Saab Story
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Though GM’s 1962 Corvair Monza Spyder and Olds Jetfire introduced turbocharging to American drivers, this 1985 four-door 900 Turbo helped position Saab (not Buick) as the world’s leading maker of turbocharged cars in the early 1980’s. And what made clutch replacement jobs so easy in the Saab 900 series? Steve explains it all.
Dang, I love these. If there is anyone who knows more about cars and trucks than Steve, They're probably liars. This guy KNOWS it all!!!!!!
I always thought SAABs were incredible, strong and beautiful cars. It makes me sad to think they are no longer made. That almost 40 year old car looks good enough to compete stylistically with anything made today.
The problem was that they never made a profit on any car they ever sold, ever, in their entire existence. GM hastened their death as they do with everything they touch. GM is such a immoral trash company.
IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK...
@@harryballsacky Admittedly, this is true.
I've never seen more brand loyalty than with Saab owners. We all know at least one person who never drove anything but a Saab. It really is a shame the brand is no longer.
that saab is a gem! it looks really clean for its age and location. i hope someone snags it up
Finally something that really tugs at the heartstrings. Thanks for showcasing this gem Steve!
Paused less than a minute in....
Saab started the whole "turbo" craze of the 80's. If you're of that generation you'll remember "Turbo" being stuck on everything from vacuums to sunglasses. You can thank Saab for that😉
▪︎EDIT▪︎
Just realized a printer at work is a "Turbo"😂
I think there was even a cologne
@@lilpoindexter And an "American Gladiator"
When I vacationed in South Dakota, I visited a Saab museum out in Sturgis. They have a bunch of different Saab models on display. It was pretty neat.
The first 16 Valve turbo ever! The 16 valve start in late 1983 here in Germany! Love to drive my 84 16valve Manuel Flat out on the Autobahn at GPS speed 139 mph! The gearing is long on non cat. Models
now i want one
How’s your reverse? My black 84 2 door threw it
Saabs are great cars, really engineered well for winter roads and high speed stability! A car company that prioritized safety of the driver and occupants! Plus, they looked cool as hell! Especially the 99!
A local doctor owned a turbo Saab of some kind back in the late 80s. I'm not sure what model it was but, it's the only Saab I've seen locally before or since. Either way, he was one of the best doctors in the area and saved my sons life at birth after my wifes/sons original doctor flaked out. Even though he had odd taste in vehicles, he was a pretty smart guy and I'm forever grateful to him!
Man that brings back memories of my youth. My mom had a 900. Started out as a n/a 900 and local Saab garage rebuilt it into a 900 turbo. So there was no “turbo” badges on it. I would take that thing out to the local cruising strip and mess with cars that where a lot faster. And keep up with them or blow there doors off.
nice trick with the hood, i need to try that on my own
I had Saab 900 5 speed. I drove it from WV to CA. It was a blast to drive. Cool car.
Drove my 85 Turbo nearly 400m miles-had a 70 mile round trip to work..tires, oil, some spendy (at the time service intervals). Sold the car to a guy, who double that with a motor rebuild. In the end this junk yard car looks better than my old girl did at the end. Love it. Saab should be brought back-with the safety history, add the e-gen science, and they'd fly off the lot! Great report, love the channel Steve....
I had a 1985 SAAB 900 non-turbo, it was painfully slow, great in the New England winters with heated seats. It was a great car, it would cruise at 70 mph all day long, however it took all day to get to 70!
Ah, a downshift and a full throttle. Not the fault of the car. WE could have bought them with a turbo.......
Years ago my uncle had Saab cars, he swore by the solid dependability of the car. I sure miss those days.
These were pretty common on the road in W. Mass in the 80s and 90s, it wasn't until I moved away that I realized these cars weren't nearly as popular in the rest of the US. Actually were pretty nice driving cars, and pretty good performance for the time.
