Love in the Ruins of SAAB: 1974 99 EMS // CARISMA

[@rarcal9775]

I am a French currently living in Stockholm and it’s a joy to see so many Saabs in the streets every day. Such great cars!

[@euntinen]

I was born thanks to SAAB. My father who immigrated to Sweden from Finland after the Winter War, bought a factory new 99 Turbo in Sweden. He then went back to Finland during his summer vacation with that same Turbo. He saw a blonde out jogging and honked his horn at her, she then came home and asked her mother who the "Swedish man with the "SAAB Turbo" was, and she told her my fathers name. Many years later i came to be. I am now restoring a SAAB 1992 900i 2,1 and loving the brand more than ever. Thanks for this, Zurich you are amazing and your cars are aswell.

[@drive]

haha, that’s incredible. good on your parents, and good luck with the restoration!

[@erlendlundvall]

How old was your father when he emigrated? The Winter War happened in 1939 and the first 99 Turbo was built in 1977.

[@euntinen]

@@erlendlundvall He was about 7 i think, he emigrated with his parents ofcourse a few years after the Winter War. He bought the car in 1977, he was 30 then. I was born when he was 39, he is now 76!

[@S1D3KlCK]

I love what this series seems to be, because to me, it fills the void that Petrolicious left when that collapsed some years back.

[@drive]

high praise, thank you 🙏

[@13THPR0PH37]

I totally agree... Literally what I was thinking. A cat is amazing but what the owner see in their prize is what makes the car special.

[@TheBTG88]

I’ve been driving Saabs for 40 years. I will never be without one.

[@anthonydietmeier6524]

This is so much better than any content regarding modern cars.

[@drive]

we like to think so! thanks for watching

[@Amidat]

Agreed! Imagine - cars even had buttons instead of touch screens - lol. But yeah cars now are like smart phones on wheels.

[@zollotech]

Such a nice collection of SAAB in a beautiful space.

[@kilppa]

Such a beauty. I learned to drive in a Saab 900 and the brand still holds a special place in my heart.

[@NikkoSalgado]

My first car was a 9000 Aero. Fun fact: 50-75mph faster than a Ferrari Testarossa. The best OEM seats ever. So comfortable. What blast it was to drive around in high school. Such an underrated car

[@erikerin2016]

Excellent to see this video! My very first car was an early 70's Saab 99. I was in Iowa in the 80's, still in high school - and no one knew what it was or what to make of it and ended up paying next to nothing for a one owner with very low mileage. It was excellent and everyone wanted to ride in it after school or "cruising the strip" in my very small country town... Long gone but never forgotten. Sitting in a cafe taking a break on a motorcycle ride and watching this video made my day. Nicely done.

[@drive]

Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Sounds like you’re having a pretty great Friday!

[@rodf73]

I learned how to drive stick on a Saab 99 at Jones Beach West End 2 when I was a kid in the 80's. Thanks for the memories.

[@drive]

bet that was a blast

[@blisterbrain]

That was the "cool" beach!

[@rodf73]

@@blisterbrain Was a great place to get away from hot concrete of Queens. Many fond memories...

[@vikramrao6391]

Gorgeous cars and video. As a happy owner of a 93 and 95 I can comfortably say "if you know, you know". Always have a big grin on my face everyime I put my foot down.

[@drive]

thanks for keeping the saab love going

[@Saabinseptime]

Magnificent specimens in there. Congratulations to the happy owner

[@vorakijpunyashthiti2820]

I spent countless hours in my dad's SAAB 99. It's the car that makes me get into cars. This clip really bring back many fond memories.

[@walkingwithcats]

Great guy, great video. Love everything about it. Music, interview, car shots, edits, amazing. So well put together

[@drive]

thank you!

[@danielrussell9416]

My first car was a Saab 99E and I still think it has the most beautiful lines of any car I have ever seen.

[@Vashtorical]

Theres a passionate community of us keeping these cars alive, I've got an 08 9-3 Aero 6mt wagon and an 07 9-7x 5.3 for a daily. There is an experience that is these cars. thank you for sharing this story!

[@drive]

that's an amazing combination. what do the neighbors think?

[@Vashtorical]

@@drive they love them. They’re car enthusiasts as well, at work, everyone drools over the wagon because It’s my take on how these should look eurospec.

[@EngineeredMojo]

I like the variety being brought to the channel!

[@drive]

thank you 🙌 we’ve got loads more coming up!

