The Fleet. On June 28, 2008, everyone was home, so a family photo was in order. This photo of six SAABs, including four classic 900s was taken standing on the roof of our home. Scroll down to read about all of these cars.
Maskerad. A nicely kept '93 Classic 900 Convertible. Automatic transmission, 145k miles, and the apple of this girl's eye.
The Red Car, aka Handske. A Talladega Red '90 SPG and current daily driver. Mileage? Unknown. Paint? Just a nice as it looks. The 1990 SPG Special Performance Group was somewhat sportier than the run of the mill SAAB Turbo!. Lowered suspension, stiff ride, 175HP and all the luxury goodies of the day make this a fine car to own and drive. And there is no rust. Upgrades: Factory red APC box. That's it.
Komfort, a '93 9000 CSET in Scarab Green. At around 165,000 miles this is one comfortable highway cruiser. 5 speed gearbox, 200HP and all the luxury goodies you could get at the time. Becky's daily driver.
Fantom, a 1991 900 base car. My daughter bought this well maintained beauty for herself, a fine car for a new driver. Now, it will be passed on to another family member.
A 1997 900 S purchased in March 2008 for college use. At just 98,000 miles this is the youngest car in the family.
Hammare! is an aging 1984 Turbo! with over 320,000 well maintained miles.
This Energizer© Turbo! just keeps on going.
Hammare's Makeovers:
Interior
Front Trim
Hammare vs. the blizzard of '03!
"The Project", a 1986 900S automatic "given" to me with a bad powerplant; luckily, my friend Duane Dostie donated a spare engine. When I was unable to complete the job due to health issues, Duane and Larry West, aka Wedge and Lars, came to the rescue. In a marathon one day session they helped me install the donor engine and get back on the road. My son and daughter both learned to drive in this car. Retired in 2006 after multiple organ failures. R.I.P.
"?", the former George M SPG. A beautiful '86 SPG, my daily driver from 2001 to 2005, sold to make way for The Red SPG.
A tale of acquisition, loss and renewal
Mjollnir, my daily commuter until an untimely event in March, 2000. A 1986 SPG, a 900 Turbo with Special Performance Group. Special performance, in this case, consists of fancy alloy wheels, ground effects bodywork, sport shocks, springs, and all the interior goodies such as leather, power, sunroof, etc. The turbocharged 2.0 liter 4 cylinder is rated at 160hp. Photo: 1997 - Larry West
This 1967 model 97, or Sonett II, was my autocross car. This example is serial number 000198 out of a total of 258 built. Powered by an 841cc three cylinder two stroke, this car came with the peaky GT engine, oil injection and triple side draft carburetors and was rated at 60hp. It had dual exhaust pipes (leading to a single muffler) and front disk brakes. The body was fiberglass. This car topped out at an indicated 102 mph at redline in 4th gear (a four speed on the column!) and saw extensive autocross use in the late 70's. This picture of the car at speed was taken at Rockland County Community College. Owned, loved, and driven for 16 years, it is now in the hands of a Milwaukee collector who PROMISES to restore it.
A 1966 model 96 and my first SAAB, this was my rally car. Powered by an 841cc three cylinder two stroke triple carb engine producing 42hp, this car topped out at around 80 mph with a tailwind. The picture was taken at the start of the 1975 MG Car Club International 1000 Rally. That's yours truly at the driver's door, many years ago.
Ca. 1985, washing the '78 99 EMS, one of my favorite SAABs ever.
Ca. 1986, washing the '83 900 family sedan with the '78 EMS to the right.
The stable in May '84.
1983 900 sedan, 1978 99EMS and 1967 Sonett II #000198.
The '83 sedan remained in the family from new until it went to Valhalla and worked well as a family car, with babies, car seats and a large trunk.
The '78 EMS was a fine, fast and wonderful automobile: one of my favorite cars and one with which I parted way too soon.
The Sonett was sadly neglected during the early family years...