Hate to correct you Steve but SAAB is still in the aircraft industry to this day. They built fighters and commercial aircraft.
Steve, you have become quite the automotive historian - a true national treasure. I believe I've seen you at auto auctions on tv (Barrett-Jackson?). Thanks for having a youtube channel and for sharing your vast knowledge!
Steve's a legend
They were so popular in New England during the 80-90’s.
I remember a family friend was a mechanic at a Saab dealership back in the eighties. I got to ride in the Turbo models a couple of times. To a kid, they felt as exotic as a Porsche. The Turbo 5 speed was a quick car for its day.
Theres a black saab cabriolet in the background as well 🙂 They wouldn't last 10 minutes in a uk scrapyard, somebody would buy them up and put them back on the road 👍
You noticed that as well, this guy does know the working of Saab but i am utterly disgusted with the conditions of both those cars, he should sell them to someone who gives a shit
I'm working on a mini-doc about the Saab Sonett. Made me a Saab fan!! There are some cool features in late model Saabs.
Just wanna say thanks to GM for letting saab grow as a company!
@That V8 Life saab doesn't exist so they can't make anything bro
900's ran thru 1994 as convertibles. I have a 93 900 turbo vert, fun little car! Thanks for taking the time with a Saab.
A Saab with 4 valves, must be a two stroke variant.
I owned two Saabs in the late 70's, a 78 99 and a 79 EMS both were great cars, wish i still had them.
When I was a young teen, around 1977. My friend and I were caught in a bad snowstorm, so we took refuge in a Saab dealership. When we looked at the cars, we were amazed that the motors were so small, but we also noticed the high milage on the window sticker.
SAAB actually made a fairly good car and looked after in the manner Euro cars of the time demanded they were great fun as a daily, I've had 2 SAABs both turbo and the thing that hooked me was the Aviation styling and layout inside especially in the Pilot seat :-)
Sadly Australian climates are not nice to SAABs of the era despite my intercooler upgrades and lower temp thermostat my first 900 became a part car for my 2nd 900 until I went to The Other Swede Turbo in RWD and later FWD offerings but I still miss and remember with fondness the SAAB Drivers ergonomics and layout.
Awesome fun things.
The door extension is so you don't get mud and such on your pants or whatever you're wearing hence the gasket as well.
I rescued that very same car from shawno's junk yard with 385,000 , swapped out a turbo and it had plenty of life left and it was a quick car. Unfortunately the undercarriage had seen to many capeann winters, got a few good years out of her though. I loved the turbo spooling up! Great video thanks
My Dad was in the Army stationed in Germany during the late 1950's. He said that there were turbo charged cars and trucks that were built in the 1940's for the war...and they still worked. So if you think that American car manufacturers don't design their parts to ware out, you are not functioning on all cylinders. He said the mechanics in the Army were amazed by the turbos and their durability. Never get any American turbo to last 1/4 that long.
My parents both had saabs mom had a crayola crayon green 99 gl and my father had a 86 900s 16 valve great cars safe cars too! Somebody please save it!
I love Saabs my favorite is the 78 99 EMS 2dr. BTW Saabs with hatchbacks were called 3 dr and 5dr depending on how many side doors they have. Most turbos were 3 dr cars . Another interesting thing that wasn't mentioned in this video is that the engine and transmission were stacked one on top of the other. In fact the transmission was the oilpan on 99s and 900s. This engine was also used in the triumph tr 7.
Thank you I always stress when people ask why I drive a saab. Saab was the first mass produced turbo car, also heated seats and also I do believe 1st vented cooled seat in 1997 yes most new cars boat those now 2020’s I always loved automotive stuff but saab bite me I have a 2 stroke 3 cylinder saab and a modern 2004 saab 9-5 aero with the 2.3 T manual and always fun! Great find thanks Steve and hoping for a good recovery and return to the JUNKYARD CRAWL thank you for all you do!
