Last of the line, time warp Saab at CCA'S Christmas sale

A very special and rare 1978 Saab 96L Souvenir V4, the very last made for the UK market, will be going under the hammer next weekend in Classic Car Auctions’ (CCA) Christmas Sale, taking place on Saturday 5th December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa.

This important 1978 Saab is number 150 of 150 right-hand drive model 96 V4s produced for the UK, with a certificate present from Saab themselves to confirm this. It has covered a mere 3,010 miles from new in total, with the present vendor enjoying a pleasurable 1,000 miles of these.

This Saab 96L is in amazing, factory original condition throughout with the Cardinal Red paint, unique to this last UK batch of cars, gleaming. Said to drive perfectly with everything working, including its free-wheel, the vendor enthusiastically informs us it has also won Club show awards on its rare outings.

The individual looking and innovative Saab 96 was in production for 13 years and was renowned for its strength and design attributes, all well highlighted by International Rally successes in the hands of the recently late, great Eric Carlsson.

Other low-mileage classics joining the Saab at the auction include a barn find 1980 MGB, with just one registered keeper and showing just 181 miles from new, and a brightly coloured, highly original 1975 Volkswagen 1300 Beetle showing just 8,762 miles.

Also offered is a fantastically original 1977 Mini Clubman that has covered just 8,703 miles. Originally sold on 14th October 1977, the car was resold on 28th April 1978 to a friend of the original owner. Garaged in 1985 when she stopped driving, the car was put away and never used again.

Commenting on the sale next weekend, CCA general manager, Guy Lees-Milne said: “We have a fantastic selection of single ownership, low mileage classics on offer in our final sale of the year. Cars with history like this always prove in high demand at auction and therefore we expect a lot of interest.”