1986 Saab 900 SPG
This is the big one, the big Kahuna, the lustiest of my Car Lusts. One year and nearly 300 posts into this blog, we've finally reached my favorite car. I've made a point of only writing about cars that genuinely inspire my passion, and in the process I've repeatedly bared my various automotive psychoses. Well, this car cuts right to the quick of everything I am. It is an inseparable part of my very soul.
Yes, it's a Saab 900--best-known for its center console-mounted ignition key switch, and slightly lesser-known for its quirky unreliability. To unbiased observers, the Saab 900 has a weak chin and a truly curious hunchback profile that looks oddly lumpen and mollusk-like. Like a stranger Renault Fuego, if that's possible. Sure, Saabs of this era were known for their durability and winter traction, but what makes them even remotely lust-worthy?
Well, I'll take a stab at explaining it rationally. For one thing, Saab's performance heritage exceeds both its early quirky Swede reputation as well as its later faux-yuppie car image. The Saab Sonnett was an interesting little sports coupe, the Saab 99 was a genuine force in the rally world, and in the early 1980s Saab was as much a leader in turbocharging and intercooling as Porsche and Buick.
The Saab 900 was a practical little car, with front-wheel drive, comfortable seats, plenty of headroom, and a yawning cargo area hiding under its hatchback. With the addition of some forced-induction Vitamin H, advanced boost control, double-wishbone suspension, and a 16-valve head, the Saab 900 Turbo was one of the under-the-radar performance stars of the 1980s. By today's standards it wasn't particularly quick, but with 0-60 times in the high 7/low 8-second range and the ability to cruise at more than 130 mph for hours at a time, the 900 was a unique combination of utility and speed. Automotive journalists loved it; AutoWeek's Satch Carlson was a Saab Turbo devotee, and I believe Car & Driver's Steve Smith owned a sinister monochromatic black Turbo.
The Special Performance Group (SPG) option added an aerodynamic body kit, special wheels, sport suspension, and interior upgrades. The aero kit and special wheels look pretty dated to today's eyes, but at the time ... oh, the effect was electric. Back in 1986, remember, American cars were chrome-heavy and sat high on their haunches; the hunkered-down monochromatic aero kit look was brand new, pioneered by AMG on the Hammer, and was refreshingly purposeful. The Saab 900 SPG was one of the trend-setters; unfortunately after the look was applied haphazardly to every horrible car around, it has become laughable cliche. But it wasn't always so.
The SPG option debuted in 1986, and 1986 SPGs were available only in Edwardian Gray. The following year the entire 900 line received a freshened nose with a aero headlamps, meaning SPG fans like me who prefer the older look have only one model year with a limited production run to find. It's not that I don't like other Saab 900 Turbos--I lust after them nearly as fervently--but it's the Edwardian Gray 900 SPG that really fires the imagination.
None of the rational stuff matters with this car. At the end of the day, what really matters to me is the fact that while other Car Lusts get my blood running hot, the 900 SPG gets my blood boiling to a degree I can't describe without falling afoul of Amazon.com's decency standards. This car is my sickness. I wanted one when I was 10 years old. I've wanted one every day since then. I'll want one when I'm 80 years old. On some level, I wanted one when neither the Saab 900 nor I had yet been conceived.
So, why don't I own one? Well, I've come close several times to buying non-SPG Turbos, but the cars in my price range were invariably way too cobby to be useful. Finding the right car is tricky; until recently these weren't really considered collector cars, so late model 900 Turbos are often knackered, abused, have upwards of 200K miles on the clock. Specifically regarding 1986 SPGs, as my budget slowly increases, values of these cars have been rising even more quickly. I am convinced that when the time is right, I'll find my '86 SPG and keep it forever.
I would normally mock the two commercials below (aviator sunglasses! purposeful shifting!), but they really sum up how I feel about these cars. Notice how the second ad even uses the word "lust?" I'm the guy washing the boring car, but steamily staring at the passing 900 Turbo. Neither of these commercials features the '86 900 SPG specifically, but ... close enough.
The lovely '86 Saab 900 SPG pictured above belongs to a gentleman named Gordon, who discusses his car's restoration here. Gordon, I envy you.
--Chris H.
nak on September 17, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Old Saab 900 turbos are bad ass, relatively inexpensive and can be great deals if they have not been beat on. I just picked picked my 6th classic saab turbo a 1986 spg with 117,000 some old man traded it in at the local toyota dealer last week. http://www.markmiller.com/used_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=280940714046381e0090ed813bd4cdbc
So sack up and buy one mine was less than $2000
ac.3000 on September 26, 2008 at 02:38 AM
Love it! Steep liftback, curved windshield, 3-spoke rims and proper seamles hood top! Everyhing I like! Incidentally, it is now September 2008 and I have yet to see a single one of these with a spot of rust on anything other than un-fixed scratches or collision damage. I think they were way ahead of the pack in terms of corosion resistance.