[@snobotz]

Reminds me of Petrolicious content in a good way. Thanks for this!

[@drive]

@@snobotz kinda what we're aiming for with this series. thanks for watching!

[@jonathanhernandez4304]

My first Saab was a 99, then I got a Turbo 900. So through my 20's to my late 40's I was a Saab 900 fan. Now in retrospect I really want back my 99. It's cooler in my memory, and would certainly be cool to have today.

[@16jnajm]

I've been wanting a 99 EMS forever

[@intrepid5684]

I'm a Saab lover, owner and I love your space and how you've filled it.

[@DTC2025]

The key in the center and the flight mode in the speedometer. I miss saab cars, now we just have planes :(

[@drive]

long live the night panel!

[@PlattLaneEnd]

Hello from Manchester, England. Probably the best 8 minutes I've ever watched on KZbin. In terms of coolness, you are off the scale my friend. I've owned 8 Saabs: 3 classics, 2 9000's, 2 x NG 900's and a 9.5. Still nothing to touch them. They are moving, working art. Best wishes!

[@BackyardSpaceProgram]

Ahhh, SAAB ❤ As a former owner of 99, 900, 9-3 and several 9-5 I love this. That "pshh" sound when you turn the dial on the climate control. Cheers from Sweden!

[@xharding]

Great light in this video the cars looks magic.

[@drive]

tom is a magic man

[@joecutro7318]

Beautiful space filled with beautiful examples of automotive history. I'm on my 2nd Saab. ❤

[@PLAYERSLAYER_22]

if you drive a saab, car companies hate you because you are not giving them money.

[@grievuspwn4g3]

Parts sellers on eBay love you though.

[@Jay-jb2vr]

Oof!

[@spavatch]

I drive a Lancia tho…

[@lupusalbus3795]

​@@grievuspwn4g3 came here to post this

[@mikaelsimble382]

Know the feeling, I drive a Plymouth..

[@jonasmelander]

My first time driving a car was in my grandfathers brown SAAB 96. It was an experience I'll never forget.

[@TheNismo777]

What a car! You dont see em like this anymore!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Fantastic car and fantastic story! Saab rules! 🇸🇪

[@vanheestvisual]

awesome cars, EPIC garage, and the nicest guy. I've met him at a few NYC car shows. this video was great!!

[@JurgenLahey]

All your Saabs look beautiful! Nice to see someone taking such good care of them! A fellow Saab owner from Belgium

[@-DC-]

The 9000 was a Wonderful Combination of Power Comfort and Understated Class in the right Spec, Shame GM didn't really have a clue what to do with SAAB.

[@drive]

shame GM got involved in the first place. saab needed a lifeline, but still

[@worawatli8952]

I'm with a 9000 CD for 3 years now, I love how it doesn't bring me any attention, only people that know cars would look at me, it's like what a car should be, nothing more, nothing less, comfortable, safe, powerful enough.

[@carandcanine]

Each sentence this guy says makes the car more impressive. Euro delivery, autocross career, ...like, what?! Never even seen one of these in person.

[@JT-qd4jh]

These cars are art - they inherited the souls of their creators who were swimming against the tides of orthodoxy, "good enough," and sameness. I love these cars and am making baby steps daily to spend my days restoring these beautiful machines. (yeah, I know I sound pompous, but who cares, these things are just that good)

[@AndrewDasilvaPLT]

Thank you for your work.

[@tyler9703]

My dad's first car was a Saab 99. He loved that thing to bits and literally drove it until it died.

[@rjs2005]

I love the contrarians in the car world. Not too far from me is a small dealership that focuses solely on Saabs, called "Saabman". Although the vast majority of the cars he has (and parts as well) are the GM-era Saabs, it's always fun to visit him and check out the unique cars he buys, repairs and resells. Personally, my contrarian car is a '88 Mazda RX-7 convertible- not fast, not especially agile, but the unique sound that emanates from the exhaust puts a smile on my face every time I twist that key. Great story, thanks for sharing!

[@KN-jw7ts]

Best episode yet.

[@drive]

and we're just getting rolling!

