1993 marked the final year of the classic Saab 900 Hatchback (1979-1993) and during that year there were 325 “commemorative edition” models introduced to the market.

Thanks to Ric DiDonato and his website, http://www.saabce.com, I have been able to provide you some images as well as some specifications and additional information about this special commemorative models.

He has also provided an up-to-date registry list as well on the 1993 900 Commemorative edition Saabs, so please if you have one of these add it to the list!

1993 Saab 900 Turbo Commemorative Edition

The 900 Commemorative Edition Turbo Coupe was offered in the US market in the spring of 1993. This model was only available as a three-door turbo with a manual transmission. It had a 185 Hp engine which made it the highest performing 900 ever. The extra horsepower was achieved through the modified “red box” APC, a 2.8bar fuel pressure regulator, and a special distributor with enhanced vacuum advance. It also offered an improved suspension. You could get it in any color you wanted; as long as that color was black with tan interior. At the time, it was considered the quintessential Saab 900 Turbo. Only a limited number were produced (literature states 325 but it appears only about 314 were actually built). All included leather interior, a burled walnut instrument panel facia (the first Saab 900 to get this treatment), a leather gear knob and boot, and special directional alloy wheels with polished outer lips and metallic gray centers.

Each 1993 Commemorative Edition came with a special 3.5″x 1.5″ engraved brass plaque to be mounted on the floor console in front of the shifter. The plaques showed each car’s specific number in the series (xx of 325). The plaques were not mounted on the cars when they were built and may not reflect the cars actual build number. The plaques came in the owner’s packet for each car and were to be installed by the dealer or by the owner. They were mounted with double-face tape and often came off, or perhaps were never installed, so some CE’s may not have their original plaque.

To find out if you have a Commemorative Edition, go to carfax.com and enter your VIN. It will not cost you anything. If it is truly a Commemorative Edition, it will have that description in the model name. I have also compiled a master VIN list in PDF format. Series numbers are matched with build numbers as owners with plaques register their cars.
Specs
ORIGINAL RETAIL PRICE:

$32,605
ENGINE:

Four cylinder; 2.0-liter engine. Breakerless electronic ignition system. Electronic fuel injection. Turbocharger with water-cooled bearing housings and integrated waste gate. Intercooler: Saab APC system for continuous boost pressure control. Double overhead camshafts. Four valves per cylinder Power rating: 185 bhp at 5500 rpm. Peak torque: 201 ft. lb. at 2800 rpm.
TRANSMISSION:

Front wheel drive. Five-speed manual gearbox.
CHASSIS:

Front: Double wishbones, with pivot-mounted, progressive action coil springs and gas shock absorbers. Stabilizer bar Rear: Lightweight, beam-type rear axle with coil springs, gas shock absorbers, two leading and two trailing arms and a Panhard rod. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.
BRAKES:

Disc brakes all around, ventilated in front. Asbestos-free pads. Saab Anti-lock Braking System.

WHEELS:

Asymmetric wheels, grey with polished lip. 5.5j x 15″ light alloy.
TIRES:

195/60 VR15 high-speed, low profile steel belted radials.
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT:

Capacity EPA Cargo Volume Index with the back seat raised, 21.9 cu.ft. (621 liters). Total Cargo Space with the back seat folded down, 56.5 cu.ft. (1600 liters).
STANDARD EQUIPMENT:

Lowered chasis. Electrically operated sunroof. Air-conditioning. Electrically operated front seats. Electrically adjustable door mirrors. Electrically operated windows. Cruise control. Driver’s side air bag. Burled walnut instrument panel. Leather upholstery. Removable AM/FM stereo cassette and compact disc player/7-band graphic equalizer with CD changer controls.
COLORS:

(EXTERIOR/INTERIOR) Black/Tan

The Saab-Scania promotional film made in 1979 titled “22 Minutes & 22 Seconds” has now been converted and is available to watch here online. This film was able to be converted thanks to the Rocky Mountain Saab Club’s (RMSC) extremely kind donation recently. The RMSC provided everything that Saab History needed in order to meet the financial goals in concluding the first phase of the “Saab Film Project“. This additional to the Saab Video archive will be the three hundred and fifteenth addition to the archive since it was launched over a year ago.

