1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White
Discussion
My wife has bought this:
2018-06-06_10-11-24 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
I may have married the right woman!
I'm lucky enough to have a partner who is enthusiastic about cars and a keen driver, and has always been supportive of my hobby, even when it leaves us stranded or under a bit of a financial tourniquet.
She has always been interested in the Saab design, mainly the 99 and she has been looking for a non-turbo early car for a while. Her daily was the Nissan Micra K11 rescued from trade-in (documented here and still going strong. Curse you Photobucket, once again) but this just wasn't a long-termer for her.
After seeing a few early 900s from dealers, and basic 99s, the search was put on hold after we were engaged (at Goodwood Revival, naturally) and life took over a bit.
However an old advert being reposted of a white flat-front turbo piqued our interest, especially as it stated he had a 90 (!) and a few other 900s. Best to test as many variants as possible, even if the price was strong! After much research, including a few calls with the garage that had maintained it for 12 years (SS Motors Soton), we headed down the M3 to the coast and met the owner, a long term Saab enthusiast with many cars and a background in engineering. We followed his immaculate 90, which he has had for over 20 years, out to his storage area. When was the last time you saw a 90 on the road? Fantastic!
2018-06-09_11-25-37 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Initial impressions were not good. I was not enthusiastic - it had been 'stored' outside on grass with some other projects, cosmetically it was poor - wheel arches showing signs of corrosion, surface rust, ingrained dirt and ancient, cracked tyres.
20180603_130131 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
20180603_130134 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
20180603_130023 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
20180603_130021 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
However, it was structurally very sound, and the history of work carried out over the past 12 years of ownership was extensive - clearly it was mechanically kept in fine fettle. The owner was passionate and meticulous, and had completed a lot of repairs and sensible upgrades, including relocation of the battery to the boot. After an extensive checklist I had prepared was grudgingly ticked off, sort of, my wife took it for a test drive. Of course, the fuel light was on, so we managed to check the needle, fuel cap and pump all in one go. The car pulled very well in all gears; clutch and various Saab weaknesses again ticked off. It's posture, braking and steering were all excellent, and everything worked.
It was clear the owner wasn't to be moved on price (he was reluctant to sell at all, really, and some family pressure was being exerted), so we took a few hours to speak to some helpful members of the Saab forums and check sold prices. True, it was highly priced for a car with some issues, but the work carried out meant it could be used as intended - a daily driver - while we worked on everything else.
My wife bought it - she liked the owner, the story and loved the car. She was also fully converted to the Turbo and 5 gears, thank the blessed Swedish gods, which I was keen on as it means we can go further afield without tinnitus. We received a car full of spares and the £10 back for the fuel we put in, and the owner waved us off:
20180603_180031 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
I then struggled to keep up for the 60 mile drive home in our faithful Rover 75.
20180603_180415 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
20180603_180403 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Now, after a week of not being able to see or drive it, I have a weekend of excellent weather, a working kettle, a mass of spares, paperwork and cleaning products. Let's see what lurks beneath the surface...
2018-06-06_10-11-24 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrI may have married the right woman!
I'm lucky enough to have a partner who is enthusiastic about cars and a keen driver, and has always been supportive of my hobby, even when it leaves us stranded or under a bit of a financial tourniquet.
She has always been interested in the Saab design, mainly the 99 and she has been looking for a non-turbo early car for a while. Her daily was the Nissan Micra K11 rescued from trade-in (documented here and still going strong. Curse you Photobucket, once again) but this just wasn't a long-termer for her.
After seeing a few early 900s from dealers, and basic 99s, the search was put on hold after we were engaged (at Goodwood Revival, naturally) and life took over a bit.
However an old advert being reposted of a white flat-front turbo piqued our interest, especially as it stated he had a 90 (!) and a few other 900s. Best to test as many variants as possible, even if the price was strong! After much research, including a few calls with the garage that had maintained it for 12 years (SS Motors Soton), we headed down the M3 to the coast and met the owner, a long term Saab enthusiast with many cars and a background in engineering. We followed his immaculate 90, which he has had for over 20 years, out to his storage area. When was the last time you saw a 90 on the road? Fantastic!
2018-06-09_11-25-37 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrInitial impressions were not good. I was not enthusiastic - it had been 'stored' outside on grass with some other projects, cosmetically it was poor - wheel arches showing signs of corrosion, surface rust, ingrained dirt and ancient, cracked tyres.