The Saab 900 turbo convertible is 1 of my favorite and I think 1 of the best looking cars ever made.It was also 1 if the best handling cars.
Someone in my area had Saab wagon, lowered with lowrider metal flake paint!
My dad had a saab hatchback in the 70s, it had a unique sound in a super practical cargo area & a flat floor.
He should look at a Acura Vigor, had a Honda label on the engine, longitudinal 5 cylinder FWD, the radio had DSP echo effects.
I hope aftermarket electric drive kits will bring some of these hard to maintain oddballs back to life someday.
Acura is made by Honda
@@purpurahaze9179 of course, but they don't put the Honda label on anything in an Acura anymore, they wanted it to look like a different more prestigious company
I've always wanted a convertible turbo Saab. Good job Steve,and shout out to Shane for some great camera work!
Growing up here in San Diego my friend Ian Anderson his parents owned this Vehicle this was kool when they picked up from school. 😎👍I bet back then going to a mechanic shop they we’re probably lost or confused working on them.
I had an almost new 900 Turbo 5spd to use for two weeks back around 1990, and I must say it was a blast to drive !! One thing that I really liked was a feature that turned off the majority of the gauges and lights in the cluster for night driving. I forgot what it was called , but I remember saying that I wished other manufacturers would do the same ... Another awesome video Steve !!
Saab was really getting in touch with their Aviation roots with that feature. Pilots darken the instruments for better dark adaptation for flying at night.
Night panel 👌
Ive never seen a Saab in such good condition, let alone in a junkyard and with a red interior.
but it's a 4 dr.
@@Scalihoo I like 4 doors.
Steve I believe you mean this engine is a 16 valve with the out going model having 8
Yea, that didn't make sense to me either. It's either got one intake and exhaust valve per cylinder or two.
Excellent video and historical summary of the 900 Turbo. I had an '83 back in '85 and loved it even with a few Saab (sob) stories. I have an '07 9-3 2.0t ragtop now that I still enjoy even if it is "GM'ified."
Thanks, you really know your stuff on these cars!
I was a detailer and a Saab dealership in the mid to late 80's this brings back some great memories.....thanks 😊
Dude, you are DA MAN.... Great info on a non-Mopar vehicle. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing what Steve os finding to talk about at this junk yard!
Man that car still in restorable shape! I always had a soft spot for those early 80s Saabs! Until GM took over and screwed the whole brand! She’s definitely a beautiful car! Should be saved! Thanks for sharing this video and history Steve!👌😎👍by the way Steve! You should do another segment on the other Saab convertible behind you! That one was another gem from Saab!
Thanks Steve. I sold many new and used ones over the years. Fortunate to be the #1 salesman in Saab’s Northwest district ( WA, OR, ID, MT and Alaska) in 1996. One small correction: the first Saab 99 Turbo was introduced in’77, but as a ‘78 model. I owned one. I miss it.
Most of thee people that bought SAABs back in the day were hipsters and college professors that reveled at doing things differently just for the sake of being different. A friend of mine that was a musician had a turbo coupe along with his Westphalia van. Of course just being different didn't save the company in the long run.
I was watching a story on Saabs and they said the majority of people that bought them were architects.
If this car was found in a Bernadston wrecking yard highly likely it was once owned by a college professor. It seemed like half the faculty lots at all the colleges in that area (and there's a bunch) were full of 'em back in the 80s and 90s.
Thanks Steve! I am a car guy and appreciate the content you make, but above all I am a Saab guy and approve this video.
That one looks good to be sitting in a tree row at a boneyard. Expensive to repair though. Likely too many things needing repaired or replaced. It's too good to be carried to the shredders for sure.
Some one liked that one,181k on the Odometer and a black convertable wes behind the Silver one in the trees
I doubt it has any floor or subframe left
They're in Massachusetts so probably rust.
As a kid in the 80’s I had a strange attraction to those Saabs.
