My idea for GM Europe and the Saab 900
Let’s get one thing straight up front. This website wouldn’t exist without the Saab 900.
There were a lot of great things Saab did over the early years. The unique design of Sixten Sason’s cars, the aircraft links. Safety before it seemed important. And then there’s the whole rally thing. But the car that really embodied everything that Saab came to stand for, the car that piqued everyone’s interest and is still a point of both reference and reverence today is the Saab 900.
A few people mentioned it in the poll and the poll results articles here, and I’ve mentioned it several times in the last few years - Saab could do much worse than releasing a modern interpretation of the Saab 900. BMW have done it with the Mini and various brands are doing it with their historical hero cars. You take a modern platform and modern technology and combine them with the design and ethos of a great car from the past. If the Saab 900 was the subject of such an exercise I’m sure it would attract a lot of past Saab customers - and it would be one heck of a great car.
But a 2015 Saab 900 is not the point of this post.
The point of this post is a simple exercise that would cost peanuts and would capture the spirit of Saab in the offices of GM Europe. The officers in those offices basically hold the future of Saab in their hands. Saab is owned by General Motors in Detroit, but when it comes to Saab, they listen in large part to the advice provided by the people from GM Europe. We should all feel fortunate the Carl-Peter Forster’s in charge there and he’s a Saab fan. I’d be writing an Alfa blog if he weren’t and you’d all quite likely be looking for your next VW, Nissan or Subaru.
CPF’s a fan, but what about the bean-counters who work for him? We all know what Saab has represented in the past, what it could be again. Do they?
My simple idea involves a fleet of Saab 900s. Restore them all to good working order and have them in a car pool for GME employees to drive. Let them see exactly how far ahead the Saab 900 was in its day. Let them see exactly how well it drives. Let them see how good it is even by today’s standards (and yes, it’s still good).
All those commenters saying how the car they miss the most is their 900 aren’t sentimental fools. The car is actually quite outstanding, even today. This idea may seem incredibly simple and perhaps even a little quaint. But the 900 is a car that endears itself to the driver. It’s not just a funny looking design with an upright seat. It’s got a real personality to it and spending a week or two in one is a life-changing experience for anyone with an appreciation for cars and car design.
And that’s the allure behind the idea of a modern Saab 900. Drive an original 900 for a period of time and you’ll experience all that a modern Saab should be.
The design is visually beautiful. Few cars have ever had a more disctinctive and identifiable profile. The car was incredibly practical and is noted for carrying all sorts of rediculously large loads. The interior has ergonomics that once experienced, will leave you wondering why they’ve ever changed.
Most of all, though, it’s a brilliant drive. The car leans a little in the bends but it ends up exactly where you pointed it. It’s got a great driver’s feel, from the grippy steering wheel to the best seats of their generation, to the great engine and exhaust note. All combine to deliver a great driver’s experience. Put all the qualities of the Saab 900 together and you could quite literally drive it to theater on Friday night, bring furtniture home in the back on Saturday and take the whole family for a picnic on Sunday. It’s at home in all three scenarios - even in 2008.
This is quite simply a car whose spirit, design and ethos should never have died.
GM Europe probably won’t entertain my simple idea. They’ll probably find it amusing. Thankfully, there’s a number of people involved with Saab who still maintain 900s in their private garages. I’ve met a few of them personally and I know they love their 900s, even if they don’t get to drive them that often. I just think it’d be a great idea if a few of the decision makers got the same experience that many of us have had.
Maybe it’d be good if you got the same experience as well. 900s are getting older and cheaper. If you’re in the market for a weekend car or a hobby car, then put a post-1985 Saab 900 16v on your list. If you’re happy with less performance and like a funkier interior, then go for the earliest 900 you can find (more on interiors coming soon).
Saab are building an emphasis on their turbocharging history. The 900 didn’t start Saab’s relationship with turbos, but it was the car that brought that relationship into the limelight. The 900 wasn’t just about the turbo, and I’ll try and bring you as much about the car as I can in the coming week.
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Swade, I understand what you mean about the “spirit” of the 900. I recently purchased a car that has the spirit and some of the heritage of the 900. Except it is a Chevrolet! Before you jump off a bridge let me explain. I purchased a 2008 HHR SS. This car is essentially a wagon, although for EPA pruposes it is classified as a truck. It is built on the Delta platform that underpins the Astra, Cobalt etc. The reason I say it has the spirit of a 900 is for 3 reasons. Performance, my car runs a 2.0 direct injected turbo putting out 260 HP and 260 lbs/ft or torque. This car runs 0-60 in under 6.5 secs and lapped the Nurburgring’s North loop in under 9 minutes. The car is a balst to drive and also runs the SAAB 9-5’s 5 speed manual. My car also has a limited slip diff and Brembo caliper package. The second reason is space and versatility. Being a hatchback, the back seats fold completely flat and the front passenger seat also folds flat. I brought home a sofa the other day in it. For a relatively small package the car is tremendously roomy, sound familiar? The third reason is design. Design is obviously the most subjective part but I personally love Hot Rods. I love the individuality of the design, in a world of look alike cars it stands apart. I also love the chopped and channeled look. Yes it does hinder outward visibility but that’s okay with me. The car has large side mirrors that eliminate most of the blind spots. I’m sure I’ll get much disagreement from the regular posters about my HHR, but clearly SAAB has had a positive impact on GM.