[@John_Findlay]

In the mid 1980s I owned a 1974 Saab 99 EMS 2-door saloon in silver . Fab car, really well designed, with enough headroom for me (long back). I was gutted when I had to sell it due to poverty, and the chap I sold it to wrecked it through ignorance. The engine was really strong, and burned no oil at all at 100,000 miles, which was pretty good compared with most cars of that era. The brakes were fabulous, and saved my bacon on one nasty occasion on a wet road. The feel was so good you could hold the brakes just off wheel lock-up as the pedal feedback was so good. It only had a 4-speed gerabox, but that wasn't really an issue. In top gear from 50-80 mph you just had to press the go pedal and it was on song. The only issue I had was a hot start problem. It had Bosch Jetronic D, and for some reason it could sometimes get itself in a knot and fail to start when hot, say after re-fuelling. It took a good 30 seconds of cranking to get it going again, and it would fire on one cylinder only, then two, then when the third kicked in you could let go of the starter and it would take off. Thankfully it had a huge battery. Volvos of the same era were crude in comparison. The demise of Saab was a great loss.

[@princesssolace4337]

Old Saabs and Volvos scares me .... brought me back to my childhood ... my teachers drove them😅

[@walkingwithcats]

Those teachers had good jobs and good taste…. School kids dont

[@princesssolace4337]

@@walkingwithcats it's the headmaster and discipline teachers who drove them .... got one English teacher/cricket coach drove the Volvo1800 Simon Templar

[@walkingwithcats]

@@princesssolace4337 Headmaster - leading by example like a boss! But wait, there were lessons in discipline?

[@walkingwithcats]

@@princesssolace4337 cricket + volvo = hero

[@princesssolace4337]

@@walkingwithcats back in the day only headmaster and discipline teachers have the power/rights to cane your ass

[@voodooturbo]

I will never forgive GM for killing Saab yet keeping GMC and Hummer around. Saabs were so great. I still have my 06 9-5 wagon and just can't bring myself to part with it yet. I've had it longer than any other car in my life (which isn't saying much since I like changing cars, but it's been 5 years). It's so smooth and still pulls quite well. Not to mention the wagon design being incredibly useful.

[@drive]

you might as well keep it forever at this point

[@voodooturbo]

@@drive The old gal is helping me through another move shortly so she's not going anywhere just yet!

[@VinDieselS70]

The SAAB 9000 CS id as modern today as it was in 1991. One of the best design in the last 30 years.

[@mbb900xx]

My first car at age 16 was a 1980 Saab 99 2 door notchback, color was light M&M brown. I still miss it to this day. Nothing else drives like it or handles like it. Saved my life in emergency maneuvers on the freeway several times. Such an awesome car. Wasn't highly reliable, but wow. I've never felt as safe in any other car. Was a blast to drive.

[@tauncfester3022]

I owned a 1970 SAAB 99 EMS which the PO had fit a 1973 EMS B engine into. It was a mess initially but it eventually, with small fixes became a daily driver for 7 years. It's the 4 door sedan. The "cab forward" windshield and the odd wipers, the nice interior, the amazing monster torque of the EMS 2.0 liter with the first year's hot cam, and it was one of the most rust free examples of an older SAAB I've seen in Oregon. I gave it away, I kinda miss that particular SAAB, I liked my 2 cycles, but the 99 was something you could drive down to SoCal and not need to worry about it not having enough freeway entrance zip.

[@kevmagill5163]

Awesome cars!!! Great video, straight to CarGurus.

[@drive]

godspeed in the hunt

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Being a 'contrarian'. Nice theme! As well as you mentioning the 9000 being Saab's masterpiece. Agreed. It was a revelation when they released it in 1984. As a turbo 16. That put every owerblown German offering of the time to shame.

[@ericzwart3640]

My first car learned on on a 1977 SAAB 99 Turbo that would become my first car. It was way faster then it had any business being and had the reputation at my high school of being "The Swedish Rocket Tank". I would go on to own a 2001 SAAB 9-3 SE and a 2003 SAAB 9-3 SE after. I am currently out of the SAAB world but Would love to get myself into a SAAB 9-3 Viggen.

[@regiasama3565]

I really wish SAAB still made cars. ❤ i would so love to own one...

[@elicansmile]

Great video! Reminds me of how KZbin used to be. All the best wishes in your big return!

[@drive]

rock on, thank you

[@AbrarSharif-h8t]

The orange 99 is just magnificent! I have a 1971 silver mink with a red velour interior Saab 99. Love Saab.

