More detail on that “special” Saab 900 SPG from the TurboX drive
At the risk of complete over exposure of this car on Trollhattansaab (there are posts here, here, here and here), I’ve got a few photos of my own to contribute to the ever-growing pile.
Folks, it’s that good. It’s perfect, perhaps even more perfect than any Saab ever was driving off the assembly line in Trollhattan. I’ll put it this way: if I had the US$42,000 for a new 2008 TurboX, and GM were to offer this 1985 Saab 900 SPG for the same amount, I may choose the 900. In fact, I’d probably choose the 900.
As someone noted while in the seat, “It even smells like a new Saab should smell.” Indeed.
Black is beautiful.
Look at the engine bay. Nary a speck of dust on anything.
*sniff* I’m… I’m not really crying…there’s just something in my eye. Really. *choke*
Here’s the money shot for all of us C900 owners. For such a pristine dash, carpet free of wear and absolutely perfect leather, I may be talked out of a kidney.
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They even managed to find a set of the optional tweeter dash speakers for it! Bastards.
DB
Your kidney? Heck I´d give away my tongue.. I´d be speechless anyway.
Drew: LOL! Bastards, indeed. They would NOT let anyone even touch the keys. Had they, I would have been out of there like a rocket and wouldn’t have looked back!
Tompa: We all have our boundaries, if you’re good with the tongue, go for it!
Drew B,
PIcked any faults with it yet?
a.
Alaero: this is being a little nit-picking, but none of my C900s (1986 16-valve NA, 1993 Turbo, 1988 Turbo ‘vert) have ever had the exhaust manifold finished in black as it is on this car. All have been gray/silver. Of course, now the 1988 is finished in a nice rusty color. I don’t know if that’s just my experience, but it’s different than I know.
Eggs.. You are completly right. The exhaust manifold has always been sandblasted and not treated in anyway. As far as I can remember.
I’ve spotted another error….this car isn’t in my driveway. I better call and let them know they need to fix that.
They didn’t let you drive that 1985 900 SPG? That’s a shame but now I feel special..
It was a nice car to drive but it felt like an old car. Which it is compared to my 9-5 Aero or Turbo X. I need to get a 900 myself someday because I wasn’t hooked after that short drive.
The clutch was pretty heavy and a bit difficult to work smoothly. But then again, I was too scared to break something.
Eggs: This is in fact, a very proper Saab. In every way. Thanks for covering it so well.
Now that is purists Saab.
Its the holy Troll grail - and I want it.
lurve the tan interior with black dash. Sooo Smart Saab.
Potrzebuję Cię! C900..Jesteś tak piękna
I believe some of the polish dudes will understand that..
Dan: I’m on top of that request. Steve Shannon’s on speed dial….
Lance: Lurve. Must be a UK thing.
Tompa: The rest of us are in the dark, however.
Eggs
Lurve- stems from Barry White - “lurve”.
No worries. next time I’ll just love that 900 C
Looks like you had a great time Eggs.
Lance: GM really are gracious hosts. I do not take that for granted in any way. It truly was a ton of fun, and I feel very lucky to have been invited.
I really want to hang-out with the person at CAS (Custom Automotive Specialties, the company who restores cars for GM’s Heritage Collection) to learn the tricks of the trade to finding all the N.O.S. (new old stock) parts they apparently fit to these cars (does someone ransack that big sale in Trollhattan during the Saab Festival?).
I am currently looking for the rear bumper cover and decor strip (only used on 900s from ‘83 to ‘86) for my own ‘85 900T but learned that this SPG got the last one from the vendor they bought it from. Also, the wiring loom on the ‘85 through ‘87 900 is notorious for the insulation crumbling-off and wires shorting. They must have either located a N.O.S. one somewhere (which would be amazing as I think the ‘85 loom was unique to that year) or built their own from scratch.
Lastly, I’d LOVE to know how much it cost them to restore that car. Material costs alone must have been really substantial, let alone the labor costs. What is the true value of this car when you put together the sum of its pieces?
Gripen: Long time no see!!! Good to have you back.
I’ve wondered the same things. It’s lots and lots of money. They spare no expense. This thing has every detail, right down to the little tags that are sewn into the headrests and a working Clarion head unit. Amazing.
Translation from the polish phrases..
I need you! (Potrzebuję Cię)
C900.. You are so beautiful..(Jesteś tak piękna)
Do widzenia
Your so right, eggs. What a beautiful car that was. Just gorgeous.
Tompa ja cie rozumie ,,by the way …..this is a heck of a car…………i love those 900,the most beautiful cars on the road,whenever i see one on the street i always hit the pole lamp post with my head………….take care guys