RE: Open Season: The Saab Convertible Story

RE: Open Season: The Saab Convertible Story

Thursday 6th January 2011

Open Season: The Saab Convertible Story

We celebrate the glorious history of a PH Open Season hero


In the beginning - the very first 900 Convertible prototype
In the beginning - the very first 900 Convertible prototype

Before 1983, associating a Scandinavian car company with soft-top motoring was a little bit like having a smooth-running railway network in the UK - a rather unusual state of affairs.


But at the Frankfurt motor show in September of that year Saab revealed a prototype soft-top 900 so secret that it had been disguised while under wraps on the stand as an estate by the cheeky insertion of a plastic block on the bootlid.

When the wraps came off, the reaction from the waiting press - and showgoing public - was so positive Saab couldn't help but put it into production.

That finally happened in 1986, and ever since then the four-seat Scandinavian has proved an enduringly popular alternative to more mainstream convertibles - and particularly for those who want something that isn't made by Mercedes, BMW or Audi.


And for a while at least the Saab convertible became the soft-top to have - at least if you couldn't afford a 911 or needed more than two seats. So we couldn't let the PH Open Season go by without investigating the history of such a significant symbol of modern top-down motoring.

In The Beginning:
As we've already mentioned, the Saab 900 convertible first basked in the public spotlight at the 1983 Frankfurt motor show, but its journey there was - appropriately for Saab - rather unconventional.


It started in 1981 when Saab-Scania's US boss, Robert J Sinclair, spotted what he felt was a huge gap in the market for a medium-sized four-seat convertible, a market that US car makers (and, for that matter, many other car makers around the world) had almost completely abandoned for fear of hysterically stringent safety regulations.

A team of Swedish engineers, with the soft-top help of the American Sunroof Company, duly turned Sinclair's idea into a prototype with a rumoured development budget of just $30,000.

The idea of a sun-seeking soft-top being built in a land of snow and ice proved to be a captivating idea and, after the positively white-hot reaction to the show car in the autumn of 1983, Saab management gave the go-ahead for production in the spring of 1984, and the first cars were ready in early 1986.


The production car proved the motor show hype right. Most of the first 400 cars - destined for the US - were sold before they hit the ground and when the car went on general sale in 1987 Valmet, the Finnish coachbuilder tasked with production of the 900 Convertible, couldn't keep up with the unexpectedly high demand. A 12-month waiting list initially developed before Valmet expanded its production facilities.

Saab had planned on building no more than 2000 cars a year, but by the time production ended in 1993 49,000 had been produced, well over three-and-a-half times the original planned build rate.


Unlike many of its competitors, all variants of the Saab Convertible were equipped with a powered roof as standard, as well as leather upholstery. And the Convertible always had a glass rear screen fitted, not a plastic substitute prone to cracking and fogging. It was even electrically heated to quickly defrost in sub-zero temperatures. The exceptional power of the car's heater also encouraged the dropping of the roof even in winter (which we most definitely approve of).

During its seven-year run, the 900 Convertible was barely changed, aside from a naturally aspirated motor joining the original 175bhp turbo model, and a slant-nose restyle early in its life.

A New Era:


The second generation of 900 Convertible (which was later renamed the 9-3) was even more of a commercial success than the first, with 140,500 examples finding their way onto the world's roads between 1994 and 2002.

But all was not necessarily rosy in Saab world. The so-called 'New Generation' Saab Convertible did feature some improvements, notably a flush-fitting 'Tonneau' cover for the soft-top and hydraulic as opposed to electronic hood operation, Saab was now under the stewardship of General Motors and the use of Opel/Vauxhall Vectra underpinnings alienated some hardcore fans, who felt it went against Saab's historical ethos of innovation.

...Which brings us up to date (almost):


The third iteration of the four-seat Saab Convertible formula has been around since 2005. Although its Saab genetics have been further diluted - it still shares its undercrackers with the last Vauxhall Vectra, and the venerable Saab slant four engine was dropped in favour of GM-sourced Ecotec motors - the visual link with the first car is clear. It is also still determinedly a front-wheel drive, turbocharged affair.