I have a fun tidbit for you. Per Gilbrand was the guy that built the first Saab Turbo engine.
He was a next house neighbor in Sweden. He's son Peter and I were best friends.
And I remember when I was around 13-15 years old I had a Shakespeare Caribbean sports boat with a 460cc 650hp V8 in it. And Peter's dad dumped a Saab Turbo engine in a small catamaran race boat seating only one person.
And he was rigged with all safety stuff. Helmet, protection suit, kill switch, you name it.
He left the harbor first. Full speed. And the I left with 4 people onboard. We had bathing suits on only.
We were just having a good time on the water. And we zapped by him like no tomorrow. He seemed to be on stand still.
And afterwards he came knocking on hour door yelling at my dad we were driving a boat like that.
Dad said it was ok as we grow up driving fast boats.
But the truth is he was butthurt a crew of teenagers smoked him big time. LOL!
Good times good times:)
Hello DaKingaKings, great story about spanking the "Father of Saab Turbo" in your V8 boat. I love all things automotive but it's tough to beat a V8!!! I love the burly sound of a V8, no inline 4, V6 or V10 can come close. And V12's are neat but still have that "UPS Truck on acid" sound at full throttle. I'll take a V8 too! Thanks for writing, Steve Magnante
@@SteveMagnante Thanks for replying.
Anyways, boys will always be boys. Only the toys are changing.
Now I have a 47ft Fountain Lightning with 3 supercharged big blocks in total 6k+ HP.
I love cars more though. I have a huge car collection in CA. I have stacking cars since I was 14 years old. I have a lot of “the real” muscle cars from the 60’s. V8s are the best.
Anyway, love your channel. I don’t miss any of your videos.
Cheers
Had a 99 ,was a volvo turbo brick man back then (still am but theres none around) but the saabs were unique well built cars ,wasnt afraid to roll one as much as a brick ,lol
Ooh great car.
My dad had an 84 900 turbo with all the goodies like leather and rear window louvers and the little side vent covers.
So 80s ❤️
Pretty sure his 84 was an 8v, the 16v came in 85 or 86
Saab did offer those louvers at the dealer ,the ones on my dad's old car had the words SAAB cut into the sides
As a kid, I always thought these were just an ugly, dorky FWD road appliance. Now that I’ve grown to appreciate the engineering of these cars, I find that they, in fact, aren’t really ugly after all. It’s sad that GM killed it off.
Areed, they had their own look,, like a Citroen had its own look
My girlfriend had a convertible one back in the day, I called it Saab story also!
It had over 200k and lots of little problems.
Kind of a fun, quirky car. The ignition switch hated soda... I can tell you that much!
my sporting uncle had a Sonnett. Twas fun to ride in.
I love my 1990 c900 sedan. It's not turbo but i get a lot of comments on it, and I really enjoy driving it. THis one looks like it could drive out of there
Hey Steve, another great video! These were fantastic cars and went like a scalded cat.They were very tough as well and people got huge mileage out of them. To put the clutch change into perspective I was a factory trained tech on these in the 1980's and on the naturally aspirated ones you could change a clutch in about 15 minutes if you were hustling(great job on flat rate), the turbos were a bit longer but still pretty easy. Cheers!
Oh, those Saab’s were often in the news here, the Coquihalla highway was a challenge they often failed. The highway is a very long continuous climb, add in a hot summer day, and you have everything you need for a Chernobyl re-enactment. Drivers would set the cruise control, crank up the A/C, in a car likely loaded with all the kids and lots of gear, maybe a roof rack, all working against you. Scorch marks all over the highway, the only thing missing were the Russian tanks.
This was great, Steve! Lots of really interesting insights. I've had a couple Saabs over the years and I miss them all. The "Night" mode for the gauge/dash lights still remains one of my favorites of their features. I'm surprised this particular example was in a junkyard, doesn't look to bad in terms of rust. Cheers from Chicago!
