Autoblog

Saab celebrates 25 years of topless motoring

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 May 2011 08:30:00 EST

Saab celebrates 25 years of convertibles - Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab appears to have beaten its short-term cash crunch (for now), making this as good a time as any to celebrate 25 years of Saab convertibles. The Swedish automaker has built 300,000 droptops since the first Saab 900 convertible hit the scene in 1986 as a 1987 model, giving the automaker a foothold in the luxury convertible market.

The first-generation 900 convertible was an unlikely hit for an automaker best known for its foul weather prowess, iconoclastic styling, turbo expertise and sensible packaging. Despite this, the 900 droptop was popular enough that it led to a 12-month waiting list, but it was the second generation 900 droptop that really made a go of it. Saab sold over 149,000 models from 1994 to 2002, giving the Swedish automaker a much-needed boost. Team Trollhättan followed that success with the 9-3 we have today, which has sold nearly 100,000 units since 2003.

Hit the jump for a more thorough rendition of Saab's drop-top history. Saab may sit in the middle of the land of snow and ice, but the Swedish automaker can definitely make a solid convertible for those days when the sun does shine.

Continue reading Saab celebrates 25 years of topless motoring

Saab celebrates 25 years of topless motoring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online Find of the Day: 1985 Saab 900 Turbo limousine is long on charm

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Etc., Saab, Specialty

1985 Saab 900 Turbo Limousine - Click above for high-res image gallery

Known as "The Classic" among brand fans, the first generation Saab 900 enjoyed a seriously long production run from 1978 to 1993. It was offered as a coupe, sedan, three and five-door hatchback and even a convertible version. One bodystyle the car car not offered in, however, was that of a stretched limousine. But that little omission apparently didn't stop one determined Saab owner with plans for his 1985 900 Turbo. The mad scientist decided to add six feet to the 184.1-inch length of the original car. The result is a five-speed manual transmission equipped Saab 900 Turbo limousine, and it can be parked in (and possibly hang out of) your driveway for $12,500.

The owner has posted his turbocharged limo on SaabNet and states he states that the vehicle is very clean and runs great. It has 145,000 miles on the odometer, which for a 900 Turbo is barely middle-age. A first generation Saab 900 is pretty cool, and a turbocharged limo with a manual gearbox is certainly unique. We only wish we could see what has been done to the interior, but alas, there are no photos and with (what else) limo-tinted windows, there's no peeking inside, either. The asking price seems a bit steep compared to what a normal 900 Turbo might command, but this might be the only limo that would be at home running the prom circuit as it would a Swedish forest rally stage, and that's gotta be worth something.

The ad can be found in the SaabNet classifieds, scroll down a bit to find it.

Gallery: 1985 Saab 900 Turbo Limousine

[Source: SaabNet]

Online Find of the Day: 1985 Saab 900 Turbo limousine is long on charm originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG?

Alex Nunez — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Videos, Celebrities

Peter Peter Hughes as Fangio. Click above to watch the music video after the jump.

An entire concept album born from a 23-year-old song imagining Juan Manuel Fangio piloting a Saab SPG through the Andes on a mission to assassinate former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet? The plot sounds like some mythical collaboration between Terry Gilliam and Sergio Leone. In fact, the artist behind it all is Peter Peter Hughes, whom you may know from his work as a member of The Mountain Goats.

The first two songs off Hughes' new solo project, Fangio, will be released on August 10, both digitally and on vinyl (the 7" will be available via Fayettenam Records). The complete LP follows on September 7 (vinyl again available via Fayettenam -- and dig that album artwork). Preceding all that, however, is the music video for the track, "My God is an Angry God." Directed by our great friend (and Jalopnik O.G.) Davey G. Johnson, the video - shot in true guerilla style using locales in upstate New York including the old Watkins Glen GP circuit - stars Hughes as Fangio and Hughes' personal Saab SPG as itself.

Follow the jump to watch the video, and be sure to pick up the record once it's officially released. For additional updates, you can follow Peter Peter Hughes at his website, Fivetools.com, and also be sure to check in on Davey at his place, the excellently-named Sofaleggera.com.

[Source: Fivetools.com, Sofaleggera.com]

Continue reading Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG?

Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Saab owners to commune with the faithful in... Aurora, Ohio?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Etc., Saab, Spyker, Luxury

Saab: A History in Pictures - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sure enough, fans of the Dutch-owned Swedish manufacturer will descend on Aurora to participate in this year's 2010 Saab Owner's Convention. Why Aurora, Ohio? Because 30 years ago, that was where Saab took the checkered at the "Longest Day at Nelson Ledges" 24 hour endurance race. To mark the occasion and celebrate escaping the steely death grip of General Motors, the three-day event will feature a keynote address from none other than the company's charismatic head honcho, Victor Muller. Word has it that Saab's current chairman, Jan-Åke Jonsson will say a word or two as well. Perhaps tellingly, in past years, GM sent lower-level executives to gladhand at the Saab Owner's Convention, but this is the first time in memory that such high-ranking officials have committed to make the scene.

