Background
The Saab 999 rally debut came in the 1974 Arctic Rally, entered as a test car along with two Saab 96s. The car was prepared to ‘Standard A Regulations’ which didn’t allow any tuning at all from the standard road car. Saab even put ‘test 110 bhp’ decals on the bonnet.
In late 1975 the Saab 99 EMS was introduced with twin camshafts, 16 valves, producing 220 bhp. This engine was used for two years and considered to be bomb proof! A FIA change to the rules meant Saab would have to produce 400 engines for homologation purposes. Unfortunately, Saab couldn’t afford to finance this.
In late 1977, Saab introduced the Turbo version of the 99 Combi Coupe, and the competitions department were given the green light to develop a rally version.
The 99 Turbo rally car made its competition debut in April 1978, producing 250bhp.Stig Blomqvist drove the car in the Esgair Dafydd Rallysprint where, despite two punctures, he finished fourth.
Two 99 Turbos were entered into the 1978 RAC Rally, both failed to finish and retired with drift shaft failure.
By the 1979 Swedish Rally, the two-door Turbo was homologated into Group 4 and Stig had a resounding victory. This was the first ever WRC victory for a car with a forced induction engine and the catalyst for the technology that went on into future ‘Group B’ cars.
Saab’s Competition Department was closed in 1980 ending their 31 years of motorsport history.
This car
A re-creation of Stig Blomqvist’s 1979 Swedish Rally winning car. All original competition cars were destroyed when the Competition Department was disbanded. The car was built in Greece and imported to the UK by its present owner. It required a major mechanical rebuild and recommission after lying dormant for over 10 years.
The car is used by its present owner at many demonstration events to recreate Saab’s rallying history.
Technical specification
Engine: 2000cc, 4 cylinder, 8 valve
Induction: Turbo charged, Bosch K Jetronic mechanical fuel injection
Transmission: Front wheel drive, four speed manual gearbox
Power: 230 BHP