Tommi’s Saab Site

Me and my friend Tomi “Tikkis” Tikanmäki have a new project.

We are collecting info and pictures of the Finnish Saab Works Team of 1970′s. Saab Works Finland built 19 full specs Saab 96 rally cars and 2 Saab 99 16 valve cars from 1970 onwards and brought home many international and scandinavian victories for Saab. Many of the cars have survived to this day, which makes this project (finding out their history) very exciting. The long term goal is to collect a comprehensive archive of all the drivers, cars, the team, etc.

I’m sorry the site is currently in Finnish only, we still have a ton of info and pics to upload so the english translation will come later: www.saabworks.fi

But at least you can check out the cars from the top navigation (they are indexed by the registration number and all the Saab Works Finland team cars can be found under the Saab Works Finland tab). There are also other cars featured on the site, just click through the top menu to see them.

Woodbecker Motorsport is Tomi’s team – he drives the AYA-10 Saab 96 ExWorks rally car in the Historic Rally Trophy here in Finland and does quite well in it also. AYA-10 was the first Saab 96 built by Saab Works Finland for Leo Kinnunen to compete in the 1970 Rally Of The 1000 Lakes. It’s very cool that the same car is still being raced 40 years later.

We are very interested in all pictures and materials concerning the Finnish teams efforts abroad. Finns participated in many rallies in Scandinavia and also the RAC in many years. If you have info, statistics, interviews from old magazines, pictures or anything related to the blue&white cars and their drivers, we would very much appreciate a scan or copy. Please contact us at saabworks@gmail.com.

Tommi

I just stumbled on the FormulaSAAB site – the “Quantum Formula S Online Registry“. Great site with tons of info on these Saab racers.

• Information about the Quantum Formula S that is found in sources like company sales information, magazine articles, books, and letters.
• Restoration resources such as vendors, services and parts information.

http://www.formulasaab.com/

Such a great little story about some DIY tuning on the two strokes – I had to repost this here. Here’s a shortened version of an eBay ad selling some pretty rare stuff:

“These moulds have been in the back for almost 40 years, for some, it’s kind of like uncovering some famous Mummy, others it’s like a medical oddity, and whenever I look at them my stomach churns.  I don’t know if they could even be used anymore, maybe collectors material, enclosed in a glass case or something…

Anyway, I’ve been sitting on these moulds for years, wanting to find the right home, I think E-Bay is the best way at this point.”

Find the original eBay item here.
Originally posted by “jpk644″ on the Saab Club Of Finland forum.

I wasn’t really satisfied with the directional light mods I did earlier – so I did a few changes that I think work better and suit the car better (not that they are visible).

I took off the ugly patch I made earlier and inserted a proper rubber seal into the hole.

I then used some black silicon rubber to "glue" the 900 light in place.

And also to seal the rubber blug. I think that will work ok.

I also installed the headlights.

New H4 headlights with parking lights.

Tapping out the attachment iron threads.

Fitting the attachment iron and chrome

Punching out the paper seals for the attachment iron.

The little paper "seals" go here - between the support ring and the chrome ring. I don't actually know exactly why they are there - maybe to act as an "insulator" (corrosion protection) between the black attachment iron and the zinc plated piece on the chrome ring. Or maybe they just keep the screw from falling if it becomes loose...

No lights yet. Aluminium list are installed.

The little mounting rubber.

Headlight unit in place (also the adjustment screws with springs).

Here we go. Not the correct position yet - needs adjustment.

And the other side.

We also fitted some other pieces:

The air scoop.

The rubber seal had shrunk so we glued two seals together to get a sufficiently long one.

Trunk handle. Ok condition - not perfect. Maybe I can find a better one some day...

Minor issues. The window rubber seals have shrunk also. But I think we may be able to stretch them by gluing them in a bit by bit.

Oli from Iceland sent me this photo of his 1963 Saab 96. The car is rusted but complete. Good luck with the project Oli!

João from Portugal sent me these photos of his 1964 Saab 96 two stroke that he is restoring. Looks great so far – I think it will look spectacular when finished!