Meanwhile, a track day will kick off with test drives of the new 9-5 Aero Sedan open to any and all who choose to participate. Saab will also have a 9-3 Aero Convertible on hand to pore over as well. As you might have guessed, there will also be a handful of car show events on the schedule, complete with awards for people's choice, Concours d'Saab and best Saab Fleet in North America. Fortunately, the whole collection doesn't have to be in Aurora to pick up the gold on that last one. The shindig starts tomorrow, Thursday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, July 25, so if you've got a Saab-loving bone in your body, you know where to be. Hit the jump to see the full press blast.

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Source: Saab Cars North America]

Continue reading New Saab owners to commune with the faithful in... Aurora, Ohio?

New Saab owners to commune with the faithful in... Aurora, Ohio? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rally legend Per Eklund to enter Nürburgring 24 in classic Saab 900 Turbo

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Saab

Hold on to your Dubbelmossas, rally fans. Legendary Swedish rally and rallycross driver Per "Pekka" Eklund is coming back, and he's coming back hard. How hard? A Saab 900 Turbo 16S built to Group A specs.. Sure, it's not diamond tough hard - like this - but we're still impressed. Not only that, but he'll be campaigning the 26-year old front-driver in the ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Also of note, it's been thirty years since Eklund competed in a 24 hour race.

Fear not though, as this particular Saab 900 Turbo sounds totally up to the task as it's capable of producing 310 hp and a punishing 384 pound-feet of torque ~~steer~~. Says Eklund, "When I got offer to be able to compete with a classic Saab 900 Turbo on the Nordschleife, I immediately loved the idea." Who wouldn't?

Will the 64-year old Eklund be up to the task of racing around one of the world's most difficult tracks in the middle of the night in car built (probably) the same night Mondale was defeated? We'll go ahead and guess yes, he'll be just fine. As for a Saab holding together for 24 grueling hours, hey, anything's possible. The fun starts on May 13th.

[Source: Per Eklund via Saabs United]

Rally legend Per Eklund to enter Nürburgring 24 in classic Saab 900 Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Next-gen Saab 9-3 to see return of five-door bodystyle?

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Saab, Spyker, Rumormill, Luxury

Saab 9-3 Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hopefully, and while Spyker's at it they'll bring back the 900 name. Don't count on that last bit, but according to a report by the Dutch site Auto Internationaal, Saab will be bringing back a five-door (as in hatchback) 9-3. To even the most casual Saab fan, this makes a ton of sense. In fact, Saab's decision (even though it was really General Motors' decision) to end production of the 9-3 hatch in favor of the 9-3 sedan is still both baffling and painful, all these many years later.

The thing is, Saab has always been, and will probably always remain a niche brand. The notion that by dropping the odd five-door (and three-door) body style in favor of a more conventional sedan body, stay a high-dollar front-dollar and poach sales away from BMW is as laughable now as it was back in 2002 when Saab/GM made the switch. Bringing back a five-door is most likely the brand's best shot at salvation.

Besides, five-door, luxury/performance niche vehicles seem to be all the rage. Look no further than the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and upcoming Audi A5 Sportback. Let's not forget about the Caddy CTS Sportwagon, either. Not only that, you have a lot of people getting older and richer who spent their formative years in Subaru WRXs, Volkswagen GTIs and MazdaSpeed3s now looking for something a little more grown up and sophisticated. We really can't see any downside to hatch'd 9-3. Now if Saab would only bring back the longitudinal, backwards engine... though probably not, as the next 9-3 will likely be Opel Astra-based.

Gallery: First Drive: Saab Turbo X

[Source: Euro Car Blog via Auto Internationaal]

Rumormill: Next-gen Saab 9-3 to see return of five-door bodystyle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab 900 passes one-million mile mark

Scott Davis — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Saab

This isn't exactly new news since it happened back in September, but a search of our archives shows that we didn't cover the fact that in a little over 17 years, traveling salesman Peter Gilbert racked up 1,001,385 miles, a distance equal to 40 times around the Earth, in his 1989 Saab 900 SPG.

Amazingly, other than a hood replacement and a "few other parts" due to eight deer collisions and a transmission overhaul at 200,000 miles, the vehicle still wears most of its original equipment. Gilbert states that at the 600,000-mile mark it wasn't using any oil, which he attributes to meticulous maintenance using synthetic fluids. It was then that he thought it might just go a million miles, and it did. In fact, Gilbert thinks it might go a million more if it weren't for the harsh Wisconsin winters that have taken their toll on the frame and body.

After mileage verification from Saab, the vehicle was donated to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, which is home to a number of rare vehicles. Since then, Gilbert has purchased another Saab, with just a few less miles.

Interestingly enough, while a handful of vehicles have reached the million-mile mark, including this Dodge Ram, only one has been officially recorded as reaching two million miles... a Volvo P1800.

[Source: Saabnet.com

Saab 900 passes one-million mile mark originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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