It’s Spring in the northern hemisphere which means all those garaged Saabs are coming out to grab a few months in the sun. And what a welcome pleasure it must be!!
Long-time friend of SU and my fellow Detroit Auto Show correspondent, Greg Abbott, recently got his Cardinal Red 1978 Saab 99 Turbo out for a spring clean and wax and I’ve got to say, the results make me long for my short-lived ownership of a 99T in the same spec a few years ago.
This looks like a shot taken in the middle of the waxing process:
And here’s a shot of the finished product – absolutely magnificent. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here and now: the 99T, with it’s shorter nose and aggressive look is the most balanced Saab shape there’s ever been. I love it.
Greg, you may disagree and consider your 9-5 Aero or your 900 convertible to be more likely contenders, but judging from this brief perspective, I’d say your 99T would be the best looking and most individual car on your street!
Is it just me, or is the #1 badge ever stuck on an automobile?
If you can think of a better looking badge than the 99′s TURBO badge, please let me know in comments. The only possible equal I can think of is the Viggen badge.
It’s great to see old timers, especially rare old timers like this one, getting their day in the sun.
Thanks for the images, Greg!!
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{ 13 comments }
Swade, I like this post! Greg, NICE CAR! I’ve said it before,..love my 9-3; but Saab broke the mold with that one: THE 99T!
Swade, thanks for a rest from the ownership thing…
Greg, thats an amaizing car…so beautiful!
Great car and great colour. I hope we see these combinations of interior and exterior colours from the new Saab.
As for significant Saab badges, I would say the early 1990′s ‘handwritten’ Carlsson ones for the C900 and 9000CC, CS & CD would be high my list.
One of my teachers in highschool had the exact same car back in 198*. That was when my love affair with Saab began. It was the curved windscreen, the quirkiness of the whole design with its clamshell hood that ‘dragged me in’….then I saw that ‘word’ and from then on…..!!
Wow, very nice car indeed!.. and a nice change of pace from some of the previous news and such. I would love to own one, one of these days.. but for now, my recently acquired Talladega Red SPG will have to do
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Greg.. So yummy turbo!
Greg,
Great Car! It looks great after the waxing, too. I have never seen wheels as unique as those on any other car.
Thanks for the comments, they are greatly appreciated.
The car is a 204,000 mile survivor, from Nevada. No rust, but a very weather-beaten exterior. Generally speaking the paint is sun-blasted and weathered. It doesn’t show in the pictures, but the left rear quarter panel was repaired and repainted (poorly) at some point in the past. It looks great at 10 feet and in pictures, but you can really see the wear and tear in person.
It’s a blast to drive, too!
Greg, I’m a bit jealous right now! These pictures have me longing for my old Saabs!
Cracking car Greg. A modern iteration would be a revelation for SAAB.
One thing that has always struck me about the 99 is that its a big car hiding in a small car. Not unlike a Peugeot 504. Looks small until you get up close. Sign of a great design I guess.
The car may be weathered but I’d prefer to say the ca has character…
I’m just a few years older and I also look better from 10 feet.
Awesome car
Swade,
Don’t worry your old 99T is getting much love up here in sunny QLD. She’s in getting the master cylinder fixed at the moment but after that I’ll give her a good polish up and send you some photos. Try hold back the tears
Simon
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