SAAB 900 CARLSSON, 1990
It was early 2021 and it was one of those phone calls.
At the time, I had only recently sold what I then considered to be the best Carlsson of them all, and having owned that car for some 17 years, I honestly never thought I would ever buy another. Having just sold the best, why would I?
So when the telephone rang and a gentleman asked if I wanted to buy his Carlsson, without thinking, I politely declined. But of course, the conversation evolved and we spoke of many things until finally I asked how long he had had his Saab.
He was the second owner and he had bought it from a Jaguar dealership in 1993, when the car was three years old and had covered 44,000 miles. When he eventually took it off the road in 2005 and put it into careful, long-term storage, the mileage had increased to 112,000. It hadn’t been on the road since.
Living in Herefordshire, he had always had the car maintained by his nearest Saab Main Agent, Hereford Saab.
Porsches came and went, as did Ferraris, but he could never quite bring himself to part with the Saab, which had been ‘the best car he had ever owned’. (How many times have I heard that?)
And now the car was being offered to me and I was declining.
A few days later, I came to my senses and curiosity got the better of me; I just had to go and look. The car I bought that day is the car you see here - could this now possibly be the best Carlsson of them all?
*****
One owner since 1993, just 112,000 miles, full Saab main dealer service history? The car has never been corroded and all its body panels are the originals. Paintwork is near flawless, the interior has been deeply cared-for and is completely original, with the sole exception of the headlining which, sagging when I bought the car, has now been beautifully replaced. It’s fortunate I have a small stock of the original genuine Saab material (from my days specialising in these cars), as it’s now next to impossible to find, despite the claims from one or two well-known trim suppliers. The engine bay has been cleaned and mildly detailed, but it, too, is essentially original.
Otherwise, the Saab has been thoroughly and at some considerable expense recommissioned, with the final works being the fitting of a new, complete, stainless steel exhaust system which includes the custom made rear twin exhaust pipes and a set of four correct specification Continental tyres.
*****
The Carlsson is arguably the most desirable and collectable of all ‘Classic’ 900 models, along with, perhaps, the Ruby, a late T16S Convertible or an early, flat-fronted T16S.
Broadly speaking, 200 cars were produced for each of the three years the model was available, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
All Carlssons had manual gearboxes and were fitted with the ‘Type 8’ primary gears, in conjunction with the increased power output from the ‘Red Box’ APC unit (185bhp instead of 175 for the standard T16S). Suspension was lowered marginally and thicker anti roll bars fitted. A twin pipe exhaust system also differentiates the Carlsson.
Also particular to the model were the special ‘signed’ Momo steering wheel, while the boot lid featured a central SAAB badge, special Carlsson script and full width decor panel.
Saab 16” alloy wheels remained an option, even on the Carlsson.
*****
Supplied new by Saab Wimbledon and first registered on 16th February 1990, the Carlsson was especially ordered from new, at extra cost, with Factory fitted air conditioning, a surprisingly rare option on what was the top-of-the-range model. In addition to all the ‘standard’ features of the 185bhp red box APC unit, thoroughly developed sport suspension, whale tail rear spoiler, deep front spoiler with Hella driving lights (complete with their SAAB embossed covers), deep rear skirt, wheel arch extensions, Momo steering wheel with ‘Carlsson’ script and Saab badge, full leather interior trim, sport exhaust system with twin tailpipes (here in stainless steel), rear décor panel, cruise control, electric sliding steel sunroof etc. etc. this car’s further extra cost options include, three extra genuine SAAB instruments (oil pressure, oil temperature, outside temperature gauge), rear screen wiper with wash facility, the original Kenwood radio/tape/cd system with additional tweeters in the front speaker nacelles and additional rear speakers.
Also optionally specified, at extra cost, were 16” Saab light alloy wheels. When the car changed hands in 1993, Saab had, at that time, just introduced its new ‘Super Aero’ alloy wheel and at the point of sale, the Carlsson was treated to a new set of this latest wheel which had, furthermore, become standard fitment for all post-1992 Carlssons. These are the wheels still on the car today, however it should be noted that the original 16” wheels are still present and included with the car now.
*****
First registered on 16th February 1990, the first owner retained the car for three years and during his ownership it was entrusted to both Saab Wimbledon and Saab City for servicing. Following the change of ownership in 1993, servicing was carried out by Hereford Saab.
Supplied complete with all original books, driver’s pack and a substantial A4 file of invoices for servicing and miscellaneous work carried out, along with duplicate original keys. Also present is a full complement of expired MoT certificates, SORN and taxation history etc.
Make no mistake, examples of this calibre and provenance rarely come to the open market. The car may be considered an exceptional example of an undisputed design masterpiece.
*****
The photographs below deserve close inspection as they will say far more about the car than I can.
PRICE
£ SOLD
07968 094741
The car is presently UK registered. It is supplied with a UK registration document and will be sold with 12 months MoT.
The Ultimate SAAB 900 ?