Highlights
- Fully rebuilt high pressure turbo engine delivering 185bhp
- Tidy and very usable Saab 900 Turbo S in desirable black
- Maintained by specialists NDS Engineering
- Drives as well as these turbocharged cars should
- Rare classic 900 produced to March 1993
- Recent hatchback and bonnet respray
- Solid in all the areas you want these cars to be
- Fitted with neat Carlsson options
- MOT to June 2025
The Appeal
Whether you’re here for the Swedish quirkiness, the impeccable engineering, the induction whoosh or you just like practical, usable classics, let's all take a moment to celebrate the 900. It properly broke ground, introduced a host of features now standard on all cars and was seriously quick to boot.
This car is all those things plus many more that will no doubt get enthusiasts salivating. It’s black for starters - perfect to match your polo neck top of course - and it is drizzled with some choice Carlsson features, such as the twin-pipe stainless exhaust, side vent covers and big whale tail. Look closely and you’ll find a ‘red box’ too - good for 10bhp over the standard car’s 175bhp.
The Saab Turbo S with high pressure turbo was the ultimate version of Saab’s 900 Turbo with the 16V B202 2L slant four, ‘Aero’ body kit and sports suspension.
The car has been in the hands of the current keeper for three years. He recommissioned the car after several years in storage, entrusting the work to Acton Saab specialist NDS Engineering. This also included replacing the rear hatch and respraying the bonnet. The car is said to run very well and to be solid in all the places you’ll want to check on these complex cars.
The mileage is ‘typically 900’ and should pose no surprises or concerns to enthusiasts, particularly as the motor has been fully rebuilt. Most of the mileage was incurred in the car’s first few years, its later life over the last two decades being relatively sedate. This is a very tidy 900 that could be used and enjoyed from the turn of the key. It comes to market with MOT to June 2025.
The vendor writes:
“I was delighted to find a rare black 900 16v turbo S in storage. It is Saab’s poster child. It has beautiful lines and is a very distinctive car. It is fun to drive. The experience starts with the signature low growl. The gearbox and clutch work smoothly. First gear has a Scandinavian slant and was designed to get the car going on ice before moving quickly into second. The fun really starts from third gear when the turbo builds up pressure and gives a surge in speed. The acceleration in the higher gears makes overtaking effortless, although the lag in the turbo requires a bit of anticipation. It is not just a fast car it feels and sounds fast. The road holding is excellent and takes motorway driving in its stride while keeping your attention. The visibility is far better than most modern cars due to the wrap-around windscreen and narrow pillars. Forget fiddling with a flat screen; the Saab has easy-to-find solid buttons. It is a very solid car with some serious steel in the bodywork and structure. There was the Jeremy Clarkson video when he failed to break a 900 by dropping it from a crane onto its roof. The clamshell bonnet provides easy access to the engine and other parts and looks great when it is raised. The seats are very comfortable and are an asset with a long drive. It is a classic car accessible to novice owners and long-term enthusiasts alike. It has a simple design that is incredibly durable and easy to work on. Most of all, it is a great-looking, classy classic car that attracts many admiring comments.
“It appears that the car has been kept in storage for a large part of that time (MOT records). As soon as the car came out of storage, it was given a thorough overhaul, followed by diligent maintenance that resulted in a classic Saab in excellent mechanical and structural condition. There isn’t rust in the typical worry spots (see photos). The hatchback was replaced and resprayed to remove the only rust found. The bonnet was re-sprayed after it was scratched.
“The car has been a fun and reliable daily drive over the last three years.”
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 11th January 1993
- 10 registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since February 2022
- Current keeper acquired the car after it had been in storage for some years
- Car has covered around 20,000 miles in last 20 years
- Summary of recent mileage detailed below
- Vendor had the car checked and overhauled on purchase by NDS Engineering of Acton
- Receipts confirm fastidious maintenance of the car by NDS Engineering
- This business is run by Saab Master Technician Nelson De Sousa
- Car is supplied with some history amassed over recent years
- MOT to 7th June 2025 with one minor advisory
- MOT test shows 212,572 miles and photographs show 214,880 miles
Record of recent mileage:
06/06/2024: 212,572 miles
07/06/2023: 210,463 miles
25/05/2022: 206,169 miles
08/06/2021: 202,349 miles
18/04/2016: 202,316 miles
11/03/2015: 202,242 miles
19/03/2014: 202,036 miles
06/04/2013: 201,651 miles
26/07/2002: 194,581 miles
06/11/1998: 138,669 miles
21/05/1998: 129,103 miles
07/05/1998: 128,201 miles
23/02/1998: 123,713 miles
14/11/1997: 120,000 miles
The Condition
- Smart black paintwork which is a popular choice for these cars
- Resprayed bonnet and rear hatch replaced and repainted since 2022
- Paintwork generally presents well with some aging to note in photos
- This includes stone chips to front of car
- Bodywork in good order with usual 900 check points presenting well
- These include arches, sills, bonnet rear edges and door bottoms
- Front and rear bumpers in good order with some light scuffs to note to corners
- Aero bodykit appears to be well fitted with no issues reported
- Fitted with Carlsson features such as side vents and whale tail
- Underside in good order with no structural advisories on last MOT
- We understand that the car has been regularly checked by a Saab specialist
- Lights in good order with vendor reporting that there are no lenses cracks
- Glass presents well with front screen showing no obvious misting to corners
- Fitted with sunroof with sun visor as shown showing light aging to edges
- Classic three-spoke alloys as fitted to later 900s in good general condition
- Centre caps show some light delamination but not unsightly
- Fitted with quality Pirelli Cinturato tyres showing good sidewall condition and remaining tread
- Grey leather interior with Alcantara inserts as fitted to later 900s
- Standard interior with some aging typical of these cars
- This includes cracks to base of front seats and some bolster wear
- Rear seats present well and appear little used
- The dashboard shows some cracks around vents as is typical of model
- Vendor reports that the cabin features function correctly including the sunroof which they also tell us does not leak
- Headlining, door trims and switchgear in good, original condition with light wear
- Fitted with air conditioning, cruise control and later Sony stereo
- Space saver factory spare wheel and factory tool kit which is partly complete
- Grey carpets which appear original and show some staining to driver’s and other areas
The Mechanics
- Fully rebuilt 1,985cc slant four turbocharged Saab 16V engine
- Badging indicates that this is the Turbo S model with revised sports suspension
- Fitted with ABS and catalytic converter
- 5spd manual gearbox which we understand operates correctly with no issues
- Fitted with Carlsson ‘red box’ ECU which provides 185bhp rather than 175bhp of the standard car
- Fitted with Carlsson stainless steel exhaust with twin exit pipes as shown
- No reported running or driving issues
- Minor advisory to note on the current MOT
- Maintained by a Saab Master Technician since 2022
BEFORE YOU BUY
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