1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White
Discussion
darkyoung1000 said:
Absolutely wonderful. It's really scrubbed up will and looks good in white.
Best of luck with the future rolling fettling of if as a daily!
Thanks! I'm happy I have these pictures for fond memories, as another week of just using it seems to have settled another shedload of garbage on it. White cars... bah!Best of luck with the future rolling fettling of if as a daily!
Harji said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Nice buy! One of the first 16v turbos if memory serves.
PS - they all have that sort of lazy starter even with a good battery!
A Millennium Falcon start, a couple of heavy turns, then boom!PS - they all have that sort of lazy starter even with a good battery!
It is now stating on the 4th turn (2-3 seconds with regularity, but I did turn to my wife this evening and say "I fixed that..." in Han's voice!)
Cambs_Stuart said:
What a fantastic car. Good luck to you and your wife! I'll be following with interest.
Really love the old saab alloys.
Thanks! Yes the Super Incas suit white and the minimal trim level I think. The wife would like the BBS/lattice style ones but that's not on the must-do list.Really love the old saab alloys.
Pericoloso said:
Also 're the missing side trims,they are purely stick on,no holes in panels have been filled.
I can see definite marks on the doors, not sure if holes or glue marks, but all the other stuff hasn't left a mark.One of the main attractions of this example was the clean look it had, closer to the earlier cars.
e30m3Mark said:
Terrific looking car. I had a 99 for a short while and always lusted after a 900. A fantastic daily and way better than running a bland modern.
Hopefully! This evening any notion of a train was dismissed as she drove directly to, and parked outside the Serpentine Gallery amongst a sea of silver and black long wheelbase landtrains. Sunroof open, Magic FM on the Alpine for the drive home! I have to find some cassettes...
2018-06-14_11-31-13Oh also yesterday the stopgap mats arrived. Truly hideous slices of reconstituted landfill, in the most illogical shape possible, but they'll protect the carpet while we track down some originals in matching blue.
20180613_195223
20180613_195417Lovely car, Mr & Mrs OP.
I've owned my 900 T16S Monte Carlo Convertible for 18 years next month - no sign of it leaving the fold any time soon. These things get under your skin and you find yourself talking to owners in car parks who have also owned theirs for years.
I must admit, reading through the thread, I expected it to be an 8V and was surprised to see the underbonnet shot, especially after the unadorned look of the exterior. Even the arch trims have been removed! Bit of a Q-Car, that. My first 900 was an '87D, the first with the slope front and rear-acting handbrake (don't try a handbrake turn in yours - it won't end well).
Enjoy!
I've owned my 900 T16S Monte Carlo Convertible for 18 years next month - no sign of it leaving the fold any time soon. These things get under your skin and you find yourself talking to owners in car parks who have also owned theirs for years.
I must admit, reading through the thread, I expected it to be an 8V and was surprised to see the underbonnet shot, especially after the unadorned look of the exterior. Even the arch trims have been removed! Bit of a Q-Car, that. My first 900 was an '87D, the first with the slope front and rear-acting handbrake (don't try a handbrake turn in yours - it won't end well).
Enjoy!
I had a very similar 900 Turbo in white back in the 80's. Loved it and it set me on the road to serial Abbott modified Saabs - until GM moved in and destroyed the brand.
Couple of small points. The bonnets on these 900s are very susceptible to stone chip damage as your photos show, in period Saab offered a PVC protection strip to fit along the leading edge of the bonnet - these are still available if you hunt around. Also,on the safety front, these wonderful cars are capable of cruising all day at deceptive speeds - not quite sure about how vintage those tyres are ? It might be worth date checking them (its stamped on the sidewall). Also that unidirectional Riken (sound dodgy but made under licence to Michelin) looks to me (picture 5) to be mounted wrong directional...
Couple of small points. The bonnets on these 900s are very susceptible to stone chip damage as your photos show, in period Saab offered a PVC protection strip to fit along the leading edge of the bonnet - these are still available if you hunt around. Also,on the safety front, these wonderful cars are capable of cruising all day at deceptive speeds - not quite sure about how vintage those tyres are ? It might be worth date checking them (its stamped on the sidewall). Also that unidirectional Riken (sound dodgy but made under licence to Michelin) looks to me (picture 5) to be mounted wrong directional...
Edited by moffspeed on Friday 15th June 09:02
Edited by moffspeed on Friday 15th June 09:13
What a fantastic car - congrats to the both of you.
Brings back all sorts of memories: my Granny was Swedish and bought a Saab 99L in 1974 (GYE499N) that my parents bought off her in, I think, 1977 after a couple of Renault 16s, a Lancia Beta 1600 and a truly awful used Audi 100 (a C1). I remember my parents happiness that the front seats were heated, my joy that there were wipers and squirters on the headlights and Dad explaining to me that the handbrake worked on the front wheels and could be used to control traction in the snow.