The film you are about to see is certainly a unique mix featururing footage of Scania, SAAB Aerospace as well as SAAB Automobile. The variety of footage of these industries that were all a part of Saab-Scania AB at the time include manufacturing, testing, development, design, promotional clips, out takes and a number of other bits that I think you will find particularly unique and rather interesting.

Please enjoy the film and post your comments below.

Saab-Scania - 22 Minutes & 22 Seconds, 1979

 
The million mile Saab 900 SPG story that hit one million miles at the 2006 Saab Owners Convention in Lake George, New York has almost received more mileage in the press than the actual car did.
 
Recently, I have uncovered one piece of footage of this milestone. This footage involves actual in-car video of the odometer rolling over from 999,999 to 000,000 with Peter driving his 1989 900 SPG and former President of Saab Automobile USA, Jay Spenchian riding as a passenger.
 
The footage is interesting, especially when you hear them talking, but I warn you, please do not eat prior to watching due to the “merry-go-round” effect as you will see during the final moments leading up to the milestone. I wonder which one got sick first, Peter or Jay? I like Jay’s comments “It’s like a bad amusement park ride”.
 
As the story goes, a result of this milestone, Saab Automobile USA provided Peter with a free 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon complete with the Saab Aero Academy!
 
In addition to all of the media exposure Peter received for his accomplishment, and the Saab brand itself, he was also asked to showcase his car at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.
 
Although today the SPG is retired to the wisconsin auto museum, Peter enjoys his 9-5 Aero as he wrote here on Saab History back in the fall of 2007.
 

 
Saab History has received yet another Saab TV ad, this from all the way back in 1986 from Sweden featuring a 3-door 900.
 
Although it is in Swedish, it’s great to see, and another good addition to the Saab Video archive.

 
Saab History has just received a super rare Saab 900 4-door Notchback TV ad from 1988 as part of the “most intelligent cars ever built” advertising campaign in the United States.
 
The Saab 900 notchback was introduced in 1983 and became the quintessential sedan version of the Saab 900, given that the hatchback model was only available for 2 years in the U.S., 1979 and 1980.
 
Interesting ad don’t you think? It makes #444 in the Saab Video archive!

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

The convertible idea was conceived by Bob Sinclair, former President Saab-Scania of America, Inc. and the engineering was conducted by Steven Rossi & American Sunroof Company.

The Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet prototype in 1983. was unveiled to the crowd at the Frankfurt Motor Show that Saab in 1983.

A year later, this vehicle was also featured in the Saab Olympics which took place in Los Angeles in 1984.

The first production model of the Saab 900 Convertible arrived in 1986 of which there were 400 made that year and was built in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The final year for the production of the convertible took place in 1994, a year after the 900 ended production.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:

Read more »

Photo Credit: Saab-Scania

The Saab 900 notchback sedan was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1981. That year, the models traditional 3-door & 5-door hatchback model lineup was expanded to include sedans which featured a new body style known as the “notchback”, which effectively eliminated the hatch leaving a trunk.

This new body style was included in not only the initial sedans, but between 1985 and 1986, it had a 3-door model people refer to as the “notchback”. It’s design continued through the years until 1993, and it even served as the basis for the Saab 900 convertible in 1986.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:

Read more »

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 900 continued the legacy of the 99 as a Combi Coupé / hatchback and was first introduced in 1979 and was produced for 15 years until it came to an end in 1993.

