Description
Desirable and rare halo model 9-3 with Hirsch mods. For sale, very reluctantly, is my 1999 Saab Viggen convertible. This is an early model, the Viggen range running until 2002 before being superseded by the lower engine-specc'd Aero.
With a comprehensive service history, including a £1, 000+ clean bill of health bill from Saab gurus Abbott Racing in 2024, the car has been used sporadically in my ownership. The car comes with eight months remaining on the MOT, which it had passed without advisories.
Naturally, the car will come with a rather large folder of paperwork, showing how it has been lovingly cared for throughout its life. Receipts total well in excess of five figures.
In my possession, I wanted to lift the look a little as it was fitted with orange side indicators (which, I’m led to believe, were standard on early Viggens), so a set of clear repeaters were installed. I feel these bring a little more cohesion to the look, but the car will be sold with the original items.
Sadly, as most Viggen owners will know, the original 17” five-spoke alloy wheels are extremely prone to buckling, thus were not available when I took ownership, instead a more ordinary set of 17" Saab alloys were fitted. I wanted to elevate the aesthetic and pay homage to the original look so added a set of 18” ‘Star’ Ronal 41 five-spoke alloys, which I think are a modern interpretation of the original wheel. However, after a short period I decided to take another path despite being more than happy with the Ronals.
The original mats were looking past their best so a set of original, genuine, Saab mats were ordered from Sweden in a dark grey/ black colourway with blue piping to match the car’s Lightning Blue hue.
So, to the condition. The car can best be described as immaculate. The body is dent-free, a consistent shade across all panels and very shiny. The interior is equally as superb. It is in excellent order, even the driver’s seat has virtually no wear which is common on higher-mileage Saabs of this vintage.
The car starts on the button and drives beautifully, an indication that the low mileage of just 70k (and extremely low for a Viggen) means it feels very tight and barely run in. As it has been looked after over the years by Abbott Racing, it also means that both the ‘Rescue’ kit to brace the bulkhead, along with the uprated steering brace, have been fitted so these ensure the car handles fantastically well. For good measure, Saab remap specialist Noobtune supplied a replacement ECU with Stage 1 map, to bring power up to 275/ 280 bhp (the original ECU is also with the car). As a nod to the model and power, the car’s personalised registration of VIG 280 will stay with the car.
I’ve resisted the temptation to replace the stock exhaust with a louder system as I think it does a perfectly good job as is, not to mention the fact it is very quiet on longer runs. The ECU replacement is the only modification to an otherwise standard car. Speaking of which, this incredible 2. 3 engine is not only powerful but also very frugal – high 30s to potential low 40s mpg is not uncommon. The same engine can also be found in the 9000 Aero, one of which I ran three years ago and with similar mpg figures.
All electrics are in perfect working order including roof, cruise control, air-conditioning blows ice cold (thanks to a replacement condenser) and both electric seats work without fault.
The car is currently fitted with the incredibly rare 19” Hirsch-supplied three-spoke ‘cheese cutter’ wheels. They have recently been refurbished to a standard hyper silver finish and are fitted with as-new Uniroyal Rainsport 5 tyres, purchased from Viggen specialist Peter Raw at considerable expense. Please note, the car will be sold with the 18" alloys as per the first picture hence the large price reduction, these were fully refurbished earlier this year and fitted with brand-new Goodyear Assymetric 5 tyres. There is an option to purchase the 19" ones separately.
So, why am I selling? Simply put, the need to build a house extension. It means the classic 900 Turbo I also have will be for sale. I’m a Saab fanatic having had everything from 99 Turbos to 9-5 Aeros, so to see both cars go will be incredibly difficult but needs must.
