Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

Features
 | 3 Oct 2025
Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

My Saab was first registered in December 1991, and I bought it in February 1992 with just 800 miles on the clock.

It is one of five Saabs I have owned over the years. The first was a 1967 Saab 96 V4, which I bought in ’72.

I don’t know what attracted me to the marque at the time, but maybe Stig Blomqvist’s win in the RAC Rally in a 96 the previous year had something to do with it.

Whatever the reason, it was the start of a relationship with Saab that continues to this day.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

This Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible’s bodywork is in great condition, if not perfect

The 1967 car was followed by another Saab 96, this time a 1972 model.

The only difference apart from colour, as I recall, was that the later version had square headlights rather than round.

Both cars had a freewheel system, which allowed the transmission to run faster than the engine when decelerating or descending a long hill – great for saving fuel, but a bit iffy going down a steep incline if you forgot to disengage it.

I kept that car until 1982.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

The Saab’s engine has needed no major work

As well as the Convertible, which was relegated to second-car status when I started to get company cars, I have had a 900 saloon and a 9-5.

All were good cars, in my opinion. 

The 900 turbo 16S Convertible is very original and has now done 79,000 miles.

I wish I could tell you it has been on rallies, track days or long transcontinental journeys, but it hasn’t.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

The Saab 900 turbo even starred as an avant-garde wedding car

As well as being a second car in later years, it has been my daily driver, the go-to car for daughters and their spouses when they have been without transport for any reason (there’s been quite a lot of that), a wedding car, a platform to display car-boot-sale items and a regular visitor to the recycling centre (it’s surprising how much you can get in with the top down).

It has never broken down, throughout the time I have owned it.

The heated seats, radio, electric hood and ABS all work, but the cassette player and the cruise control don’t.

I have toyed with the idea of fitting a modern radio to replace the Grundig original, but I have never got around to doing it.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

This Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible has proved to be a reliable and remarkably adaptable workhorse

In 2017 I was at a crossroads with the Saab: there were patches of rust in the engine bay and some minor oil leaks, and many of the original bushes were starting to perish.

It was either sell the car and let someone else deal with the problems, or invest in it with a view to keeping it longer-term.

I decided on the latter. Saab specialist TR Autos in Yeovil has serviced the car since 2016, and they know it well so it was logical to take it to them to have the work done.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Saab 900 turbo 16S Convertible

This Saab has been part of this enthusiast’s life since 1992

After talking with owner Tommy Butler, it was decided that he would remove the engine to tend to oil leaks; replace parts, bushes and gaskets as required; repaint the engine bay; and remove and powder-coat the front suspension.

The engine itself required no work, and the only cosmetic attention needed was a machine polish of the body and refurbishment of the alloys. 

The result is a car that runs and drives really well.

I have no concerns about taking it out in modern traffic, and it certainly holds its own at motorway speeds.

The bodywork and interior are not perfect, but it is more than 30 years old and good for its age. 

I really don’t know if these old Saab 900s are classic cars in the accepted sense.

I do know that my car is a great conversation piece on garage forecourts when I stop for petrol.

There are a lot of people out there who either owned one, knew someone who owned one, or wished they had owned one. I’m certainly hanging on to mine.

Want to star in our ‘Your classic’ section of the magazine and online? Get in touch

Factfile

  • Owned by John Vercoe
  • First classic 1935 Morris 8 Two Seat Open Tourer (bought for £25 in 1962)
  • Dream classic 1955 MG TF-1500 – ideally the one I sold in 1970

Enjoy more of the world’s best classic car content every month when you subscribe to C&SC – get our latest deals here

READ MORE

Saab: the rise and fall

Wild bunch: Saab 99 vs Porsche 911 vs BMW 2002

Buyer’s guide: Saab 900 turbo