The 900 was designed by Saab designer, Bjorn Enväll and was produced in Uusikaupunki, Finland, Arlöv, Sweden, Malmö, Sweden and Trollhättan, Sweden

The Saab 900 became known as the classic 900 when it rolled off of the production line on March 26th, 1993 in an Imola Red 900 Aero, which was subsequently driven directly to the Saab Museum in Trollhättan.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:

Read more »

I have recently received the 1981 Saab USA Press Kit featuring a full lineup of 900 models. I have provided the 6 press releases below, for your viewing pleasure, enjoy!

SAAB TURBO HATCHBACK FOR 1981

SAAB OFFERS REDESIGNED, LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINE FOR 1981

SAAB 900 FOR 1981

NEW SAAB INTERIOR FOR 1981

SAAB 900 NOTCHBACK SEDAN FOR 1981

SAAB TURB0 SEDAN FOR 1981

As a follow-up to the previous writeup on the past and present Saab designers and their achievements, it was necessary to include a chronological up-to-date listing of Saab projects both production and concepts.

This listing includes each Saab project, year introduced along with each designer and/or engineer that contributed to the given project.

This list is a work-in-progress, so any additions and/or modifications that you see necessary below, please add your comments to ensure correctness and accuracy.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Design Contributions by Model

SAAB Scandia 90 (1946-1958)

Bror Bjurströmer

SAAB 91 (1947-1966)

A.J. Andersson

SAAB 92001 (Prototype) (1946/1947)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

Read more »

Photo Credit: Carl

It’s been a little while since I’ve made a post up here, but given the disappointment as of late, I felt it was time to talk a bit about a concern I’ve been having.

I’ve been driving Saabs for ten years and the majority of that time was spent at the helm of the quintessential Saab, the 900. As with any aging populous of car model made between 1979 and 1993, the number of Saab 900s on the road have decreased naturally for some time. However, it seems that as of maybe the last 5 years, more and more 900s have fallen into the hands of people who, for all intents and purposes, shouldn’t have had one.

Today, I went on an excursion with my good friends Ali (escalator guru for all the forum-goers out there) and her fiancé Brian to look at what appeared to be a very nice 1984 Saab 900 Turbo. Complete with Uncle Bob’s “Special Black” as indicated by its facsimile Monroney sticker and a clean bill of legal health from CarFax, it looked like we had a great day lined up that would end with a C900 coming south in the coming week. We drove 80 miles north from where I live here on the coast of New Hampshire to a town in the White Mountains to examine this spectacle. Gas prices being what they are, we had to really trust the Craigslist ad for what it was worth, as well as the email correspondence from the seller. There was a claim of a “rusty rocker panel”, and that was about it.

That was not the only issue with the car. We rolled up and saw it parked about 30′ away, to which I jokingly uttered my catchphrase “It’s good from afar, but far from good”. There is truth in every joke, however. The car had been repainted, badly. Where that paint job had failed, mainly as a result of improper surface preparation and the ensuing rust bubbles, the paint was “repaired” with a tube of touch-up paint. That’s all well and good for a little chip, but there were spots easily 2″ in diameter that were brushed in. The seller greeted us and showed us around the car. Upon opening the driver’s door of the car, the “rusty rocker panel” was visible. Honestly, had the rust been fixed right the first time and not slapped together with Bondo, it wouldn’t have crumbled upon contact like the asbestos pipe coatings they had in the old Jr. High school I went to ages ago. The man snapped at me, ordering me not to touch it. I promptly snapped back and said, “how else can I determine if this can still be fixed?”. He then grudgingly started the car, which sounded awesome. I asked him about the warm-up regulator, knowing full well that an 8-valve Saab will start poorly with a malfunctioning one. He had replaced it… with one from another one of his old 900s.

