Andy Boorman tells us about his highly unique 96

1 This is a unique V4 isn’t it?

‘This car was originally built as a 1966 two-stroke 96, but in the summer of that year, Saab got a bunch of workers together with 200 freshly built two-stroke models, transported them to the north of Sweden, got them to remove the original engine and fit a V4. This is one of those cars!’

2 What is it about the 96 that particularly appeals to you?

‘It’s just so different to anything else and they’re safe, and front wheel drive. Few cars back then had a split braking system, crumple zones and all the fuel and brake pipes inside the car. When I first saw this particular one, I was at a car show with my late father. It belonged to a friend at the time, who allowed my dad to have a go in it. Some years later, after dad had passed away, I decided I had to own the car, so I bought it and restored it.’

3 What are they like to own?

‘Some parts can be difficult to find. Most bits are still available here and there, but I find it wise to buy spares whenever they come up, just in case. I tend to do all my own work, welding myself and maintaining as required.’

4 Are they hard to restore?

‘When it comes to fabrication, you must work hard to get the shapes right. Underneath the inner wing, where the brake pipes go, that’s three sheets of steel – one on top of each other.’

5 Have you been far in yours?

‘I recently did 850 miles in it, while I have also been to the Isle of Wight. If you told me to drive the length of Britain right now, I'd be off straight away. It’s just such a brilliantly designed car.'