85 900 turbo spg on October 31, 2008 at 08:23 PM
major clerical 86' was not the first SPG 85' was, and only offered in black with tan leather
Franklyn Sigler on November 11, 2008 at 11:27 AM
My best friends Dad had a (the only) red 1989 900 SPG. I went for a ride in this car and it BLEW MY MIND. I have never gone so fast... within city limits. This car changed my perception of speed and unique elegance. I now drive a Subaru Legacy. Another unique, elegant four cylinder turbo.
AM on November 11, 2008 at 12:42 PM
For us who live in Sweden, SAABs, old and new, are everyday stuff. It's hard to find people who has no SAAB experiences at all (same thing with Volvos), those would among our one million foreigners.
Most of us here know a thing or two about SAAB but I'm guessing many of you in the rest of the world don't. Here's a few facts:
The first commercial features a SAAB 37 Viggen (the airplane). Viggen can mean "thunderbolt" but is also a form of duck. When it was launched in the 70's it was one of the most advanced airplanes in the world. (Engine made by Volvo)
SAAB is short for "Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget" which translates as "The Swedish Airplane Corporation". Making cars is actually a newer business. A successful venture indeed.
SaabRaab on November 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I share the SPG lust. I've owned a 99EMS, '85 900, '89 900T, '02 9-5 Wagon and presently a '94 Comm Edition convertible. I went back to the classic 900 3 years ago. Just couldn't stay away. The convertible is a such a hidden gem for the Saab lover. It gives you all the great characteristics of the c900 but then you drop the top it gets better. A few small mods and you have a great handling safe car that seats 4 adults. So affordable, do yourself a favor and go drive one.
Jason on December 02, 2008 at 11:02 AM
There was a time when I thought the Saab 99/900 were ugly looking cars. They looked more attractive from the front and side of the car than they did from the tail of the car. These days, however I look at an early Saab and I can't help but enjoy the styling from all angles. Nice car.
85SPG on December 28, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Chris they made the SPG in 1985 as well. They are black with tan interiors. I own a 1985 SPG and I love it. I could write at length why I enjoy it but you will really have to decide for yourself. Finding one in decent condition may be hard, and rust can be an issue now, but find one, they are out there. They are quirky and they do develop problems but I have found these cars to be enjoyable to work on. If you don't work on cars find a good independent Saab mechanic as a regular mechanic will get frustrated with its unique engineering. As a side note, almost all 85 SPGs have wiring harness issues (wire insulation comes off).
Todd Allen on January 05, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Chris,
I share your lust for these cars.
I would differ on one of your points--1985 was the first year of the SPG run, not 1986. There were a few test models made in 1984--largely for private demonstration--but the Fall of 1985 saw the first ones offered for public sale. They were available only in black, with a tan leather interior. The Euro spec SPG's had black areo panels, the US spec ones had grey ones.
How do I know this? Because I own perhaps the very first one offered for public sale, the car being purchased in November 1984 in Stockholm, modified to meet California standards, and shipped to Northern California for the first 20 years of its life. I bought it from the original owner family in 2004 and it remains a unique, largely pristine example--never driven in the snow--now, with 204,000 miles on it.
Happy to send you pics is your curiousity is aroused. My e-mail: revtoddallen@aol.com
Happy Saabing,
Todd Allen
Minneapolis, MN
shawn on January 07, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Hardly unreliable. Bad reputation from a misunderstood car dealer. I've been servicing these for decades and the cam drive Saab 4 cyl are beyond bullet proof.
John on January 10, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Your admiration of the SPG is well founded. I purchased a 1990 Talladega Red SPG several years ago from the original owner who maintained it with synthetic oils since birth. The car flat-out flies and is terrific in the snow. It easily surpasses 130 mph, even with 194,000 miles on it, and manages approximately 28 mpg in all-round driving. This with the turbo needle bouncing back and forth in the red every minute or so. Despite my love, I beat this car mercilessly.
The heated leather seats are soft, supple and not a tear or crack to be found. Sun roof is still functional with the only downside being a sagging headliner (typical of all classic 900s).
I purchase the car for the ridiculously low price of $2,500.00, and to the seller's credit, he honored our agreed upon purchase price even though he was swamped by offers all over the country offering twice that price.