[@LarsLindroth]

The SAAB 101 comment happened to be by me. I'm blessed with a 1996 manual SAAB 9000 Aero, and though I only sold a handful as a salesman in my 20-year SoCal SAAB retail and wholesale career, this is only the second one I've been fortunate to be a caretaker of. Maybe I've only retailed 1,000 SAAB cars, but I was fortunate, at one time 20 years ago, to have a $3 million credit line to buy 70-80 SAAB cars a month at the auctions for SAAB of Santa Monica & SAAB of South Bay. The legendary SAAB franchise in Greater Los Angeles was always Lindqvist SAAB in Culver City, that's where the Swedish Monte Carlo Rally legendary winner Erik Carlsson set up his Baja SAAB 96 race cars and dusted the competition in the late '60s. SAAB cars might be born from Jets, but their down-to-earth owners will always find their own roads.

[@Hobotraveler82]

I love Swedish cars. Volvos, but especially Saab. The underdog. I remember seeing a dark green Saab 900 2 door sitting on a dealers lot when i was a kid and fell in love with its looks. Someday I hope to own a SAAB. 😊

[@schuherimamov7467]

So smooth and warm video. Nice place. Amazing cars. I drive BMW E34 only because I didn’t find 9000 Aero in good condition. But one day I’ll own 900 Turbo. Happy that at least Scania still alive.

[@drive]

goes down easy, doesn’t it?

[@regiasama3565]

A SSAB is a crime really adore. The thought of the design elements put into it is engineering genius.

[@Zombiesnak]

So beautiful. My first cars were Saab 99s and eventually 900s. I got the cast-off cars from my family after they hit 150k miles or so. I think my second car was like yours here- mid 70s, in that great orange color. Miss it and I can still smell that lovely smell of the interior. First car was mixed green/white (different body parts) and I think was a '73.

[@bjorn2290]

Amazing !

[@joecutro7318]

Originally a New Yorker, but 30+ years in Seattle now. Because of the many Scandinavians who immigrated here decades ago, we likely see more Saabs per capita and have several shops still dedicated to servicing them. I hope to keep enjoying mine on the road for years to come.

[@jcnieves2992]

Beautiful story, thank you 7:07

[@e28forever30]

Small correction: the engine in the 99 was not their own design, it was a Triumph engine, coming from the Dolomite. Enjoyed the video, pretty cool cars!

[@jukka-pekkasoila9047]

What a collection! I owned 3 9-3 Saabs in a row before the company collapsed and then I bought an Audi 😢. My father had 5 Saabs from 96 to 9000. Loved those cars, the best and safeest for finnish winter. I think the 9000 cs aero was the pinnacle moment of Saab albeit of it's half italian origin... Have to buy an og 900 turbo Aero some day though. Not the best Saab maybe, but the definite one.

[@lindonandlisa8114]

just love Saab one day I get one

[@JoeyJoJoJuniorShabbadoo]

Nice piece. Well done.

[@drive]

thank you friend

[@Heaffy_21]

I love Saab. Just sold mine and I miss its little quirks like the cup holder, centre ignition and Nightpanel. I hope to own another in the future, maybe 9-3 TurboX

[@One_LuvZ]

Saab was always that brand to me as a kid that evokes like the owner stated "Why?". Yet, that always fascinates me and over time like these oddballs.

[@ambirmin]

He’s living the dream, in Brooklyn but has a “barn” space. Win win.

[@joeseeking3572]

I really like both of these Saabs. The 99 is a masterpiece of quirkiness, and I'd tend to agree the 9000 was the pinnacle, though I'm sure the 9-5 crowd would disagree. I came *this close* to buying a 9000 aero stickshift in 1999 - it had been sunset but the dealer had a clean very low mile trade. Loved it, but I just could not deal with the short seat bolster. Instead a Volvo S70 T5 with the stick got the nod; it didn't look as sophisticated inside or out, but it 'fit'. Just from feel, I'd say they were about equally matched in acceleration. Hard to say if I made the right decision - the Saab was more art.

[@LudvigLagerfors]

Im from sweden, own one in past an 1970 model 99 but also in past hade one saab V4

[@j4559]

reminds me of how Petrolicious's videos used to be, keep up the good work 👍

[@drive]

we tryin

[@_que]

Thank for the East Coast car culture content.

[@pjkearney6062]

That 99 is a beauty I also done my driving test in a 99L SAAB here in Ireland the 99 is long gone but I have a 88 reg 900 TURBO as a classic its a 2 door notchback which are rare here in Ireland SAAB was always an interesting car to own and drive

[@ottodob]

love it. grew up with a 900 turbo

[@KhalilCora]

Zurichclassicars is the holy grill of Saabs in BK!!!⚡️🏁

[@e28forever30]

So you can eat there too?