The current generation is slated for the axe in 2012, when a new 9-3 comes on stream.




Author
Discussion

CliveM

Original Poster:

525 posts

184 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Great article (proof read aside... smile

Sad to see the journey to the last iteration - such a design mess IMO.
Despite not being very PH, I'd always thought I'd like to own one for a while. If you're going to have a convertible you may as well prioritise the heater strength over ride dynamics....

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

162 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
The SAAB museum in Trollhatten has the "other" prototype ,

which was based on a hatchback ,they picked the right one

for production ,i will go and find the pic i have type

Turbobanana

6,123 posts

200 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Agree with CliveM's comment about proof-reading...

But seriously, as the owner for 10 years of an original 900 T16S Monte Carlo Convertible, I feel confident in adding a few other comments:

Original is best in driving dynamics, due to Audi-like longitudinal engine positioning and rear suspension location which allows very predictable handling even with (in many cases now) over 200bhp going through the front wheels. Many people don't know these are FWD and are surprised when told.

Turbo the size of Plymouth induces plenty of lag, but you drive around it.

Not sure about your hydraulic roof comments: the Classic (as people have taken to calling it) has an electric motor which operates a hydraulic pump which you can switch out of operation if it fails. You can then raise / lower the hood manually smile

They don't all have leather: some of the lower-spec, LPT or non-turbo cars have velour.

It was Britain's best-selling convertible for many years, and the UK was the largest market outside the US.

Despite driving mine year-round I hardly ever have the heater on. The heated seats come on automatically and that's usually enough.

Apparently (never had to try it, luckily...), the windscreen frame is reinforced to such an extent that it will support the weight of a rolled car, thus alleviating the need for an ugly roll hoop or Targa Top. The 'screen is also set at a shallower angle than the tin tops.

Finally, boxedin , as I now work in the Rail Industry, I can assure you that we're working to make it better. Sorry.

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

162 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Here it is ............hopefully



parked next to a production version smile

John.Taylor

55 posts

179 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Last spring I noticed that 9-3 convertibles we incredibly cheap and looked into one as a third car for occasional summer outings, but typing 'saab bulkhead' into Google instantly put me off.

pcn1

1,209 posts

218 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
After owning a classic Saab 900 tin top and a 9000 I really wanted the classic 900 convertible. Trouble was a last of line fully spec car's (leather + A/C) with an auto box and reasonable mileage, sellers where asking over £7k. I ended up going over to the "dark side" and getting a Final Edition Audi 2.8 cab auto with all the toys for just over half that.
Im still a big Saab fan of the older models so maybe one day.......driving

anything fast

983 posts

163 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
I really like the old 1980's cabrio, IMO a really handsome shape and a proper SAAB. The new ones i'm afraid have no character or charm like the olders cars. Also with the GM dustbin raided the modern cars do not offer the same bulletproof motoring of old. In the 80' SAAB made some very nice different cars like the 900 (esp 900 Turbo) and anyone remember the 9000 Caarlson? Todays cars are just GM products with a more upmarket badge for people who secretly hanker after a german but do not have the budget!

TheOrangePeril

778 posts

179 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
"The idea of a sun-seeking soft-top being built in a land proved to be a captivating idea"

Couple of words missing chaps? wink

Great article though, does anyone know if they made an open top Sonnet (production)?

geoffracing

617 posts

174 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all

Doesn't this car look completely wrong in proportions!
Perhaps the best cars in the world, but because of their hideous designs, not for me, sorry.

MX7

7,902 posts

173 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Without doubt, the worst handling car I have ever driven. Great got a pose though.

Saabstudent

519 posts

213 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
TheOrangePeril said:
"The idea of a sun-seeking soft-top being built in a land proved to be a captivating idea"

Couple of words missing chaps? wink

Great article though, does anyone know if they made an open top Sonnet (production)?
Original Sonnet (1) was a roadster with no roof. Only six were originally made, though i think some rich bloke recreated the green one so there are now seven...

