1989 Saab 900 Turbo 16S
£29,950
Rare UK delivered RHD example
Even rarer 2 Door version
£45,000 restoration with Abbot Racing Motorsport in 2015
Rebuilt to modern standards including full engine rebuild to 230bhp specification
Ultimate Scandi cool in original specifiation
Model History
I seem to be writing love letters to manufacturers at the moment, first to Lancia and now Saab. I think for the sanity of you, the reader, I will try and keep this brief and focussed on the Saab 900 Turbo.
Turbo, now there is a word synonymous with the automotive world of the 1980’s. Everything seemed to have a turbo strapped to it by the end of the decade and yet, in typical Scandi style, Saab had quietly been mastering this technology since the late 70’s. As was the norm with Saab, they focussed on engineering improvements not just for kudos and breaking power records but to genuinely improve the feel, connection and sense of confidence and safety for the driver.
Everything they did was a bit of a conundrum/paradox. The cars were front wheel drive, the engine was mounted backwards, the gearbox was chain driven and a lot of the weight hung over the front wheels. The latter might sound like a terrible idea for handling on the Nordschleife but the Scandinavians couldn’t have cared less, their logics was focussed on maximum traction for the driven front wheels in snowy/icy conditions.
This approach of quietly ploughing their own furrow and never being led by other manufacturers is both the reason the company and its cars are iconic but also why it ultimately failed under the conservative ownership of General Motors.
Launched in 1978 on a developed 99 chassis, the 900 Turbo was offered in four different body styles (good old Saab!): 3-Door Combi/Coupé (hatchback), 5-Door Combi/Coupé, 2-Door Saloon and 4-Door Saloon. The hatchback cars are arguably the more iconic shape with their fastback appearance but the saloons were built in much smaller numbers.
The original Turbo put out 145bhp and was available until 1984, when the 16V engine that had been developed for the larger Saab 9000, was fitted to the 900, creating the Turbo 16 or T16 for short. Power was up to 175bhp which may not grab headlines but the way the engine was set up and tuned, the mid range punch meant in real world scenarios, there wasn’t a lot that could stick with a 900 Turbo 16. In late 1988, for the 1989 Model Year, the Turbo 16 S (T16 S) was launched. There wasn’t much more power but lowered and firmer suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars and vented front discs turned what was already a very capable car into a much more focussed one.
It is believed that only around 263 examples of the Turbo 16 S were produced in right-hand drive, making this an exceptionally rare car.
Motor Car for Sale
The Saab 900 Turbo 16 S for sale with Wrightson Automotive is a late-production example, first registered in April 1989. Delivered new in Edwardian Grey Metallic with Labrador (Dark Grey) interior, a specification it retains to this day.
For over a decade the car was owned by Dr Robin Eardley, a lifelong Saab enthusiast who had owned and maintained Saabs since the 1960s, including previous 900 Turbo 16 models. Purchased privately in 2012, the car was initially used and improved sympathetically, with age-related issues addressed while remaining in regular use. With a clear intention to keep the car long-term, and drawing on a lifetime of mechanical experience, Dr. Eardley made the decision to have the car comprehensively restored and re-engineered.
In 2014 the car was delivered to Abbott Racing Motorsport, one of the most respected names in classic turbocharged Saab development. What followed was an extensive, multi-year programme combining a full cosmetic restoration with a detailed mechanical rebuild, carried out with a clear brief: to produce the very best possible example, without losing that idiosyncratic charm that makes a 900 Turbo the hero car it is today.
The engine was removed and completely rebuilt, fitted with forged Wössner pistons, Stage 1 camshafts, an uprated turbocharger, lightweight flywheel and an Abbott Racing water-cooled charge-cooler system. Engine management was recalibrated to suit, producing around 230bhp with markedly reduced turbo lag and a strong, flexible mid-range that feels entirely in keeping with the character of the car. Cooling, lubrication and exhaust systems were comprehensively upgraded, with particular attention paid to heat management and long-term reliability.
The gearbox was fully rebuilt and strengthened, fitted with a Quaife limited-slip differential and short-shift mechanism, while suspension, steering and braking systems were stripped, refurbished and rebuilt throughout. Correct Carlsson 16-inch alloy wheels were fitted and today are shod with brand new Michelin tyres.
Inside, the work was carried out with equal care. The seats were re-trimmed in half-leather with period-correct cloth inserts, the headlining renewed, factory-spec air conditioning installed and the cruise control repaired. Electrical systems were comprehensively refreshed, and a discreet Blaupunkt audio system fitted alongside additional sound-deadening.
The result is a 900 Turbo 16 S that nails the brief set out in the first place. It is a supremely capable car and is a joy to drive. The expertise of both Abbott and the owner gives you modern car confidence while retaining all the charm and experience one expects and wants from a Saab 900 Turbo. The only downside to the restoration was the cost, an eye watering £45,000 was spent in total! Of course, this was never supposed to make financial sense, it rarely does, but what it leaves behind is a testament to Dr. Eardley, a gentleman who was loyal and loved the Saab brand and we can only thank him for listening to his passion, not his accountant. A small reward came in 2016 when the car won Best in Class at the 2016 Saab National Meeting.
Since completion the Saab has covered about 10,000 miles. The current owner acquired the car in March 2024 and has serviced the car annually with a local Saab specialist.
The car is accompanied by two sets of keys, a complete tool kit and a history file with invoices going back over 20 years.
With its limited right-hand-drive production, late build date and depth of documented work, this car represents not only one of the finest examples of the classic 900 Turbo 16 S, but also one of the last truly independent Saabs, conceived and engineered before the influence of General Motors started the slow decline that would eventually spell the end of this legendary brand.
