Saab 93B DeLuxe 1959 – Barn Find Basket Case

I got myself a 1959 Saab 93B DeLuxe. Three cylinders, 750 cc, three speed manual, suicide doors originally. Strictly speaking it’s not a barn find since the owner had it for sale, but it has stayed in a barn for 20+ years… But it most definitely is a basket case since it has been completely taken apart.

I had seen the for sale listing a few times, but the car seemed like too much project. After thinking about it for a while I decided to go at least see it anyway. Maybe it would be worth the parts if nothing else.

The parts were in a barn and it looked like quite a bit had been lost over the years. At least the original 750 cc engine, seats, roof lining, front hubs, and what not were missing.

The body was in another barn. Restoration had been started, but never gotten much further than taking the car apart. Some welding had been done (and need to be re-done), but that’s about it.

It was pretty obvious that a restoration is not really a good idea. But I have a few ideas on what to do with it…

I managed to get the price knocked down quite a bit and now I own a Saab 93B. It will be a long term project. There are other cars to finish first. So – no project posts on this for a long while. But some day…

Here’s some photos:

That's what I call a basket case. A mix set of parts - a lot of them missing. — That’s what I call a basket case. A mix set of parts – a lot of them missing.

I think the Saab 93B instrument panel looks quite nice. Simple and straightforward.

The suicide doors. Original colors of the cars would have been black body with red interior. Red seats, red door cards, red roof liner, red dashboard. Pretty cool combination.

The previous owner had the paint removed, but did not get any further than that. There is quite a bit of surface rust.

The engine bay is relatively solid. Not a lot to weld here at all.

Same goes with the wheel wells. They are pretty decent.

The Saab 93 trunk area has all the same rust spots as a Saab 96. The regular places need to be welded.

The trunk floor is one of the worst parts, but doable.

Some poor repair work previously done. The whole front floor section needs to come of to be properly done.

Here's a neat accessory this car had. A Saab 93/96 extra heating unit. It's a set of heaters warmed by the engine water circulation. These are rare. — Here’s a neat accessory this car had. A Saab 93/96 extra heating unit. It’s a set of heaters warmed by the engine water circulation. These are rare.

Here's the extra heater in a accessory catalog from 1962. — Here’s the extra heater in a accessory catalog from 1962.

Saab 93B among it's peers. In my garage. — Saab 93B among it’s peers. In my garage.

2 Comments

Gerald Shippen

21.4.2016 at 07:47 8 years ago


Hey Tommi, that 93 b looks really fun stocked in the shop. Keep us posted, please.
Myles Poulton

25.2.2020 at 13:53 4 years ago


I have a Sabb 93B race car which we are running at The Lemans Classic in July I am looking for spare parts to build a spare 750cc engine do you know of anyone with parts or a complete 750 engine for sale

2 Comments

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