FIRST of all an apology. Last week, when we invited our “old car spotters” to send in the identity of a car photographed in November 1972, we did not mean that only people of advancing years were allowed to spot the identity of the old car. Young people were welcome, too, and we are sure that many did.

Secondly, many thanks to young and old who emailed. There was consensus that our two-tone vehicle was, in fact, made by the Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget – the Swedish Aircraft Corporation, or Saab for short.

But there was debate about the model number, with people talking about the shape of the headlights indicating the type of engine beneath the bonnet.

David Pilgrim of Topcliffe appeared to give a definitive history. “I was the proud owner of a new Saab 96 in October 1967, fortunately bought just before Harold Wilson devalued the pound,” he said. “Your car is the estate version of the 96 and is a Saab 95. The 95 and 96 models were introduced in 1960 and originally had three cylinder, two-stroke engines, but from 1967 they were fitted with 1.5 litre V4 engines as used in the German-built Ford Taunus. There was a styling change for the 1969 model and this resulted in rectangular headlamps – as in your image – rather than the original round ones.”

Richard Stone explained: “The health and safety brigade was getting into its stride in the 1960s and the earlier engine was deemed too dirty for certain markets, hence the change of engine.”

David Mollard of Leeming said: “The floor in the rear folded up to offer two rear facing seats – it was an early seven-seater, if you were of small stature. It was always a thrill as a child to be sat in the back waving at drivers!”

Colin Reid of Baldersby said: “It was based on the Saab 93 saloon, and both the 93 and 96 did well in rallies driven by well known drivers like Pat Moss and Erik Carlsson, who I believe came fourth in a 95 in the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally.

“I had a work colleague who drove a 1971 dark green 96 which in 1983 was still going really well after more than 100,000 miles with no visible rust – which was something of a novelty in 1970s cars.”

Gerald Burnett of Richmond was one of several who asked: “Why your car is two-tone is a mystery – it was not a factory option.”

Gary Cunningham of Boltby added: “With its original two stroke engine, the Saab had the unusual feature of a freewheel which provided improved fuel economy though in reality was essential as due to being a two stroke engine only received cylinder lubrication when the throttle was open and the fuel/oil mix allowed to enter the engine.” We’re not sure we understand all this, except to say that the car freewheeled downhill faster when the engine was disengaged.

He added: “It's a shame General Motors killed off Saab in 2011, but their penchant for quirkiness and doing things a bit different proved a bit much for the bean counters.”

Honourable Saab-related mentions to Duncan Hamilton of Northallerton, John Swales, Ian Gravestock of Yarm, Mark Cooper of Darlington, Phil Garwood, David Seex of Thirsk, John Weighell of Neasham, Tony Tomalin-Reeves of Easingwold, Gary Burke, Tim Trapster and Robert Carey.

BY happy coincidence, we learn that a 1964 Saab 96 from Darlington is through to the grand finale of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show in Birmingham this weekend.

It has been restored by Martin Healey in memory of his wife, Mandy, who died before he could complete the work.

He said: "I had always wanted a two-stroke 96, but it was impractical as an everyday car and so it had to wait until I could buy a project seven years ago.

“The plan was to restore the car and then to take it to shows together.

“We were looking forward to seeing and enjoying the car when it was done – Mandy loved the shape of it.

“The only way I felt I could continue with the restoration was to do it for her and dedicate the car to her. I think she would have been very proud of the result.”