Posts Tagged ‘saab’

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Rare Swede – 1980 Saab 900 5-door

March 25, 2010

Once in a while, I try to torture my friends by selling them links to cars they like, but can’t buy, for lack of space, time, or whatever. This is one of those cars – my friend Chris had one of these, so whenever I find one, I pass it along. While Saab 900s of the original generation are still fairly common (unlike the 99s – where did they all go?), the 5-door 900 was only offered very early on in the model run. Soon after they pulled the 5-door from the market, Saab brought a 4-door 900 sedan to the market, and of course the 5-door 9000 showed up in 1986.

This particular car is one of those few 5-doors. As with most older Saabs, it’s been a workhorse most of its life, and so it’s got some rough spots. And our example, listed for $850 in Phoenix, OR (near Medford), is really too good to pass up.

1980 Saab 900 5-door front left

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Made by Trolls – 1970 Saab 95

February 11, 2010

So at this point, you might think I’m quite the Saab nut, having featured a 95, a couple of pre-GM 900s, and a 99 turbo. However, I’ve never owned one, so much as had friends and family who did; so maybe I’m a Saab nut by proxy. As someone who appreciates creative engineering solutions, sometimes to questions nobody asked (Question: How few cylinders *can* you use to power a 7-seat station wagon? Answer: 3.), you can’t help but admire these cars. If you aren’t convinced, here’s a video extolling the wonders of the 1961 Saab 95, complete with pre-ironic music and a family purchased in flat packs at IKEA:

Today’s feature car is a slightly later model, built in 1970. It benefits from the larger Ford Taunus-sourced V4, although the later interior has less of that mid-century modern cool to it. It also still has the 3rd row seat , something that was dropped in 1976 (not relevant to the US market, as it was no longer for sale here). It’s listed in Gig Harbor, WA for the reasonable price of $2500.

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Bargain Buy – 1978 Saab 99 Turbo

January 8, 2010

See below the link for an update to this post.

So while I normally totally disregard investment value of a car (obviously!), I do sometimes wish I could get something back out of the cars that are harder to work on. Apparently, some things are harder to do on a 99, although a clutch job is one of the easiest automotive repairs ever. As an early example of a turbocharged production car, you get some level of exclusivity, collectibility, and miserable turbo lag until BANG you’re off. Just hope the roads aren’t wet or you’ll be off into a bush if you don’t have a firm grip on the wheel. That said, I remember having a lot of fun in my parents’ ’86 9000 turbo, which had lag up until about 3000rpm.

Anyway, on to the subject of this post. It’s a well-used looking car on which the 6th digit has rolled over on its odometer twice. However, Saabs can usually handle it, and it appears to be a fairly complete car with TURBO badges, original trim, Inca wheels, and 6 mudflaps. It’s missing the cool turbo graphics, but with silk-screening technology (I think that’s what you use to repro stickers) what it is today, these can probably be remade, if someone hasn’t already done it. Find it at the Swedish Auto Factory under Cars for Sale for $2000 in Santa Clara, CA.

1978 Saab 99 turbo

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