RR of the Day: '87 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible
Ahhh, 80s week. We've already seen one of our favorite Germans and a blocky Japanese classic. Today, we take a virtual road trip up to New Hampshire for a little Scandinavian treat.
Patrick's 1987 Saab 900 Convertible was bought four years ago for a reasonable-sounding $1,800. At the time, he says, the car was junkyard material. Luckily for the ragtop Saab, Patrick (a.k.a. Flickr user smackdownsaab), was prepared to give it the TLC and financial support needed to bring it up to daily-driver standards. We'd say that things worked out quite well.
First off, he replaced the convertible top. Next, he set about giving the car a thorough makeover, adding the always appealing SPG skirts, bumper extensions, and wheel arches. The rear axles and front suspension were swapped for newer versions that allowed him to install the improved brake system found on later models. An added side benefit of the latter is that it also allowed him to install the 3-spoke aero-look Saab wheels to match the rest of the SPG appearance package. We also like the "Viggen" badging he added above the side markers. New springs drop the whole affair an inch and a half.
According to Patrick, the car's paint (save for the bumpers, which he says were resprayed) is original and mostly devoid of rust. Looking at the photos, it's hard to imagine that this Saab was ever junker material. Nice job, Patrick. You've scored yourself today's Reader Ride of the Day.
We're still on the prowl for more rides of the 80s, so pause that Rick Springfield tape for a minute and submit your photos to our Flickr account by following the directions after the jump.
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Search for and join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as possible. Even if your ride is sweet, it will not be chosen if there's not a lot of info accompanying it. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done, that's it!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
solargeelong 5:34AM (4/08/2009)
Nice example of a 900 ragtop. Its a pity GM didnt do to SAAB that Ford did to Volvo, RIP SAAB - Long live oldschool 99, 900.
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JS 9:30AM (11/22/2006)
"First off, he replaced the convertible top. Hext, he set about..."
Hext.......AHHHHHHHH ITS A HEXTED CAR, RUN AWAY!!!! BAD MOJO!!!!!
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Jim 9:31AM (11/22/2006)
VERY smooth. I owned a bunch of Saabs and a couple SPGs back in the day and they still sit at the top of my "I'll buy another one someday and fix it up" list. Nicely done.
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jmfangio 9:39AM (11/22/2006)
Nice ride.
When I was in high school, this was THE car to have.
The shape and design are still light years more desirable than any current Saab on the market today.
Damn Saab, what happened to you guys?
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Ken 9:47AM (11/22/2006)
"Damn Saab, what happened to you guys?"
GM happened to them...
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same race marriage 10:14AM (11/22/2006)
I was going to say the same thing, I feel so bad for Saab lovers, they've REALLY been betrayed by GM.
That said, this is a real beauty.
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pavster 10:17AM (11/22/2006)
If GM hadn't happened to them, they would have been long gone. Love this car tho... It's also on my list to buy and fix.
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ralphie 10:22AM (11/22/2006)
Mr. Goodwrench began speaking Swedish: Skol
That's the beginning of the end.
As evidenced in the WRX Saab-a-ru debacle
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Richard Warren 12:02PM (11/22/2006)
Nice one.
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Graham Lunn 11:36AM (11/22/2006)
Just bought a 97 Saab Convertible, from ebay for $1000, just because I always wanted one and I am amazed how good the car is to drive, This Saab Classic looks just as good.
Some green thinking individual ought to look at the benefits of giving new life to older cars as being a greener option than buying new.
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mr black 11:24AM (11/22/2006)
If you are Saab aficionado, you can be thankful for the 9-7X SUV. True to Saab heritage it has a center mounted ignition. Thank you, thank you GM. (this post has a healthy dose of irony)
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scooter 11:57AM (11/22/2006)
Totally jealous, nicely done! You have my vote.
These cars look hip and modern 20 years later.
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Aaron Khoo 12:37PM (11/22/2006)
This is actually the first RR that I actually have feelings about. The classic Saab 900 is actually exactly what I want my first car to be.
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G 12:37PM (11/22/2006)
The original 900 cars were terrific. They truer Saab character than the current 9-3 today.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/05/drive-saab-9-3.html
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Ron 1:14PM (11/22/2006)
I vividly remember driving a hard top version a few times in the mid 90's. If you floored it the front end would rise so much that the road would temporarily disappear from view. What a scary car to drive (and not scary in a good way either).
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Bill Maher is an Idiot 12:55AM (11/23/2006)
To any of those complaining about Saab's current designs--they look the same! But instead of being big blocks with wheels, they have smoother edges. As for this car, it beats the Supra from yesterday.
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Martin 3:41PM (11/22/2006)
I love these cars, we've got a nice Monte Carlo yellow convertible, fantastic machine. The sound it makes can rival almost anything.
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Andy 4:44PM (11/22/2006)
Again--the newer ones look much better, and they're not all that great.
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patrick 6:23PM (11/22/2006)
I felt bad after reading the great write up. Even though it was my vision to how the car turned out, 95% of the work was done by Jon and his crew at Commercial Tech Service in Bow, NH. I wouldn't own Saabs at all if it wasnt for them. -Thanks, Patrick.
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Jolvo 9:45PM (12/01/2006)
Timeless design and one of the sportiest styled cars of the the 80's. Beautifully restored in all it's glory. This car reminds you of the passion you felt when someone said "Saab Turbo". It's too bad Saab can't come up with a new 900 turbo(drop 9-3 name)with retro styling based on this classic 900. They need to do what Chevy is doing with the upcoming Camaro Z28.
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