Dad's work must have gone well because in 1980 he replace the 99 with a 3 door Saab 900 turbo (FYX658W). I think this was the single most exciting event of my childhood: to have a metallic sky blue 'Turbo' sitting out front in 1980 was a level of coolness never re-attained. 145hp!! Turbo lag (Dad loved demonstrating)!!! Alloys!!! Philips radio cassette (Boney M and Abba's Super Trouper)!!! A friend of his had bought one of the first 99 turbos in 1978, a black 3 door which must have made a big impression. There were few around at that point and I remember other friends asking what the heck this car was. By 1985, when we sold it, they were much more popular.
Brings back all sorts of memories: my Granny was Swedish and bought a Saab 99L in 1974 (GYE499N) that my parents bought off her in, I think, 1977 after a couple of Renault 16s, a Lancia Beta 1600 and a truly awful used Audi 100 (a C1). I remember my parents happiness that the front seats were heated, my joy that there were wipers and squirters on the headlights and Dad explaining to me that the handbrake worked on the front wheels and could be used to control traction in the snow.
Dad's work must have gone well because in 1980 he replace the 99 with a 3 door Saab 900 turbo (FYX658W). I think this was the single most exciting event of my childhood: to have a metallic sky blue 'Turbo' sitting out front in 1980 was a level of coolness never re-attained. 145hp!! Turbo lag (Dad loved demonstrating)!!! Alloys!!! Philips radio cassette (Boney M and Abba's Super Trouper)!!! A friend of his had bought one of the first 99 turbos in 1978, a black 3 door which must have made a big impression. There were few around at that point and I remember other friends asking what the heck this car was. By 1985, when we sold it, they were much more popular.
Spinakerr said:
The tyres are to be removed, buried and the earth around them salted in short order. They are worse than the pictures show, and my main fretting point at present. I am fanatical about safety and tyres on the wife's daily driver absolutely a priority!
Spinakerr,What is it like to drive (and what is your frame of reference?)? Does it ride OK, is it noisy, how does it go, is the visibility as spectacular as the shape of the windscreen suggests?
Or are there too many issues with it at the moment (e.g. tyres) to make a fair judgement?
TWPC said:
Spinakerr said:
The tyres are to be removed, buried and the earth around them salted in short order. They are worse than the pictures show, and my main fretting point at present. I am fanatical about safety and tyres on the wife's daily driver absolutely a priority!
Spinakerr,What is it like to drive (and what is your frame of reference?)? Does it ride OK, is it noisy, how does it go, is the visibility as spectacular as the shape of the windscreen suggests?
Or are there too many issues with it at the moment (e.g. tyres) to make a fair judgement?
Usually make quite a good burble as well, due to the length of the tailpipe
That looks great, I do prefer the flat-front look. I've had a later 16V turbo 3-dr and an earlier 4-dr 900i, fond memories of both. They go quite well in-gear, 0-60 looks poor on paper but they axle-tramp like crazy and it's not good for the gearbox. They are better at warping past slower traffic in a sustained 3rd gear turbo rush. I have a strange hankering to find a good 4-dr flat front and convert it to electric power...
Awesome keep up the hard work as it will be worth it. I'm on my 10th Saab currently, alas a GM 9-5 Aero but have had two classic 900s, a flatty and a slopey but both non turbo.
Good chassis but chocolate gearboxes..............................
Also I'd have a good look at the rear strut mounts and the main earthing point on the front sub-frame. I had to pull everything off and clean every wire end up before re-attaching on my 1985 flatty
Good chassis but chocolate gearboxes..............................
Also I'd have a good look at the rear strut mounts and the main earthing point on the front sub-frame. I had to pull everything off and clean every wire end up before re-attaching on my 1985 flatty
Edited by JMF894 on Friday 15th June 16:21
Goodness, Reader's Car Of The Week! Thank you PH!
Very happy to see it's triggered some positive memories and thank you for all the advice - there's plenty to do with this little snowplough and I'll be sure to post up every tear shed, knuckle skinned and incorrect part ordered. My wife got a note from a serial Saab-owning friend saying we had achieved fame, sponsorship deals and a lofty media platform on PH and it made a dull Friday a memorable day. Here it is cluttering up a posh part of town last night:
2018-06-16_12-03-32 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Crumbling hobnob tyres were changed this morning - more to follow on that.
Gearbox seems strong, it has been out and in a few times in its life and there are some hints of whines/mumbling but nothing to warrant attention yet...
Very happy to see it's triggered some positive memories and thank you for all the advice - there's plenty to do with this little snowplough and I'll be sure to post up every tear shed, knuckle skinned and incorrect part ordered. My wife got a note from a serial Saab-owning friend saying we had achieved fame, sponsorship deals and a lofty media platform on PH and it made a dull Friday a memorable day. Here it is cluttering up a posh part of town last night:
2018-06-16_12-03-32 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrTurbobanana said:
Lovely car, Mr & Mrs OP.