While I have somewhat improved my bevy of cars (added a 1998 Lexus GS 400 and just picked up a 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera C2), the SPG still brings "smiles for miles", and this Beauty still has about another 200,000 to 300,000 miles left in her.
Blowing by modern day sports cars with this 19 year old Super Swede never gets old.
michael j on June 01, 2009 at 01:21 AM
saab 900. I have one now.
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it's the convertible model.
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nice article on the hardtop model there.
me, what car is really me. Jeep Wrangler. toyota van /previa.
sportscars category: mitsubishi 3000 gt or supra.
basically thats it. then I want a truck for the purposes of a truck camper install on it.
well, as for my saab 900, I am loving it, its gonna be a great car to own. hopefully
permenently as you have said. I wanna keep it.
Fred the Fourth on June 12, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Oh, man. The only new-off-the-lot car I've ever bought was a 1986 platinum blue 900 turbo hatchback. I *loved* driving that car into the high Sierra. I used to get from the SF midpeninsula to Truckee in 3 hours and mumble minutes and then idle the turbo down for several minutes just to make sure, and let my heartrate drop. Ended up putting 245000 miles on the clock, on one engine and just two turbos.
And don't get me started on the cargo capacity of that hatchback puppy. OMG. I loved it when the machine-shop guy said "bring your truck 'round back and I'll use the forklift to load this huge crate" and then the look in his eyes when I showed up in Blue and popped the hatch. When the crate slid right in and the hatch CLOSED over it, I could have sold him Blue at full new retail right then and there.
Blue finally died when the right front suspension shattered. Sigh...
davis,br on June 13, 2009 at 02:43 AM
I hate to be a downer here. I had a 900 turbo. A black one. Sold it to my cousin after several months (he wrecked it, and bought another ...and someone rear ended him, and that was it for the Saabs in the family).
I did not like that car. As I recall it, too heavy steering in the front end. Way too heavy. Unpleasantly so.
But the bigger complaint was the visibility. I always felt like I was driving in a tank of some sort, looking out through a tiny slit for the front window. As bad as the front view was, the rear quarters (both) were worse.
I always felt like I was driving through a tunnel.
So ...sorry. But the reality of driving one was not one of my happier experiences. (But I gotta agree that it looked great. Parked.)
CW on August 20, 2009 at 06:18 PM
I bought my first SAAB used in 1989. It was 6 years old at the time but it looked brand new. Sold to me by Mid-Ohio Auto Group (MAG) in Columbus, OH. It was one of only three 900 Turbos (8V) with the tan cloth interior that were sold new by that dealer (1983). Sadly, about a month after it was completely paid off, I got caught in a flash flood and it never ran right after that. The insurance company totaled it and I received a check. The hardest thing I ever had to deal with back then was watching the wrecker tow her away. I actually cried. Her body was in such fine condition but it was the inside that had deteriorated beyond repair.
Saabs hold a special place in our hearts because they are so unique. For me, it was the fact that it was more like an airplane on wheels than just another car. And there was no denying that turbo boost at highway speeds. Remarkable acceleration for such a small engine.
I am happy to report that after all of these years being SAAB-less, I was lucky enough to purchase a 1988 SiS model. I had not heard about this model until I did a little research on the Internet. They are pretty rare. I love the convertible top and leather interior. Plus the engine and 5-speed gearbox are rock solid.
My old '83 900T was a real joy to drive but this newer 900T with the 16 valve engine and 3 inch exhaust make this car act like a freak...but she wasn't always like that.
Her previous owners neglected to service or repair her. So when I got her, she barely ran and her top was in really bad shape. After investing a few thousand dollars in her (on top of the original $2000 selling price), she is back in excellent condition. If you could imagine all of the stuff that normally breaks on these cars, well, that's what was broken on her. It was a lot of nit-picky stuff, such as the headlight switch that would keep rotating after you turn the lights on or off, the speedometer needle that would bounce around because the plastic speedometer gears were stripped, etc. But then there were some real whoppers, such as new belts, hoses, bushings, ball joints, convertible top & both actuators...grr!
I have to admit that spending the time and money to fix her was one of those rare times in my life when I reacted with emotion rather than logic. Even as I was test driving this car, I thought, "Wow, this is a real P.O.S. Nothing works!" If this was any other car, I would have just walked away, never even giving a second thought about my decision and maybe even be a bit irate at the seller for hyping such a pile of crap. But I didn't mind. Her body was still in great shape and it was a SAAB 900 Turbo. I was finally behind the wheel of my first love, back together after almost 20 years. I had finally done something that not many people get to do in life--to recapture a little slice of my youth.