I was getting a really bad vibe about this guy, so I called for a team meeting outside the little boys room in the guy’s workshop. The rust seemed fixable, but it would take some exploratory work to determine the full extent. We asked to take a test drive, and then to use the lift in the shop afterward to inspect the undercarriage. Ali and Brian took the first drive and I stayed behind and chatted with the guy. “You know,” he said, “this is the first time I used Craigslist to try and unload a car and I got like 50 responses. I should dust off my other old 900s in storage, fix ‘em and sell ‘em off too!” I just sort of gave him the boilerplate “Yeah, everyone wants fuel economy these days” line and waited for the duo to return. Upon their arrival, I climbed into the driver’s seat and strapped in. There was no dealer plate on the car, so we were only limited to the industrial park we were in. Nevertheless, I took it out to the road and slipped into 2nd gear… the boost slowly creeped into the first third of the yellow as a haunting sound that I hadn’t heard in nearly five years came from the motor. Rod bearing failure was enough for me to say “*four letter word* this, we’re outta here” but being behind the wheel and 200′ away from the person holding the checkbook, I had to save face for a minute or two.

I pulled back up out front and left it running so the dude could pull the car in and show us the rest of the disaster. While he did that, I pulled Ali and Brian aside and said “We need to walk, this car is on its last legs and is an absolute piece”. For some reason, we decided to stay around and see the undercarriage and that sealed the deal. The four of us stood under the car speechless for a second and I yelled out “THIS THING IS HOLIER THAN JESUS!” Not only that, the catalytic converter was long gone — much to the joy of the sketchy technician. So here was a guy, buying up rotten old 900s that were never really dealt with properly in the early days and passing them off as reliable transporation. I made a remark about the rod knock… “OH! That’s pinging, all Saabs do it. I’ve been working on Saabs for 40 years and I know ping when I hear it! YOU MUST HAVE BEEN OVERBOOSTING!!” I was genuinely insulted at this point and said, “No, that was rod knock — same sound my 1987 900 Turbo made in its dying days. That car never got a third of the way into the yellow. Guys, let’s go!”

We walked.

So what is the moral of this story? Classic 900s are an endangered model. A-Arm rust, dead transmissions, rusty bodies, blown head gaskets, my generation’s affinity for the Turbo and SPG models… all these factors have played a part in the disappearance of the 900. Another trend, which has me all fired up right now, are these people stripping the cars for parts when there was a very small issue to begin with. Instead of buying the $60 head gasket set, a case of beer and taking a Sunday afternoon to get down and greasy, they write the thing off as junk, part it and send another 100-hour’s worth of 1980s Swedish labor to the crusher.

Kids, these cars WILL NOT EXIST in a few more years if this keeps up. I saw my little 18-month old nephew (Sister’s friend’s kid, they still call me Uncle Carl) today and I got sad for a minute thinking that if he didn’t have an Uncle Carl to educate him, it’s not very likely he’d ever know what a Saab 900 is by the time he’s old enough to care.

Henceforth, I am issuing this decree as a long-standing member of the worldwide Saab community: Stop parting out potentially good-running 900s! I don’t care if they are 8V Automatic 4-door sedans or Commemorative Editions, they’re all special and worth saving regardless of how they came equipped from the factory.

Photo Credit: Larry West

In 1988, Saab-Scania’s Saab Car Division, presented during a “Springtime in Sweden” event, a limited edition Saab 900 “Springtime in Sweden” convertible.

The following are the specifications on this limited edition Saab 900 convertible:

Production: There were only 288 Springtime in Sweden or SiS models produced during this time.

Distribution: These vehicles were specifically designated for each Saab dealership in the United States at that time.

Engine: 2.0 Liter Turbocharged engine

Transmission: Automatic

Exterior: All of the vehicles were painted black, included a matching black convertible top, all badges were removed, and included SPG wheel arch mouldings, SPG body panels and the SPG three-spoke alloy wheels.

Interior: The interior included a special steering wheel, buffalo grey leather seats rounding out with a commemorative badge indicating that it is a “Springtime in Sweden” edition shown below.

Existing owners of this vehicle take pride in knowing that they own a true limited edition Saab convertible.

*There has been talk of a registry to list current owners and locations in the United States, so if there has ever been a good time, perhaps we can begin one here:

—–

Ref: Larry West