[@Sam-uy7oq]

Love this car series.

[@GtstangLv]

Oh shoot, The Drive is back!

[@drive]

oh shoot!

[@petegrantham3985]

My first car was a 1998 SAAB 9000 CSE. I was 18 and bought it in mint condition from a family friend. I truly miss it every single day. This video was like seeing the girlfriend that got away on TV

[@drive]

you'll always have paris...

[@drh3rd]

Had exactly the same color, 1976, GL. One day... I want an EMS.

[@Currawong]

My mother had a SAAB 99L. There are many design aspects of it I miss.

[@mikes1929]

Great video. I think I’ll go take a ride in my 9-3 Viggen now :)

[@G58]

My first SAAB was an orange four door 99. A truly great car.

[@nateopotatoe8742]

Everyone said I bought a Saab story when I got my 07 93 convertible. It’s been almost 10 years and I’ve never had anything bad happen and I have loved this car more than my Camaros, malibus etc. I will always have a special place in my heart and am glad I didn’t listen to the haters for my Saabrina.

[@drive]

keep it going!!

[@WOFFY-qc9te]

I Navigated for a friend with a 93, V4 engine the SAAB exceeded the drivers talent and we ended up with a fallen tree stuffed into the engine. Body was fine but the engine had been push down and ended up behind the car. Welch stages of the Lombard RAC, Stig Bomqvist drove the 99 Combi T and he punched the start of our stage so hard it chucked a slate into a new Ford through the seat and into the door. But during the stage Stig managed to fell a tree and finished 1 sec up on the Volvo. My dad had the 96 Combi, Mum drove over an Austin Maxi then hit ARMCO barrier and ended up in a ditch with my Grandmother sitting unperturbed listening to the radio whist the tow truck arrived, the car was back on the road later that month with new bumper and a headlight the Austin was destroyed. Then a 900 which was in my opinion not as good as the Combi. Generally the SAAB was a sound chassis and very strong, I would love another 99 Combi T. Thanks for posting, that is a nice car you have there.

[@TheDarkPhoenix23]

I owned a SAAB, and didn't think it really fit my personality well. I do think they're neat cars though, and I'm always happy to see enthusiastic people loving on odd, different, or quirky cars.

[@mjrtensepian1727]

Great specimens! Love the combi coupe/"wagonback", but I think the "notchbck " is better proportioned for the short hood of the 99. Either model, turbo, on Incas is my dreamcar.

[@drive]

you have excellent taste

[@MrSqu1nty]

Videos like this are why I didn't unsub. The Zero Fucks Given drew me in. This will draw me back.

[@drive]

bless you 🤟

[@dashiznit89]

My 1976 SAAB 99 is the best ❤

[@tombier9170]

My first car was a '74 orange combi coupe. Eventually upgraded to the soccer ball alloys and a tach. Every time I see a current Subaru Cross trek in orange with the angular alloy wheels I think the designer grew up with an orange 74 EMS.

[@TundeEszlari]

I love your videos.

[@kabran7829]

Saab ❤

[@corysekine-pettite1783]

Very cool car(s).

[@MangoNizer]

Beautiful video - but I do think the soundtrack should have been all ABBA. :-)

[@taur73]

My first car was a 99EMS horribly resprayed in my dad's garage with black matte paint originally for excavators, and it was so durable that when rust took the side panels the paint made it still look good,, 😂 ever since then i owned 6 or 7 saabs,,,

[@drink4711]

That 99 is SO lovely!! It's the star of this video in my opinion. The 9000 always reminds me of the Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema. Not sure it was SAAB's masterpiece to be honest.

[@pepitogrillo91]

I have one and love it❤❤❤❤

[@kleinking364]

Love it had an 86 9000T another 869000t lowered on Koni shocks, then a 93 9000 CD then a 91 9000 NA still have dreams about those cars I love them just no body to work on them where I live

[@supersaabclaire]

Oh Saab ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TwistedAnkles]

Awesome. I have many Saabs!

[@snobotz]

Heated seats in the 70’s 😮

[@drive]

they actually debuted in 1966!

[@Goooooo]

Had two 9000s in the 90s and forty some cars later the 87 manual is the car I'd like to rebuy most

[@TheCarLovingSwede]

As a Swede I approve this ❤

[@fadedjate7230]

I have always been intrigued by Saabs. Is there anything I should know before buying one? Preferably, I want the late 70s/ 80s fastback.