Pic

Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
TheOrangePeril said:
"The idea of a sun-seeking soft-top being built in a land proved to be a captivating idea"

Couple of words missing chaps? wink

Great article though, does anyone know if they made an open top Sonnet (production)?
There were... there aren't anymore smile

cookie1600

2,087 posts

160 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Loving them all - roll on 2012 and my next Trollhättan 'vert!

GR4

442 posts

251 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
My wife's got a 9-3. By no stretch of the imagination a sports car, but quite well appointed convertible transport for very reasonable money. I'm happy to be corrected, but understood the 'bulkhead issue' not to be a massive deal and not even an MOT failure when it happens. I was told it is spot welds letting go, not metal fatigue, and a cheap fix when and if it happens. The other issue to be aware of on the second generation cars with 2.0 petrol engines, is clogged up sump strainers which has led to quite a few engine failures. Worth having the sump dropped and cleaned out if it's not been done.

DCLane

59 posts

182 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
They're good cars - I've got a 3rd generation Aero which does what it's supposed to. It's not a sports car, but has decent room for 4, looks good and with good power/handling.

Does it matter that it's based on a Vectra? Possibly, but it's better value than other offerings imho.

Vintageseekers

107 posts

184 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
MX7 said:
Without doubt, the worst handling car I have ever driven. Great got a pose though.
I think the handling is OK, remembering that it's a very heavy, mostly underpowered front wheel drive - without doubt the Torque steer was something to behold. but the early Saabs were wonderful, distinctive, competitive in rallies and most of all original, not many marques can say that today.

anything fast

983 posts

163 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
MX7 said:
Without doubt, the worst handling car I have ever driven. Great got a pose though.
You must have driven only good cars then. I have driven an old Turbo 900 and i thought the handling was not awful but not really what i expect from a sporty car, but there are far far worse handling cars out there like old cavaliers, old astras, nissan micras, most american slushmobiles from the 80's to name just a few smile

billzeebub

3,862 posts

198 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
I have owned several BMW E36 V6 convertibles..and an E46..without doubt a great drive in the summer months, If you have two cars then, assuming you can live with the image, there is nothing better on the market...however if you only have funds for one vehicle and intend to use it through the winter months then nothing else has the all round Saab package. Built originally by Scandanavians to withstand the very worst of their winter weather the cars were totally over engineered, and this shows now with the amount of examples still on the road and in very good fettle.

I have owned several classic 900 convertibles, and I can honestly say Ive never had anything break and never had to make use of a breakdown service...despite all of them having been well past the 100,000 mile mark. What other car can you say that about? For all-round all-season ability nothing beats them..the quintessential four seat four season convertible...even the GM models have their merits for safety and winter use.

The classic feels like a bespoke car..almost 'bentleyesque' when you buy a top spec Turbo 'Aero 16S' version with the wood dash, leather interior and air conditioning. Almost like a Landrover/Rangerover/Golf/Mini in that respect...A classless car that when you see one, even though now the youngest examples are over 15 years old, it could be anyone driving..from a movie star to a high court judge..there are still a lot around in the poshest lanes of London town

Also there are many expert garages out there who will help you treasure the car at very reasonable rates..the number of times Ive been given discount and/or free parts just for being enthusiastic and owning a classic 900..tintop or convertible!. The owners club is also a very active and hepful source of information, with lots of meets and activities throughout the year.

Anyone who doesn't rate these cool cabrios hasn't owned one...lets hope Koeoonnnigeegsssigeeeeeeg sort a vehicle with such a breadth of talent in the near future

Edited by billzeebub on Thursday 6th January 17:49


Edited by billzeebub on Thursday 6th January 17:52


Edited by billzeebub on Thursday 6th January 17:53

smellypoo

45 posts

158 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
billzeebub]I have owned several BMW E36 V6 convertibles.. said:
V6? are you sure, thought they were straight-sixes?

NiceCupOfTea

25,277 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
My dad had an LPT classic 900 vert a few years back. Engine suited it parfectly IMHO, lots of body flex (no more than other 80s convertibles though) - fantastic cruiser and always got admiring looks.