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Gudmund The Toad 1968 DeLuxe The 98 The Baja 1000 SAABSA EMS
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The idea had, of course, already been explored down three routes by Sixten Sason, Bj�rn Envall, Rolf Mellde and Gunnar Ljungstr�m - four important characters in the development of Saab. In April 1964 project F was chosen.
Despite widespread enthusiasm within Saab for the two-stroke engine it was decided that a four-stroke unit was the only real choice. Without the means to embark on its own costly development Saab had, in 1962, already turned to Ricardo & Co., a British engine design firm.
A 1.2 litre in-line four had been proposed by Ricardo as a replacement for the two-stroke 95 and 96 models, but these plans were shelved. Saab had learned of Triumph's interest in developing a new engine for its cars. Negotiations began in 1963 but it was not until 18 February 1965 that a contract was signed for Triumph to deliver 1.5 litre, later 1.7 litre, engines to Saab.
The joint engine design was to be inclined at 45� since Triumph was planning a V8 from the same basic engine design. The Saab engine was essentially half of a V8.
For the purposes of testing a Saab 96 body, widened by 20cm, was mounted on the floorpan of the forthcoming Saab 99. Four of these test cars, known within Saab as "Toads" were built, but that's another story! The Saab 99 was revealed to the press and public on 22 November 1967.
1964 On 2 April Saab resolves to design a new and larger car. The "Gudmund" Project begins.On November 22 1967 the Saab 99 (codenamed Gudmund) was offically announced at a press conference in Stockholm. The 99 was long lived being manufactured from 1969 to 1984. The 99 lived on in the form of the Saab 90 which was basically a 99 with a 900 sedan rear up until 1987.