The ’88 Saab 900 for sale on eBay is an SPG, the ultimate in classic Saab turbos.
The model’s iconic status is enshrined in the latest film from Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car. It stars a red 900 turbo, which is a yellow Saab 900 convertible in the short story on which the film is based. Sideways, the 2004 film, also stars a red Saab turbo.
The black 1988 Saab 900 SPG Turbo is offered with a $55,000 Buy-It-Now price.
The car is in much better than average condition and was recently exhibited at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. The seller says:
The car is in amazing condition. Zero rust anywhere. No accidents or paintwork. Drives perfectly.
The car had pride of place at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
Rust is the leading killer of these cars, and rot-free examples are tough to find.
SPG History
Everything about the 900 is quirky.
SPG stands for “Special Performance Group.” It’s like “M” for BMW or “AMG” for Mercedes. The first Saab 900 SPGs (called “Aeros” in Europe) appeared in 1984.
In its first incarnation, the SPG produced 160 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. The list of SPG modifications includes:
- A “red box” automatic performance control
- Stiffer shocks and springs
- Special wheels
- Larger sway bars
This Saab produces 175 horsepower—heady stuff in 1988.
The second generation, including this car, increased the offering to 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. Zero to 60 takes 8.5 seconds, and the top speed is 130 mph.
The value of these Saabs is increased by the fact that they were never numerous. Between 1985 and 1991, Saab sold approximately 7,000 units in the US. Most are gray or, like this one, black.
154,000 Miles and Going Strong
The leather seats in these cars tend to split—especially after high mileage and sun exposure. But these charcoal gray examples look supple and lovely. The only issue is—chronic on these coupes—a sagging headliner.
The SPG looks highly original, except for NOS Aero wheels. The originals come with the car, for sticklers. Saab 900s are generally long-distance travelers, and this one is no exception, having covered 154,371 miles. Such six-digit odometer readers rarely deter Saab enthusiasts. The four-cylinder 16-valve engines are spectacularly long-lived.
It’s a particularly desirable model without the problematic airbags and ABS brakes added later. However, the automatic front seatbelts don’t work.
Nothing Where You Expect It
In the Saab tradition, there’s plenty of quirkiness to go around. For example, the ignition switch is on the lower part of the console. Car Throttle argues that the location “reduces the risk of key-impaling-knee related injuries in a frontal collision.” Also, with the rear seat folded, there’s a cavernous compartment under the handy rear hatch—as generations of musicians have discovered.
The Triumph-derived engine is mounted longitudinally (front to back). Power comes off the flywheel at the front of the engine, reaching the tranny via chain-activated gearing. The gearbox is on the bottom of the engine. Not much is where you expect it to be.
Maintainers can pull out dashboard buttons for replacement. Saab was an early adopter of seat heaters, but they stopped working on many high-mile cars.
Some SPG parts are hard to find. But most of what is on this car is shared with the 900S and 900 Turbo. eBay offers a wide assortment of Saab 900 parts that will fit the SPG. There are no SPG badges because, well, the car didn’t have any. Saab was quirky but discreet.
