating for seven. It had a 98.4-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 169.3 inches, and was powered by a three-cylinder two-stroke engine displacing 841cc. From 1967 onward, it was offered with the engine powering the Saab 96 - a four-stroke Ford Taunus V4 engine. The transmission was a four-speed manual unit with a small handle on the firewall that activated 'freewheeling' mode, allowing the car to coast downhill without seizing the two-stroke engine. When power was needed, the transmission would engage.

Saab 95 models sent to the United States were fitted with a 1.7 liter V4 engine with lowered compression ratio for the 1971 model year due to escalating emission standards. Sales of the Saab 95 continued in the U.S. until 1973. Other markets continued to receive the Saab 95 through 1978, with total production reaching 110,527 units.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2023