Description
A pained sale of my very rare Beryl Green (Australian import) SAAB Classic 900 16v Turbo light restoration project, loaded with lovely Abbott Racing and SAAB upgrades.
You can find 40 videos on my YT channel which documents the progress of this SAAB over the past 12 months in my ownership: everything you could ever want to know about the car is there: martynsboostedswedes
This is an straightforward restoration project deserving of completion: it is very close to being road worthy, but sadly I've come to the limits of my time and money, and with other classic cars in my ownership, this one now has to be moved on: with the weather closing in and no storage or access to a ramp, it will realistically be the summer until I am able to get it to the standards I had in mind for it (which is one of - if not the best Classic 900's around), and my other classics (a Delta HF Turbo and a URS6) risk taking a back seat in the meantime.
While on 314, 000km, these SAABs are mechanically very robust, and with an interesting history to it, it needs to be saved. Anyone clued-up with SAAB's will know that the car could break for parts for my asking price, but that would be a huge pity.
The good (please see the videos for details)
* 5sp manual 16v Turbo
* Starts first time on the key, drives, stops.
* Exceptionally rare Beryl Green exterior
*£3000 leather re-trim with previous owner (stunning tan leather, amazing colour combination with the green paint)
* Factory A/ C (yes!)
* Electric steel sunroof (fully operational)
* Electric (factory bronze tinted) windows (cleaned, greased, swift operation)
* Electric mirrors fully operational
* Carlsson 16" 3 spoke alloys
* Carlsson steering wheel (with matching tan accent)
* Carlsson whale tail
* Carlsson 185bhp ECU
* Abbott Racing suspension kit (Koni's & Abbott springs)
* Abbott Racing Chargecooler
* Abbott Racing s/ s exhaust
* Solid bodywork and largely very solid chassis (everything significant has already been subject to 30+ hours welding, all of which is documented in the videos, including: arches, sills, transmission tunnels, bonnet, door bottoms, tailgate etc, using correct repair panels from SAABITS).
* Carpets removed and machine cleaned
* Fully sound-deadened plus quality 3 layer underlay fitted (£700+ of materials) before carpet was refitted
* Snow covers
* Aero kit complete and with new weather seals (kit not refitted as I was going to first have the car painted)
* New Genuine SAAB leather gear knob
* New seatbelt buckles
* Blaupunkt period head unit (with original mint SAAB Clarion headunit and separate SAAB Clarion EQ available if not sold in the interim
* Good headlights
* Lovely clean chrome grille
*'Turbo' bonnet badges included (removed for welding)
* All interior trim bits - clips, covers, screws etc - present and correct
* Original photos and contact details of a prior owner when it lived in Brisbane, Australia (until 1999 when it was then imported to the UK)
* Private plate C9 OOG plus physical plates available to purchase separately (if not sold in the meantime)
The not-so-good:
This lovely 900 Turbo is only approx £1500 away from being MOT'd: some minor welding is required that was missed first time round (O/ S/ R lower sill / a patch under the fuel tank). The remainder of the MOT work to the best of my knowledge is as follows:
* NSF CV boot split (fail)
* N/ S/ R calliper slightly binding (advisory)
* Simple elec work Inc innop Washer pump, horn, and some lights (fail)
* O/ S/ F spring snapped (fail)
* x4 tyres perished (fail)
* Wiper blades perished (fail)
* Drives on base-boost only as the factory APC valve is inop (a £30 manual boost controller is the simple solution)
* Headlining needs retiming (surprise surprise!), the wheels refurbishing and a cosmetic repair to the whale tail rubber.
Summary:
With all the work documented in the videos already completed, the car is tantalising closed to being road-worthy, so why do I not do so? I set myself the target of this being one of the very best Classic 900 Turbo's around: to take it from a road-worthy MOT state to that target of mine is a significant amount of addition time and expense, and will therefore become a lengthy 'on the road restoration': I would rather hand the baton some another deserving classic car enthusiast.
The new owner will need to apply for the registration documents
Priced to sell.
All the best. When did you last see a full-fat 16v Turbo in Beryl Green with immaculate tan leather? When did you last see one loaded with Abbott Racing and SAAB accessories? When did you last see any Classic 900 that is solid, with over 30hrs of welding? This truly is a one-off opportunity to purchase a unique turbo-charged, classic SAAB that with just finishing touches will be a highly desirable, practical and rapid modern classic.