I've owned my 900 T16S Monte Carlo Convertible for 18 years next month - no sign of it leaving the fold any time soon. These things get under your skin and you find yourself talking to owners in car parks who have also owned theirs for years.
I must admit, reading through the thread, I expected it to be an 8V and was surprised to see the underbonnet shot, especially after the unadorned look of the exterior. Even the arch trims have been removed! Bit of a Q-Car, that. My first 900 was an '87D, the first with the slope front and rear-acting handbrake (don't try a handbrake turn in yours - it won't end well).
Enjoy!
Blimey, it'll be leaving for university soon! Luckily neither of us are inclined to handbrake turns, but upon inspection I was happy to see it all working correctly and adjusted properly before we bought it. We were handed some of the trims and about 7 wheel arch bits - they may go on while we find someone to take out the beginning of rust on two of them.I've owned my 900 T16S Monte Carlo Convertible for 18 years next month - no sign of it leaving the fold any time soon. These things get under your skin and you find yourself talking to owners in car parks who have also owned theirs for years.
I must admit, reading through the thread, I expected it to be an 8V and was surprised to see the underbonnet shot, especially after the unadorned look of the exterior. Even the arch trims have been removed! Bit of a Q-Car, that. My first 900 was an '87D, the first with the slope front and rear-acting handbrake (don't try a handbrake turn in yours - it won't end well).
Enjoy!
moffspeed said:
Couple of small points. The bonnets on these 900s are very susceptible to stone chip damage as your photos show, in period Saab offered a PVC protection strip to fit along the leading edge of the bonnet - these are still available if you hunt around. Also,on the safety front, these wonderful cars are capable of cruising all day at deceptive speeds - not quite sure about how vintage those tyres are ? It might be worth date checking them (its stamped on the sidewall). Also that unidirectional Riken (sound dodgy but made under licence to Michelin) looks to me (picture 5) to be mounted wrong directional...
Yes there is some grot in the corner of this one, I have been offered a good quality red one for sub 100 but of course it's difficult to spray properly to white. Options to be reviewed.Crumbling hobnob tyres were changed this morning - more to follow on that.
TWPC said:
I remember my parents happiness that the front seats were heated, my joy that there were wipers and squirters on the headlights and Dad explaining to me that the handbrake worked on the front wheels and could be used to control traction in the snow.
I don't think the heaters are working on these, and in any case they need some stitching and car to bring back to their best, but yes Saab excelled in so many tiny joysprings in automotive design - there's a lot to love!TWPC said:
Spinakerr,
What is it like to drive (and what is your frame of reference?)? Does it ride OK, is it noisy, how does it go, is the visibility as spectacular as the shape of the windscreen suggests?
Or are there too many issues with it at the moment (e.g. tyres) to make a fair judgement?
More to follow on this from the owner shortly, especially as four new round things are fitted.What is it like to drive (and what is your frame of reference?)? Does it ride OK, is it noisy, how does it go, is the visibility as spectacular as the shape of the windscreen suggests?
Or are there too many issues with it at the moment (e.g. tyres) to make a fair judgement?
moffspeed said:
Another thought, play about with the numberplate studs and numeral shapes and you have "Bitter V".
Options then are to enter it into the PH naff number plate thread or try your luck on eBay and put it up for thousands of pounds....
I'm going to give it to Strela for his Bitter in return for a raised eyebrow and a random auction lot.Options then are to enter it into the PH naff number plate thread or try your luck on eBay and put it up for thousands of pounds....
JMF894 said:
Good chassis but chocolate gearboxes..............................
Also I'd have a good look at the rear strut mounts and the main earthing point on the front sub-frame. I had to pull everything off and clean every wire end up before re-attaching on my 1985 flatty
It's strange - the owner did some top wiring work, and then some not-so-brilliant wiring work, and then cleaned underbonnet areas but cleaned AROUND the earthing points. Many checks are to be performed.Also I'd have a good look at the rear strut mounts and the main earthing point on the front sub-frame. I had to pull everything off and clean every wire end up before re-attaching on my 1985 flatty
Gearbox seems strong, it has been out and in a few times in its life and there are some hints of whines/mumbling but nothing to warrant attention yet...
Ex Saab Master technician here....
Nice buy. Thats actually a 1985, and one of the first 16v engines that came out in late 1984.
Is the engine rattly at all ?. The oil gallery for the hydraulic tappets is a plastic plug in tube affair. And it can come apart with age.
That one should be 175BHP. 0.75 bar boost.
They can be tweaked quite easily, but the gearbox becomes the weak point very quickly. Shredding gears once you touch on 220bhp.
Nice buy. Thats actually a 1985, and one of the first 16v engines that came out in late 1984.
Is the engine rattly at all ?. The oil gallery for the hydraulic tappets is a plastic plug in tube affair. And it can come apart with age.
That one should be 175BHP. 0.75 bar boost.
They can be tweaked quite easily, but the gearbox becomes the weak point very quickly. Shredding gears once you touch on 220bhp.
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