Factory custom, one-family Saab 900 Turbo!

This 1983 Saab 900 Turbo might not look different at first glance, but it was a unique, one off factory custom order for a Sheik who didnt collect it and has spent its entire life with the same British family!

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[corrbhan]

I owned a three-door 900 many years ago and loved it!

There's a reason the ignition key is between the seats. Saab wanted it away from the steering column, where it cou hurt your knee in an accident. But that meant there was no steering lock, so they devised a gear lever lock instead. And believe me, that lock is strong! On my car, I had to take it apart because the ignition switch failed. It would take to much time to go into the details, but I can assure you that the system is so strong that you'd sooner brake off the entire gear lever than get it out of reverse. And I'm not kidding!

[alistairlambert]

Great review. The 2.0 900 hatch was my first car when I was 22. Such a great intro to motoring.

[PlattLaneEnd]

I no longer have a Saab. I've had 7 over the years. By a million miles my favourite car brand. 3 of my Saabs were the classic 900 - my favourite car ever. Totally unique and quirky. The central ignition key, the vacuum powered heating controls. Great 'flat' handling. Incredible turning circle. That clamshell bonnet. The sound. Everything is just wonderful.

[saippuakivikuappias]

Oh my. I've always loved Saabs, and the 900 in particular. Now I want one more than ever.

[jgg]

As a swede, I approve this review. I want to click the like button 100 times

[liamduffy]

This belongs to a very good friend of mine, and this is more than just an awesome car but more of a member of the family!

[OneDullMan]

I had a 1988 900S - 2 door coupe. Was one of the rare ones that did not have a hatchback. I sold it because. And now I want another.

[GetTheZoomOutaHere]

My buddy has one. He bought it new in 1984. Beautiful machine. Highly specced like this one. I think there's more than 200, 000 miles on it now. Unfortunately, he's not able to drive anymore, so it's been sitting in his garage for a few year at this stage. He told me that it was stolen on him twice, and both times he got it back. I repaired the damage done by the thieves the second time, and unfortunately, it's not as difficult as made out to be. When you're a car thief, you don't care about being pig ignorant to someone else's property. They just kicked the gear leaver and broke the lock housing, iirc. I don't think there's any steering lock on them, so it was easy from then on to drive away.

Luckily, there was never any other damage to it. Aside from the car doesn't see the road these days anymore, I'm guessing car thieves these days wouldn't know how to hotwire a car now.

[topspoke]

Wish I still had my 1987 SAAB 900 16v which I bought in 2001 for £850. They are a lot more than that now! Wonderful car it was. I still drive a SAAB 9-5 Aero and my wife has a 9-3. Great video. Thanks for bringing us this wonderful story.

[Andy_ATB]

What a lovely 'old' car; everything is designed for a reason - and has a place.

[mattrawlingsmatt]

My dad had 1 for 15 years, 260k miles, still want 1 now. Can't beat a dad's car.

[mpersad]

Terrific review of a classic. As I might have said before, I do so miss the great visibility we used to have in our cars. I know there are “reasons” but I do wish modern cars weren’t so claustrophobic and offering such poor visibility. Thanks Matt, loved this.

[Stevieweevietv]

Oh I do love a Saab! In my top 3 favourite cars. Just something about their uniqueness and style. That's a gorgeous car.

[Hlminator]

One of the most beautiful cars in the world..

[anthonystevens]

A brilliant review of a car with such a history. I wasn't really a fan of the look of Saab cars as a kid growing up in the 70's but that engineering that went behind them did endear me to the cars. The aesthetics grew on me quite a lot as they were something totally different. Most cars of that era were heavily influenced by American styles, not Saab though. The ergonomics were way ahead of the time as well. Many thanks for sharing.

[seancooke]

Gone but forgotten never.
The 9000 turned the wick up even more which was an achievement in itself.
The real trick of the 900 was that it never looked past its sell by date.
The humble 1979 2.0 litre GLs was no slouch either.
The one comparison I remember from 1981 was that in my Dad's Friend's 900 GLs you sat fully supported on the rear rear bench while in my Uncle's 1979 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0 litre GL you sunk into the rear bench and kept sinking.

[michaeltreadwell]

Great video. I'm a SAAB NUT - had 7 over my 53 years of driving. I started with a 1963 Bullnose 2 stroke, then a V4, then 2 x 900s, a 99, then a 900 LPT and finally a 1991 900i, which I ran for 18 delightful years. I only sold it as I just didn't use it enough to warrant the expense of owning a car, but I wouldn't think twice about getting another 900i, if I ever could justify it.

[fhwolthuis]

Beautiful car, I have a soft spot for most Saabs 🥰

[graemetaylor]

My Grandfather had a 99 then 900, my father had a 99 then 90 and I had a 900 then 9-5. Love SAABs. The 1982 900 saved my Grandparents lives. A Lada veneered across the road and hit them head on. No time to brake so an impact speed of close to 100mph. My elderly grandparents walked away from the intact passenger cage. Probably saved the Lada driver too who survived despite the gearbox being pushed back as far as the back seats.

[zm]

The 4 door sedan is rightly starting to be more appreciated now and is my favourite 900 body style.