Frank, wouldn’t the HHR be more of a copy of the PT Cruiser than anything else?
Perhaps, although they are both designed by the same person the HHR is more of a homage to the ‘49-’50 Chevy Suburban. The only thing they have in common is a retro design theme. They really look nothing alike. The PT is slightly smaller and nowhere near the driver the HHR SS is. Even the PT Turbo was not a very good driving car.
Nissan took a slightly different spin on the “restoring/experiencing the original” in the late ’90s before the current 350z came out. They got a bunch of 240z’s and restored and sold them through select dealerships. Although they didn’t really sell that well (they only did 40 of the originally planned 200), I remember it as a nice idea that kept original “spirit” of the z in the public mind (cheap, stylish, good performing sports car) after subsequent generations of the series had become bloated and expensive.
As far as drivable, restored 900’s would go, I think the ga-ga reaction everyone is having over the heritage 900 speaks for itself as to the strength of the car as an icon. As an inspiration for future designs I think they would be invaluable.
Also, as a side note, when you do talk about the early 900 interiors, please make mention of the dashboard window switches. My ‘83 had them and I miss them dearly.
To me the modern interpretation of the 900 is the current 9-3 wagon.
Yes, maybe in 1974 the 900 was ahead of its time. Not that much though.
Biggest similarity: both suffer from rattles and squeeks.
Seriously, what you want is to put the same spirit from then into the cars from now.
To achieve that, you first have to send away all non-Swedish engineers.
Then you send away all those who know about cars and the way to build them.
The ones left over can start from fresh, just like 60 years ago.
You know: fresh thinking for better cars!
Alexandre, I’ve got you covered on the window switches
They’re one of my favourites, too, though I also love the center console positioning and if I had a choice, that’s probably what I’d bring back.
I too miss the center console window switches. When recently driving a 2005 Volvo S60 R, I still reached for the window switches in the middle. (Of course, the XJ-S has them there too…)
I agree Swade. The Delta II platform that’ll be used for the next 9-3 would make a pretty good basis for new C900 style car. Transverse engines would likely make a somewhat shorter nose for such a car. so it may also resemble the shorter nosed 99 to some extent. Perhaps a nose length between the two would be good? There definitely should be a clamshell bonnet and it would be nice if it could open in the traditional way!
Recently someone commented that Saab should return to it’s old naming system 90/900/9000.
The idea that a 9-3 was a BMW 3 series competitor and the 9-5 was 5 series competitor was good at the time, but it’s never really worked out too well and anyway Saab has always been good at making alternative cars, when it tries to make a straight competitor it usually fails quite badly. Something GM hopefully has learned by now?
Anyhow, a new C900 style car should come in: 3 and 5 door hatches (definitely), 4 door sedan, convertible (defintely), 2 door pillarless coupe instead of the old C900 2 door sedan (would be nice) and a wagon. Crossover versions of the hatches and the wagon would be great too.
There are only two cars I can think of that have an instantly recognizable silhouette to the masses… the VW Beetle and the Saab 900.
I’m not good with my car history, but I remember reading that VW was ready to pull the plug on the U.S. market around the mid 90’s. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it because of the revival of the Beetle that things really turned around for VW in the U.S.
I think if done correctly, a modern revival of the Saab 900 would have similar success and would most certainly bring previous Saab owners back into the fold. The only problem I envision is improving on the original design of the 900… the car is too damn beautiful as is! What designer would want the daunting task of designing a modern interpretation?
With respect to the beauty of the 900 design… I recently took my 9-5 to the indy for some scheduled maintenance. The most pristine SPG rolled in behind me and it really struck me at that moment how exceptionally unique and beautiful the design of the 900 is. Way ahead of it’s time.
i love this idea. i think it would be a great shot in the arm to the design team. if anything, bring back the cool air through the center vents when the heater is on! why that feature ever went away is beyond me… oh and rear seats that fold FLAT.
Great tribute to the classic 900, Swade!
Now do one for the 9000
kn: I think a modern interpretation of the C900 is possible. BMW did quite a good update of the Alec Issigonis mini design. I’m sure Saab could so something similar with the classic 900. They could even get Björn Envall to supervise the design. That would certainly make sure the car looked the way it should do.
Not every C900 owner is an old timer…. I’m 21 and I CHOSE to buy this car. It wasn’t given to me by my parents or retired doctor uncle. about a year ago I was in the market for a new car and was looking at E30 BMW’s when I stumbled upon a C900. I researched it out a little and despite the complaints about expensive parts and lack of competant mechanics I fell in love with the car and brought it home. My parents told me I was crazy but it grew on them and now they love the car as much as I do. I agree though, that it would be much better as a hobby car or weekend crusier. The car is a little old and since I use it as my daily driver I’m a little more then annoyed when it chooses to suprise me. All said and done though, I’m never going to part with the old girl. Did I mention it’s a non turbo, non leather, no sunroof, no power windows car? Once I finish up school I’m going to be hunting for an SPG.
Well good for you, Aznsaab. You have the fever. If you’d got an SPG now, you’d be hysterical by now
This guy probably spent only five minutes photoshopping but me think it has some potential! (scroll down when page opens)
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/finally-new-saabs-but-have-customers-grown-tired-waiting-65436/index4.html