Saabs, we all know, are safe, practical vehicles, right? After all, we want our hatch for the utility, safety because it’s safe and environmental friendliness because it’s right. All fine and good.
But, apparently, there are a few Saab owners that disagree with us. A lot.
Take John Fiorini for example. By day, he’s a mild-mannered Saab repair shop owner. Taking pride in his work on a quality automobile. But, when the weekend comes….
When the weekend rolls around, John likes to roll out his 1993 Saab 900 Funny Car and race on the alcohol dragster circuit.
Really.
John’s C900 dragster runs the quarter mile (about 400 meters) in 6.4 seconds at 215 mph (about 345 kph). How’s that for low-end performance! Woo Hoo!!
Yes, John’s Saab is fast. However, the fastest Saab belongs to a Swede. Leif Helander lives in Northern Sweden. His Starkotter Racing Saab 9-3 funny car runs the quarter mile in 5.85 seconds at a maximum speed of 285 mph (about 450 kph)!!
Starkotter does 0-60 mph (100 kph) in less than one second. Scorching!!
I don’t know a lot about drag racing, but if I’m going to do it, it’ll be in a Saab!
Good show, guys!
John’s C900 still has headlight wipers. Respect!
Haha, I didn’t notice the headlight wipers, that’s awesome.
And these cars are totally rad to the max. I’ve always wanted a Saab with a giant supercharger (or whatever those things are) sticking out of the hood.
It’s always good to see a SAAB in action. However … is it still a SAAB when the engine isn’t made by SAAB?
I was more impressed with this video of an 8 valve C900 tuned to 338 hp.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7570206935258612439&total=38&start=30&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
The video shows it beating a 60′s Camaro at a drag strip at something like 180 mph. He does the 1/4 mile in 13.34 seconds! That’s incredible.
Ha, about as far removed from a SAAB as you can get.
A Chrysler V8 (hemi) worked to the crappers. By the way, thats an induction unit for a bloody big carb poking through the bonnet.
I know that this is a non fun question, but aren’t all dragsters rear wheel drive? How do you get a SAAB to do that?
…looks like the supercharger is the only swedish part.
Ironic when you consider where the turbocharger unit in the 9-3 comes from.
I’m trying to imagine how a 0-60 time of less than a second feels like. I can’t.