Saab 900T 16S Turbo Auto Convertible

The Swedish-built Saab 900 was produced from 1978 until 1998 in two distinct generations – the ‘Classic’ from 1978 to 1993 and the ‘new generation’ from 1994 to 1998.

The first generation was based on the classic Saab 99 chassis while the second was a totally different GM product based on the humble Vauxhall Vectra chassis – a distinction that is extremely important to Saab enthusiasts. Available in two- and four-door saloon versions and three- and five-door hatchback versions, from 1986 a convertible model was also available.

Power came from a range of mainly 2-litre engines, longitudinally mounted and set at a 45-degree angle with power delivered ‘backwards’ from the crank at the front of the car – most unusual, especially for a front-wheel drive car. The gearbox was bolted directly to the bottom of the engine with its own separate oil supply – again most unusual.

The suspension was also very quirky for a front-drive car with double-wishbones at the front and a beam-axle at the rear with a Panhard rod and effectively two Watts linkages. The result was an extremely safe and stable platform with excellent road manners for the more sporting driver.

As befits a fighter plane manufacturer, innovations continued inside the cockpit with fabulously supportive aircraft-style seats and a curved front-lit dash that placed all controls and gauges according to their frequency of use or importance. Beautifully engineered throughout, a 1989 Saab 900 Classic famously clocked up one million miles on its original engine before being donated to a museum in return for a brand new Saab 9-5 Aero.

This 1991 example was sold through Reading Saab, its first owner specifying the 'full fat' version – the 16V S Turbo with an automatic gearbox. Its first 132,000 miles were looked after by Saab main dealers, following which maintenance was carried by Saab specialists, mainly Hansa Engineering in Cheltenham, the book showing 17 services in total. The odometer now shows 171,000 miles, the large history file indicating that £1,700 was spent on maintenance in 2011 and a further £900 in 2012. 

Fitted with 4 good quality matching tyres, it has recently been fitted with a new hood which functions perfectly and comes with its correct hood cover and cover bag. Both sets of keys are present and the vendor describes it as driving very well. MOT’d until April 2014, this smart looking car still turns heads, its powerful engine and innovative engineering making it a pleasure to drive and to own.