Saab 8000 and 960

It was 1985, and Jack decided that Saab needed a smaller, fuel efficient coupe/sedan. As it happens, he also predicted a joint venture between Saab and Subaru, penning this vehicle with a flat-four Subie engine. Early pages tagged this design the "8000" while later pages have it running under the model name of "960."



Door details shows the characteristic Saab 96 window pivot:


Front hinged hood, ala Saab 96:


More interior details:


"This space for rent" shows careful attention to detail under the vehicle:


More interior details:


Rear view shows asymmetric exhaust layout:


Pretty sure this predates the Nissan Pulsar NX, which had a replaceable rear hatch to form a coupe or wagon back end:


Even the door hinges get consideration:


Front end treatment includes homage to Saab grilles and logos of the past:


Subaru flat-4 engine under the hood of a Saab? Who would have guessed it...


After a few pages, Jack picks back up the theme of the 8000, but with "960" nomenclature. This pages shows the impressive HVAC ducting system:


Final design of the 8000/96. Some of the swoopy coupe lines have been replaced with a boxier 9000-look: