1993 SAAB 900 Turbo saloon

Highlights


∙Incredible low-mileage classic 900
∙One of the last ‘real’ SAABs
∙Ultra-rare saloon with auto transmission
∙Imported from Japan and extensively recommissioned

The Background

With its aircraft-inspired aerodynamics and unique looks, the SAAB 900 enjoyed an impressive 16-year production run, during which it became renowned for its incredible longevity, peerless build quality and an ability to completely defy convention.
It looked like nothing else on the road, and in 1979 it introduced a new innovation in the form of turbocharging – shared with the smaller SAAB 99 on which it was based. Almost every petrol or diesel car on the road today has a turbocharger, but back in the 900’s heyday the idea of forced induction was a real novelty. 
It also made the 900 one of the most entertaining cars of its era to drive, with incredible acceleration and barely checked torque steer. Even now, a good 900 is a thrilling car to drive. 
This example is particularly unusual in that it’s both a four-door saloon and an automatic, which used a three-speed Borg Warner transmission and is regarded by those in the know to be the smoothest and most driveable of the 900 Turbos – we’ll come to that. 
It’s a genuine low-mileage car, with the added benefit of never having been driven on salted roads.

_MG_2695.jpeg 5.36 MB

The History

The SAAB spent the majority of its life in Japan, where it was first registered in 1993. 
It was imported to the UK in 2018 by Valley Cars and Classics in Berkshire, which specialises in bringing in some of the more unusual models from Japan including low mileage European modern classics. 
Since its arrival in the UK, the 900 has had substantial recommissioning work including a brake and ABS overhaul, air conditioning recharge, new bushes and ball joints, new rubber and vacuum hoses, a new water pump and a reconditioned steering rack. 
The vendor is reluctantly parting with it to fund the purchase of an immaculate BMW E28, but has adored owning the SAAB for the past three years and 13,000 miles.

_MG_2682.jpeg 3.42 MB

The Paperwork

As a Japanese import, there’s not a huge amount of paperwork with the car, but it does have a UK V5C and MOT valid until August 2022. Also included is the original Japanese handbook, which is an interesting artefact in itself.
It also comes with service paperwork showing its last service just a few miles ago in June this year, along with paperwork from a selection of well-known SAAB specialists documenting its history since the vendor bought it, including one bill documenting a full underside clean-up and underseal.

_MG_2776.jpeg 2.52 MB

The Exterior

Finished in Oderado Grey (known as Edwardian Grey on UK market cars), the 900 looks absolutely fantastic, sitting on classic SAAB three-spoke rims and with good tyres all round. The alloys are SAAB Super Aero wheels, chosen by the current owner. The original wheels are also available with the car, which would be a good option if you want a set of winter tyres as well.
The paint finish is superb and there’s no rust that we could see anywhere – one of the beauties of a Japanese import is that they don’t put salt on the roads there, which means you don’t see the same levels of corrosion. It has also had all of the drain holes, in the doors, sunroof and scuttle panels, cleaned out to avoid any corrosion risk.
All of the panels are straight with no dings or dents, and it really does look fabulous.

_MG_2702.jpeg 4.56 MB

The Interior

With the equivalent of just 37,000 miles on the clock, it’s no wonder that the 900 is in fine order inside, with none of the droopy headlining often seen in 900s – they all do that, sir, but this one has been attended to. Only the sunroof liner is a little droopy, but it’s by no means bad or noticeable.
It also has a near-perfect dashboard, free of any cracks. Again, highly unusual for a first-generation 900. The air conditioning and central locking are in perfect working order, as are the electric windows, sunroof, mirrors and cruise control.
It has also been fitted with a period correct Blaupunkt Frieburg CR42 Bluetooth stereo – a feature that makes the car even more enjoyable in today’s world of constant connectivity.

_MG_2744.jpeg 4.31 MB

The Mechanics

The SAAB B202 1,980cc turbo unit is in good mechanical health and fires up straightaway, settling to a sweet and steady idle. 
It has been specialist maintained since its arrival in the UK and has covered just 59,600km, which equates to around 37,000 miles. 
It delivers its 175bhp through a three-speed Borg Warner T37 automatic transmission, which is a notoriously tough unit also used in a number of big V8-engined cars. In the SAAB, it’s a curiously brilliant combination that makes a tremendous amount of sense – the combination of the turbo engine's prodigious torque and on/off turbo boost works brilliantly well with the two-pedal transmission and is arguably better than in a manual model. 
The tiny mileage means it’s not surprising to find a car that’s crisp and tight underneath a mint exterior – 900s will easily run to 300,000 miles without major overhaul, so this one is barely run in. It feels like it’ll last forever…


The Appeal

Pre-GM SAAB 900s are rapidly appreciating in value, especially the very best examples which are being snapped up by collectors. 
And they don’t really come much better than this. It’s not concours, but it’s a genuinely lovely low mileage car that’s as usable as it is admirable. It’s a lovely car, and to make it a concours example really wouldn’t require much.
It’s also an extremely rare 900 – both a four-door Turbo saloon, which is in itself a scarcity, and an automatic; a combination that is so, so much better than you might imagine. Indeed, the vendor believes it may be the only 900 Turbo of its type in the UK. 
It has been mechanically overhauled, beautifully maintained and properly undersealed to ensure it will last into future generations, and it looks absolutely stunning. 


Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

See our Terms & Conditions here.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1993
  • Make Saab
  • Model 900 Turbo
  • Colour Grey
  • Odometer 37,000 Miles
  • Engine size 1980
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location London
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
30 bids
  • le•••• £13,000 20/08/21
  • jo•••• £12,750 20/08/21
  • le•••• £12,500 20/08/21
  • jo•••• £12,250 20/08/21
  • le•••• £12,000 20/08/21
  • jo•••• £11,750 20/08/21
  • le•••• £11,500 20/08/21
  • jo•••• £11,250 20/08/21
  • le•••• £11,000 20/08/21
  • MT•••• £10,750 20/08/21
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.