She now sits proudly and in excellent condition in my garage. I only take her out on special occasions. The 115,000 miles on her clock are evidence of that. It's funny because I bought her so that I wouldn't put so many miles on my Corvette (C5). Then she ends up becoming my garage queen and the Corvette is the daily driver.
Must be SAAB fever. Go figure.
J on September 23, 2009 at 05:23 AM
Although I've never owned one (yet) my experience with the Saab 900 turbo was certainly an interesting one. I worked with a guy who drove an 83 Saab 900 turbo, all black, aftermarket mag wheels, and it had the louvered back window hatch. Striking car that had presence, whether you liked it or thought it was ugly it still caught your attention. I specifically liked the exhaust note, which was derived mostly from a rusted through stock muffler, but somehow sounded superior to any bolt on chrome tipped Honda infesting the streets. The funny thing was we did construction and this guy used this car like most people used trucks. I couldn't believe how much stuff he crammed in the back. Ladder, compressor, tools, hoses, nail gun, boxes of nails, paint etc. the list goes on! I drove it a few times, I was surprised how quick it was and how well it handled even with the boost turned way down and loaded up with all that extra weight. Getting up to highway speeds in no time, before you know it you're doing 80. Taking round-a-bout off ramps from the highway at 70+ mph was right at home for this thing. Again not something I expected from this car. These things alone were a testament for me on the surprising performance of this seemingly average car. Sure, you can make any compact squirt pretty good with inexpensive mods, but try it with a few hundred pounds of excess weight in the back and then see how it performs. Not gunna happen. So needless to say I was impressed, and I have yet to see it's full potential. To this day it is one of the most fun cars I've had the pleasure to drive. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.
P.S. For all you who are disappointed because you can't buy a brand new non GM Saab... well here's an idea: how about buying an older one? It's okay, you can buy a USED car, people won't laugh at you, well not everyone.
britton on October 22, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Have a '84 900 Turbo that I was given by my father in '85. I put 176,000 miles on it and still have it to this day although I don't drive it anymore. I never got rid of it because it was not worth getting rid of.
liz macdonald on October 22, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Here's a nice modified 1986 SPG will be going on the classifieds over the next few days. Nicely restored and good-looking!
liz macdonald on October 22, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Here's a nice modified 1986 SPG will be going on the classifieds over the next few days. Nicely restored and good-looking!
See pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/eliz.macdonald/DadSSaab?feat=directlink and call Bill at 509-522-5428 for technical details.
Thanks!
Brad on October 23, 2009 at 03:01 AM
I once owned an '86 900 SPG from '99 to '05. It was an awesome machine in so many ways - fast, fun, comfortable, quirky, and able to carry amazing amounts of gear. I bought it from a Saab mechanic - it was his personal car - although about 2 weeks after I bought it the clutch went, and then it blew a piston. The mechanic then totally rebuilt the engine for me at cost so I ended up with a great deal. Not much trouble after that.
I ended up trading it in on a 2000 9-3 4-door SE as a family car, but its not the same. I always get the feeling with this 9-3 GM-Saab hybrid that its much more a GM than a Saab. I still have fond memories of my 86 900 SPG. Perhaps a Viggen is more Saab than GM and as a second car will satisfy my inner being.
I'm looking forward to more quirkiness as Saab rises from the ashes of GM...
Saab 900 on December 08, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Nice post about the Saab 900 car, I will put a link to it on my Saab 900 website. Cheers!
Kyle Girardi on February 27, 2010 at 09:42 AM
hey chris i have a nice 86 edwardian grey spg for sale actually, it needs a little work but not much at all, ill hook you up cheap =P
ben on April 01, 2010 at 01:32 PM
you definatley dont know anything about the saab 900 turbo spg. because it is a very reliable car. i had one for 24 years and it stell runs perfectly fine at speeds over 120 mph.
Chris Hafner on April 01, 2010 at 01:36 PM
Just like a Honda Accord, right Ben? Both in terms of amount and expense of maintenance/upkeep/repairs? I said the Saab is *durable* and that's what you're illustrating with your comment.
Besides, it was one line in a paean to the SPG - I obviously don't like the car at all.
James on October 06, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Hey, if you're looking for an SPG...
I've got an Edwardian Grey '88 SPG for sale. It needs a transmission (cluster bearing went) but the rest of the car is flawless. New everything. clearcoat on roof is peeling, small dent in the driver's side rear fender from a retard in a Lexus backing into it. It's located in NC and I'm looking for $1500 without trans.