The SAAB was almost the same price as my 85 AMC Eagle wagon @$15k. Two things come to mind from the 80's, SAAB 99's splitting windshields and turbo's cooking their bearings from heat soak thereby wiping out turbo bearings on a regular basis. The aftermarket responded with pressurized oil accumulators which would keep the turbo bearings supplied with fresh oil for a period of time while the turbo cooled after the engine was turned off. Steve is 100% correct about SAABs design for safety. I recall seeing a magazine article with photo about a SAAB rolling 500"down a mountainside during a rally race and the driver walked out under his own power. I can't think of another car that would give a person that kind of protection.
Hello Ed Frawley, remember the Chrysler Airflow publicity stunt of 1934 when an Airflow was taped (actually it was a film motion picture camera) tumbling down a 75 foot cliff? The car lands on its wheels (I wonder how many takes that required?) and "drives away". But a close look reveals a few "splices" in the moving picture action - probably to remedy the fact the car was more damaged than it seemed. Anyhoo, I'm with you on how a modern Saab can take a roll over and remain intact enough for the driver to emerge unhurt. If you get a chance, Google "1934 Chrysler Airflow cliff-fall publicity movie" for a fun few minutes! Thanks again for watching and writing, Steve Magnante
Every mechanic in my shop would drain the transmission fluid and overfill the oil due to the backwards engine configuration the first time they saw one of these. Good luck changing those drive belts!
Had an 80 no turbo 900. Was a fun little car until I tried to take a 35 mph cloverleaf at 65mph. The oldest Saab dealer west of the Mississippi is still in business maintaining and selling cars.
Wow, that dealer still In business?
@@justas525 Just had a heart attack a couple weeks ago but he's still on his feet.
nice cars great in winter weather but nightmares to own
Too bad I don't have any money, I would love to save that Saab ,it looks like it is in really good condition and finding a turbo automatic 4dr sedan is very rare car.
Hello Elizabeth Cherry, agreed, I was about 20 when these Saab 900's were all over the roads of Massachusetts as new cars in 1985. Four door models were typically not Turbos so yes, this 4-door Turbo sedan is an oddity. I wasn't able to find production numbers but would imagine perhaps 20-percent of Turbo output was 4-doors with the majority being 2-door hatchbacks and cabriolets. Speaking of Saab Turbo Cabriolets.....there's one lurking in the background behind the featured 4-door. Could a video on that one (a 5-speed too!) be far away? Thanks for watching, Steve Magnante
My friend had an '88 2 door hatch turbo, neat car! I'm kind of glad they stopped building SAAB's when they were still cool and weird. I hate to think what they would be today.
I had a 1980 2 door turbo it was either 9.5-1 compression or 10-1 compression. Great car.
Man as young mechanic coming up fresh from high school I did my share of ignition switches and clutches on these cars and I hated them. lol but now as a 50 year old tech I look back and miss these cars from the 80s and 90s
Smooth job on opening the hood “Fonzie”
Ayyyyyy....
I had a few old 900s. One automatic. 3spd. It could barely eke out 25mpg screaming at 3500rpm or so on the highway.
Very neat Saab and presentation. Sad to see them gone after 2011
Buick was heavily invested in developing turbo as well, having sold 120,000 carbureted 3.8 v6 turbo cars 1977-1983. All pre-Grand National
You know that's a good point. In my research for this video I encountered a Saab press release claiming to be "the worlds leader in turbo car production with over 100,000 sold". Agreed, Buick V6 Turbo cars were also very popular in this era. If the "120,000 sold 1977 -1983" assumption is correct, then Saab has some 'splainin' to do! Maybe Saab was claiming Turbo FOUR engine leadership? Thanks for writing, Steve Magnante.
