Saab 900 Turbo – The Gryphon Came From North

19 May 2017 Redazione Budget Cars, Vintage, Your Cars

SAAB 900 TURBO 16V AERO

THE GRYPHON CAME FROM NORTH

Words: Gianluca Zani

Photography: Federico Vandone dell’Acqua

SAAB is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktie Bolaget (Swedish aircraft company), a company founded in 1937 for the production of military and civilian aircrafts. The project 90 was a plane, so it was the 91, while the 92 was a car. Hence the history of the brand as an automobile manufacturer.

In a Country that, due to its extreme latitude, lives in very adverse weather conditions, a limited (but worthy of praise) design team has always answered problems with innovative solutions, just remember that 70% of the world’s patents related to safety automotive are the result of two Scandinavian brands: Saab and Volvo. After all the world could expect that from those who built what it’s still today the safest civil aircraft in civil aviation. The history of SAAB does not really see many production models, this of which I talk to you sounds like the notes of a pianist, the 900.

A former revolutionary model, the 99 from 1968 evolved giving most of its mechanical and vehicle frame basis in what becomes the project 900 which is 5cm longer and at the same time also increased the nose and tail measures resulting in a complete new shape. The pencils of Trollhättan designers, its homeland, have always imprinted strong personality to their cars, while interior and exterior maintain the innate Scandinavian sobriety where nothing is left to chance, but with the 900 corporate executives wanted to give the brand a strong and decisive imprint of technological superiority, high comfort, driving pleasure, safety and security all joined by the exclusivity that Saab never lacked. So this car became managers favorite, but was also chosen by professionals who make their way into the 80s economy panorama, accountants, lawyers and notaries; the Saab 900 Turbo, especially when black and with 3 doors, is a business card on its own.

Many and different engines, which started in 1978 from a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated powered by single carburetor and 100hp have led to a 16 valves turbocharged with electronic fuel injection grounding 185hp and APC (Automatic Performance Control), what was the first electronic overboost in the world. The long-lived supercharged engine turns out to be powerful making the car fast and with superior road behaviors also thanks to a powerful braking system. It offers the most noble Swedish steel, housing safety cell with body deformation program – perhaps the first production car to be equipped with this – anti-intrusion doors, collapsible steering column and first and foremost the ability to add pollen filter to the already refined air-conditioning system.

It is not a simple car for fashionists, it is essentially for gourmets.

The one reviewed in this very article, after a long hibernation that lasted almost 10 years, was found a few kilometers from a small town on the border with Switzerland, maybe that’s an import version from this Country. Today it’s sits in the same conditions in which it has been “awakened”. Year 1988 Full Turbo APC 16valves and 175hp with Aero kit, equipped with sunroof, climate control, heated seats and cruise control.
At the time of writing this the 900 has changed “pilot”, now it lives the fairytale setting of Venice. Why do I say “pilot” and not owner? ‘cause Saab seem wanting to take off.