[elhigh]

I learned to drive in a 1970 SAAB 96, and I loved that quirky beast. I remember noticing, even then, the featureless, broad expanse of the underside of the car. There's almost nothing down there but the exhaust pipe. With a bit of spacers to hold it away you could add a bellypan to the car that would make it truly featureless, or else consider eliminating the muffler and have the exhaust exit at one of the front wheelwells.

That's a daft idea, I know - but I do remember that when the exhaust rotted out it didn't sound much different.

On a long trip from Virginia to Minnesota Dad reported the SAAB was turning in a solid 40mpg; 50 is damned good for modern cars, phenomenal in one that is 40 years old. I'd say you were doing very, very well.