20180603_130131 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr20180603_130134 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr20180603_130023 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr20180603_130021 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrHowever, it was structurally very sound, and the history of work carried out over the past 12 years of ownership was extensive - clearly it was mechanically kept in fine fettle. The owner was passionate and meticulous, and had completed a lot of repairs and sensible upgrades, including relocation of the battery to the boot. After an extensive checklist I had prepared was grudgingly ticked off, sort of, my wife took it for a test drive. Of course, the fuel light was on, so we managed to check the needle, fuel cap and pump all in one go. The car pulled very well in all gears; clutch and various Saab weaknesses again ticked off. It's posture, braking and steering were all excellent, and everything worked.
It was clear the owner wasn't to be moved on price (he was reluctant to sell at all, really, and some family pressure was being exerted), so we took a few hours to speak to some helpful members of the Saab forums and check sold prices. True, it was highly priced for a car with some issues, but the work carried out meant it could be used as intended - a daily driver - while we worked on everything else.
My wife bought it - she liked the owner, the story and loved the car. She was also fully converted to the Turbo and 5 gears, thank the blessed Swedish gods, which I was keen on as it means we can go further afield without tinnitus. We received a car full of spares and the £10 back for the fuel we put in, and the owner waved us off:
20180603_180031 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrI then struggled to keep up for the 60 mile drive home in our faithful Rover 75.
20180603_180415 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr20180603_180403 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrNow, after a week of not being able to see or drive it, I have a weekend of excellent weather, a working kettle, a mass of spares, paperwork and cleaning products. Let's see what lurks beneath the surface...
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 9th June 12:08
Thank you all! Hopefully she can get another 180k out of it - she's smitten.
Sun shining as expected, I tackled the only issue that had caused concern in the first week - sluggish starting. I checked battery voltage, charging, and cleaned a few grounds, but it still turned over with muted indifference rather than enthusiastic abandon. The battery had been relocated to the boot, and a lot of wiring has been relocated. The voltage to the starter dropped a bit and perhaps the distance was a factor...
20180604_202148 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Despite the existing battery being in spec, it was a tad old and an unknown quantity. It also still had one of its transfer plugs present and signs of a leak:
20180605_204546 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
I measured the tray bought the biggest CCA I could fit from Varta, and 24hours later it turned up. A little electrical compound and it was in quickly. Instant improvement! It now starts with reassuring regularity.
20180608_211206 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
I noted down a few tasks for the weekend - a thorough clean, check of all hoses and clamps, grease/oil/top up everything and if possible start the demoralising stoppage of rust.
Unloading the cavernous boot in the dark, I hadn't had a chance to look though everything, but it is a lot:
20180610_130854 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Wipers for the lights, clutch cylinder, cap, clips, bolts, the rear hatch trim and ever type of grommet and fiddly Saab nugget you could think of. Not bad. Not pictured, but in the glovebox was a NOS bag of badges, engine sensors and spark plugs. Nice.
Then the cleaning began...
Sun shining as expected, I tackled the only issue that had caused concern in the first week - sluggish starting. I checked battery voltage, charging, and cleaned a few grounds, but it still turned over with muted indifference rather than enthusiastic abandon. The battery had been relocated to the boot, and a lot of wiring has been relocated. The voltage to the starter dropped a bit and perhaps the distance was a factor...
20180604_202148 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrDespite the existing battery being in spec, it was a tad old and an unknown quantity. It also still had one of its transfer plugs present and signs of a leak:
20180605_204546 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrI measured the tray bought the biggest CCA I could fit from Varta, and 24hours later it turned up. A little electrical compound and it was in quickly. Instant improvement! It now starts with reassuring regularity.
20180608_211206 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrI noted down a few tasks for the weekend - a thorough clean, check of all hoses and clamps, grease/oil/top up everything and if possible start the demoralising stoppage of rust.
Unloading the cavernous boot in the dark, I hadn't had a chance to look though everything, but it is a lot:
20180610_130854 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrWipers for the lights, clutch cylinder, cap, clips, bolts, the rear hatch trim and ever type of grommet and fiddly Saab nugget you could think of. Not bad. Not pictured, but in the glovebox was a NOS bag of badges, engine sensors and spark plugs. Nice.
Then the cleaning began...
Leins said:
Lovely OP, do like a nice 900, especially a pre-87. Enjoy, and keep us updated
She was adamant if it wasn't a 99 or 90, it could only be a flat front. In white or green. I've ordered black polo necks and rimless glasses to complete the architect look.W00DY said:
That is stunning! I love the early 900s, such wonderful looking machines.
