A beautifully presented 1962 Saab 96 two-stroke in Polar White is heading to auction in Sweden, with an estimated value of 85,000 to 100,000 SEK. The early blunt-nose sedan, registered as CRU 706, was restored between 2010 and 2012 and retains its distinctive red and gray interior. Now offered through Bilweb Auctions, the car has been driven approximately 900 to 1,000 kilometers (560 to 620 miles) during its current ownership, which began in 2022.
The Saab recently appeared in a Facebook post by Anders BILAR, who explained that his neighbor had invited him to photograph the car before the sale. His photographs capture the Polar White bodywork, chrome trim, whitewall tires, and remarkably well-preserved cabin. The car is located in the Nordmaling/Umeå area of northern Sweden, and the auction is scheduled to close on September 23, just one day before the 64th anniversary of its first registration.
A Restoration Completed in 2012, Followed by Fourteen Years of Careful Use
The car’s restoration history begins in 2010, when a Saab-enthusiast father and son purchased it through Classic Cars Bilmarknaden. According to the auction description, the body was reasonably sound, with very little rust, but its paintwork needed attention. Over the following two years, the Saab received a fresh Polar White finish and mechanical work that included the engine and braking system. The restoration was completed in the fall of 2012, and the radiator was replaced in 2017. Parts of the project were reportedly documented on the Swedish automotive community website Garaget.org.
The current owner acquired the Saab in the spring of 2022 and reports driving it only 90 to 100 Swedish mil, equivalent to 900 to 1,000 kilometers, mainly to local classic-car gatherings. The owner states that the car has not been driven in the rain during this period and has been stored indoors during winter and beneath a carport in summer. The photographs suggest that the restoration has held up well, with the paintwork, chrome, and exterior trim showing relatively little visible deterioration.
The Red and Gray Interior Is One of This Saab’s Most Interesting Features
Behind the large white steering wheel is a cabin that retains its original red and gray cloth and vinyl upholstery, according to Bilweb’s condition assessment. The contrasting colors extend across the seats and door panels, while the dashboard and original-style instrumentation preserve the appearance of an early 1960s Saab. Unlike many restored classics that receive replacement seats, modern instruments, or completely retrimmed interiors, this example has retained the visual character of its original cabin.
Not every interior component has survived untouched. The original rubber floor mats had deteriorated and were replaced with custom-made dark gray textile mats from Top ‘n’ Trim. Bilweb also identifies two small holes in the headliner. A period child seat is included in the sale, adding an interesting accessory to the car’s presentation, although it should be regarded as a historical item rather than a modern safety restraint.
The interior is particularly interesting when compared with other early Saab restoration projects. The restoration of Simo Lampinen’s Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850, for example, involved recovering and rebuilding a competition car that had disappeared from public view for decades. The Polar White 1962 sedan has a different history: its original road-car character remains largely intact, without the competition equipment or extensive mechanical modifications associated with rally-prepared two-stroke Saabs.
Not Everything Is Factory-Correct
Although the exterior presents well, Bilweb identifies two deviations from the original 1962 specification. The rear fenders are plastic replacements rather than steel, while the emblem fitted to the trunk lid comes from a Saab 96 produced in 1964 or later. Both details are disclosed in the auction description and are worth considering for anyone seeking a completely factory-correct example.
The car retains its original-style wheels with chrome hubcaps and removable whitewall tire inserts. These complement the Polar White paintwork and give the car a period appearance, although the white inserts can be removed without changing the wheels. Together with the replacement rear fenders and later trunk emblem, they illustrate how the restoration has combined original components with practical and cosmetic changes made during the car’s life.
A Three-Cylinder Two-Stroke With a Recorded 46 HP
The Saab is equipped with an 841cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine and a manual transmission. Its Swedish registration data records an output of 34 kW, approximately 46 hp. That figure is worth noting because Bilweb’s documentation for another 1962 Saab 96 two-stroke from the Saab Memorial Hall collection lists 38 hp. The current listing does not explain whether the higher recorded output reflects an original specification, a later modification, or a difference in the registration data.
Bilweb reports that the engine starts easily and runs well, although two mechanical issues are identified. The horn is inoperative, and the brakes engage relatively low in the pedal travel. The auction house suggests that the latter may require adjustment, but the precise cause has not been established. Since the braking system was overhauled during the restoration approximately fourteen years ago, a fresh inspection would be advisable before the car returns to regular use.
The car’s five-digit odometer raises an interesting question about its actual mileage. While the Bilweb listing records 10,000 kilometers, earlier Swedish inspection records show readings of 91,522 and 93,962 kilometers. The instrument may have passed its 100,000-kilometer mark or been replaced during the car’s history, but neither possibility has been confirmed. The total distance covered since 1962 therefore remains unknown. Separately, the current owner reports driving approximately 900 to 1,000 kilometers since purchasing the Saab in 2022.
How Does the Estimate Compare With Other Early Saab 96 Auctions?
Bilweb has assigned this car an estimated value of 85,000 to 100,000 SEK. A useful comparison is the 1962 Saab 96 De Luxe two-stroke offered in 2024, which attracted a final bid of 85,000 SEK and reached its reserve. That car had been maintained by a Saab enthusiast with connections to the marque’s museum community and retained a well-preserved original interior. Its mechanical specification and restoration history differed from those of the Polar White example, but it provides a relevant reference from the same production year.
Another 1962 Saab 96 from the Saab Memorial Hall collection attracted a final bid of 21,100 SEK in August 2024. That car had been stored for years, required bodywork and brake repairs, and had not been inspected since 1981. Its condition was substantially different from the restored example currently offered, demonstrating why the mechanical state, restoration history, and completeness of an individual car matter when comparing auction results.
The contrast becomes even greater with competition-prepared Saabs. The Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850 raced by Simo Lampinen accumulated 188 race starts and 46 victories during its competition career before its eventual restoration. Such a car has historical significance that cannot be compared directly with a standard road-going Saab 96, regardless of how carefully the latter has been restored.
A Separate Auction for Saab Two-Stroke Parts
Anders BILAR also reports that the same seller is offering a substantial collection of Saab two-stroke parts in a separate Bilweb auction. The contents of that collection have not been independently verified, and the parts are not identified as included with the vehicle. Anyone interested in both the car and the spare components should check the two auction listings separately and confirm compatibility with this particular 1962 model.
The Auction Closes September 23
The Polar White Saab 96 is offered from the Nordmaling/Umeå area of Sweden, with bidding scheduled to close on September 23, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. Swedish time. The auction documentation specifies that the vehicle must be collected no later than October 7. The current bidding status, complete photographic gallery, and additional technical information are available in the original Bilweb Auctions listing.
With its 2012 restoration, largely original red and gray interior, and modest recent use, this Saab offers a different proposition from an unrestored survivor or a competition-prepared two-stroke. Its replacement rear fenders, later trunk emblem, and identified mechanical issues are disclosed, allowing bidders to assess the car with a clearer understanding of what has been preserved and what has changed. The September 23 auction will establish how those characteristics translate into a final bid.
Ours was blue. Memories.
I had to sit on my coat to see over the wheel for my first drive at 14.
Bought my first one in 1962 with good help from the family. Good to see the stylish dashboard again. But the steering wheel was different?
Just like my very first car, bought a new one, saved 17000 kroner too, I’m newly-educated and newly-married… Didn’t become any more wives… , but 5 – 6 SAABs through time. Still a couple in the stable with both two and four strokes… but is close to 90 and has parked too well. Walker is the best, now… But the memories live on…!