Introduced in May 1978 and produced until 1994, the Saab 900 ‘Classic’ was a car that was incredibly far ahead of its time, featuring numerous technological advances hitherto unseen within the automotive industry, along with plentiful aeronautical influences, thanks to SAAB’s history in the aviation industry.
These points, along with their mechanical longevity and ease of ownership, endeared the 900 in both Turbo and non-turbo forms to enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
Specifically, the 900 Turbo was offered in both high and low-pressure formats, with the former being arguably more desirable for enthusiasts. Of particular note was SAAB’s use of Automatic Performance Control (APC) which was revolutionary at its time, allowing the engine to run at its limit, with knock sensors scaling back the charge pressure automatically by opening a bypass wastegate.
This not only improved performance, but also allowed for owners to use various grades of fuel without issue.
Delivered new to Japan in July 1992 and finished in the attractive combination of Nocturne Blue over dark grey Bridge of Weir leather, this FPT (full-pressure turbo) example of the 900 Turbo is notable not only for its desirable FPT designation - with the boost gauge in the dashboard - but also being a late example of the 4-door Sedan Turbo, as this body style ceased to be available in Europe following the 1987 facelift, making this a very rare example indeed on UK or European roads.
Specified from new with a 3-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission coupled to the B202L engine, this 900 Turbo also benefits from 15” alloy wheels, electric sunroof/windows/mirrors, retains its original stereo, headlight wipers, rear headrests, electrically retracting aerial and its CD multi-changer.
The car was also specified with central locking, cruise control and air-conditioning, though the vendor advises us that the latter two of these are inoperable, and the central locking has an intermittent issue that they hope to address before the sale completes.
Imported personally by the vendor during late 2017, they remain the only UK-registered keeper. During their ownership, the car has never been driven on salty roads, and has undergone some sympathetic restoration work, along with extensive servicing, including the following items:
Bonnet repainted in 2018 due to lacquer peel
New front and rear brake pads in 2019
Replacement interior headlining in 2020, along with a crack-free dashboard replacement
Major service in 2020 including transmission and engine oil changes, new ABS sensors, new lower front ball joints and a compression test, showing 145 psi across all cylinders
New starter motor and battery in 2020
Fitment of new aux/fan belts and a new ABS accumulator in 2021.
In addition to the above work, the car was also made legal for UK roads upon import in 2017 with the fog light made operational, along with receiving new spark plugs, leads, fuel pumps, four new Kumho tyres and new middle and rear exhaust sections.
Since import, the car has covered around 3,100 miles in the current ownership, and the car has been maintained with a strict emphasis on preserving its originality and excellent condition.
Evidently, this work has paid off, as in September 2021 it won the ‘Best 90s car’ award at a classic car show in Rhyl, and also formed the basis of the SAAB 900 article on the Dyler website.
Included with the vehicle is the full Japanese history, including service records from new until 41,150 miles (11 entries in total) the owner's manual, de-registration certificate, Japanese inspection report, two sets of keys, and a full tool kit, which even includes cotton gloves!
The V5 is also present, showing 0 former UK keepers, numerous MoT certificates and other miscellaneous paperwork.
On the inside, this 900 Turbo has been very well-kept indeed, thanks to both fastidious ownership and a few careful restoration works, including a new crack-free dashboard, which is further protected by a custom-made fabric cover to preserve its condition.
Elsewhere, there are some light usage marks to the usual high-traffic areas such as the shifter, steering wheel and door cards, but these are minor and in keeping with the car’s low mileage and careful ownership.
The leather seats display a wonderfully worn-in appearance, with some light creases and marks, but keep them fed and there’s no doubt they’ll stay in such fantastic condition for many more years to come.
Up above, the recently-replaced headliner is taut throughout, and other than the aforementioned issues with the cruise, A/C and central locking, all systems are working as intended. Regarding the air-conditioning issue, the fans and compressor kick in as they should, it simply does not blow cold.
Externally, this award-winning 900 Turbo presents in fantastic condition, with its Nocturne Blue paintwork being original throughout save for the aforementioned bonnet respray, and being free of any major scuffs or blemishes as far as we can see.
Naturally, there will be a few signs of wear - as expected for a 30-year-old car - but nothing too dramatic. The vendor does report that since being sprayed, the bonnet has had a slight reaction, and would require taking back to bare metal and respraying to bring it back to its best.
All four wheels present in good order, with only a couple of minor marks to speak of. We’d also suggest giving the various black plastic trims a thorough treatment or conditioning to bring them back to life, though they are perfectly presentable as they sit.
It is also worth noting that thanks to its easy going life in Japan and its lack of winter driving here in the UK, the car has never required any welding and the overall condition of the bodywork is very good indeed, with particular reference made to the door lower edges, driveshaft tunnels, bonnet and boot floor.
Under the bonnet, the B202L engine is in reportedly rude mechanical health, having benefited from extensive works and servicing upon arrival in the UK, and having covered only a handful of miles since.
From what we can see, there is only some superficial ‘bloom’ on some exposed engine components, and no signs of any oil or fluid leaks.
The most recent MoT exam - dated 19 May 2021 - shows a clean pass with no advisories, following the fitment of a new stop lamp bulb and some attention to the ABS system earlier in the day.
Not only is this particular SAAB 900 the most desirable model - the FPT model - but also boasts an increased degree of rarity, thanks to being a late-model Turbo Sedan, which was culled from the European lineup post-1987, yet remained available in foreign markets.
Presented in fantastic condition throughout and benefitting from never having seen salted roads, this is a wonderful award-winning example of the 900 Turbo Sedan, and offers plenty of usability and enjoyment for the next owner to make the most of.
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1992 SAAB 900 Turbo FPT
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