@@SteveMagnante Honestly, I am a big fan of the turbo Saabs and turbo Buicks. My first car was a t-type Regal and my second car was a turbo 900. Loving your videos btw
A nice sorted saab has proven to bring a good amount on the Bring A Trailer and similar auction sights.
hey man love the video keep them coming. u forgot to mention the origin of the engine. SAAB only developed it it's a ruts (TRIUMPH )engine that SAAB but because it was chep and it was drupt bay britash Leyland
Thankyou Stevie boy!
I remember as a kid that TURBO badge on the side of those SAABs was the ultimate is automotive coolness and mystique. I once heard a friend of a friend coo that she wanted a SAAB so bad she could taste it.
Great to know who to go to when I need work on my 🚙 😀
I had a 90 900s, 5 speed non turbo, was a really cool and fun car, but unfortunately the reverse gear was broken so I didn't keep it long. Awesome cars, would buy another.
Great car for a curiosity channel, now it's kinda cool ,didn't care for them when they were common
Thanks for the new video! I enjoy each one.
Would be awesome if Steve restored that Saab
Always wished my dad owned a wreckers. Mike Hastings musta had a ball, Dad can stress while i just build beasts in my backyard.Being rich isn't always about cash.
Not going to show the hood mechanism? That was the best part.
..that is cool ..don't see louvers at all these days ..wish it was in New Zealand
I understand this isn't a Sonnet ..but- The Saab Sonett was put against a fox body mustang, & a camaro with all the suspension bolts ons & out motor crossed them by a mile { either Carcraft or Motortrend in the 80's did the challenge.... Saab Sonett is the best handling sports car of all time..
They were a amazing looking new I remember when my uncle drove one down from Massachusetts he worked at a Saab dealership I got all kinds of promotion stuff for the 900 turbo I really like the car at the time
I had a friend in high school (we graduated in 1982) whose Dad was an eye surgeon. Old Doctor Epstein had some bucks so he bought one of the first Saab 99 Turbos in 1977 (as you know the 99 Turbo preceded the 900 Turbo). My buddy Dave Epstein (Doc's son) borrowed the Turbo one weekend during a winter ice storm and sure enough had to call his father - in the middle of a surgery no less - to say: "Dad I'm OK, but your Saab is totaled". Yes, Dave smacked a tree on the passenger side and deformed the nose all the way to the firewall, pushing the dashboard a foot into the front seat area. I was "that close" to being along for the ride but wasn't. The reduced distance between the dash and the passenger front seat would have been bad news for my legs! Small miracles, right? Thanks for writing, Steve Magnante
How did I miss this??? Nice job Steve!
In 2004 my friend who owned a foriegn car used lot. He called an told me to take a 92 Saab 900s automatic. Free! I never had 1 or much knowledge about Saab. Turns out it was a great car. Its still on the road in 2023. Many things were ahead of the rest. if u left headlights on it shut them off, heated seats, moonroof...The 1 annoying thing was the ignition switch is between the seats and passengers get in and grab the keys saying "your keys are on the floor!" pulling the whole switch out.
Cool hood
Another great video, Steve!
One thing I would like to see more of is photos of what the car looked like new. After I watch your videos, I find my self looking up the car and seeing pics of it new. You do bring a magazine along on a bunch of them and show some pics but I want to see more.
I love it Saab story instead of sob story , you rock my friend . !!!!!
That would have been the perfect engine for the DeLorean.
I had a 1982 SAAB Turbo 3 door with APC. I ran this car on 87 octane gasoline most of the time.
I would go to a higher octane for more power,...which the APC ( Engine block knock sensor) would
allow. Visual indication could be seen on greater deflection on the manifold pressure gauge needle.
I miss working on these, so simple
When I work at a Napa store in the 80’s the joke was ,they call it Saab because you sob when you pay for parts. A water pump was $125. mechanic cost and it was just an impeller.
181K miles? Dang this thing is just barely broken in! This has at least 300K more to go before a new engine.
Good job Steve 🕵️ way to get R done😎✌️
Got that same Consumer Reports mag for my '84 Daytona.