It's exceedingly handsome. Bjorn Envall did well to pen a lasting eye-imprint, and it's even more distinctive in 2018, where all the blobfridges seem to have very well designed headlamps...and that's it. Especially cars owned by normal folk for daily duties.Buff Mchugelarge said:
Not sure what I'm more envious of, the Saab or having a wife who actually supports an interested in cars?!
She's a wonder - when not found researching exactly how long the engine should idle at the end of journey to let the turbo cool down, she is looking for replacement parts on our (now very long) list. The weekend amounted to a deep clean, documentation of foibles, prioritisation of parts to order and a check of...everything that could go wrong.
Oh! Firstly I actually took it for a drive to get breakfast, and parked next to another iconic design in white:
20180609_093935Before photos are...not pretty. 200 miles since purchase around London with the trees dropping sticky nastiness, neighbours completing building work with Vesuvian dust clouds made the Saab a very sorry sight.
Bonnet (complete with oversprayed badge, a serious offence in my book):
20180609_121016Roof:
20180609_121053Snails:
20180609_121006Though actually we are suffering an epidemic of gastropods so I believe these were added this week on our driveway. I'm aiming to train them to display messages for visitors via carefully flavoured trails.
Rear hatch gunge:
20180609_121159The pressure washer was deployed carefully, checking seals and blasting encrusted gunk off. You can imagine the detritus I was wading through. Snow foam experimented with to loosen the ingrained dirt:
20180609_130407Another pressure wash, and... well let's just say a clay bar was required. For hours. Insects, rubber, marks of every kind and rust particles (nearby grinding or sanding settling on the paint?) were expunged.
I was left with a car that now clearly had a mismatched/incorrectly painted roof and bonnet, and had received numerous bits of paint and rot-stoppage elsewhere. Hmm. You can see how flat some of the paint was here on the bonnet, and yes almost all the specks left are stone chips:
20180609_134050I was tired of cleaning so took a break with some more interesting items. Firstly, all fluids were spot-on, the oil service history in particular likely key to it's high mileage after rebuild:
20180610_125812In the spares stack was the inner hatch trim, the owner told us it was removed when repairing some hatch items and fitting the third brake light.
The wife and I tracked down all the correct clips and receivers from the parts haul and it went back without an issue. One item but it helps with housespace!
20180610_131403
20180610_132700I then uncovered an old bottle of T-Cut and set about the car with a quart of elbow grease. This was backbreaking as the bonnet and roof needed several passes and they're a fair old reach to the centre! Eventually I grimaced and admitted it would never get any better, so applied a few passes of Super Resin Polish. Wax may follow at some point, when mental faculties have returned and after we decide where paint sits in the schedule!
20180610_190541
20180610_190554
20180610_190644
20180610_191341I also found some nasty back-to-black spray just to attempt the trim - upper grill here has been sprayed, lower hasn't:
20180610_190912Phew. I then hoovered the interior and went to have a lie down in a darkened room. I am definitely buying, and learning how to use, a rotary polisher next time!
Edited by Spinakerr on Thursday 14th June 23:21
Nice buy! One of the first 16v turbos if memory serves.
I couldn't swear to it but it looks to have had the lower body trim removed and the holes filled, also the tailgate numberplate recess should have a sort of vinyl covering on it. This may have been different on early cars though...
I always preferred the slope fronts but the flat front look has aged well I think.
PS - they all have that sort of lazy starter even with a good battery!
I couldn't swear to it but it looks to have had the lower body trim removed and the holes filled, also the tailgate numberplate recess should have a sort of vinyl covering on it. This may have been different on early cars though...
I always preferred the slope fronts but the flat front look has aged well I think.
PS - they all have that sort of lazy starter even with a good battery!
Pericoloso said:
Not one of the first 16Vs,that was 1984 A plate.
Was 1986 the first year for water cooled turbocharger ?
The later cars had much longer lived turbos,early cars got smoky well before 100K.
That might have been due to the synthetic oil specced later on.
I'm aware that they came out on an A-reg but I stand by it being an early 16v - they were released in 1984, B-reg began in August 84...Was 1986 the first year for water cooled turbocharger ?
The later cars had much longer lived turbos,early cars got smoky well before 100K.
That might have been due to the synthetic oil specced later on.
I think the changeover to water cooled turbos was later, certainly the change from Garrett T-something to Mitsubishi TE05 was later. More driveable day to day but you lose a bit of the drama! Letting the old turbos warm up/cool down makes them live longer.
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