You’ve just been to collect your brand new Saab 900 S convertible from the dealership, it’s your dream colour combination of Nova Black over Beige leather, you turn the key and the legendary 900 burble comes to life, you put the top down and experience your first exhilarating drive in your new Saab, wind in your hair, endless road trips ahead. Now imagine being able to recreate that moment, 32 years after that first, unforgettable day.
My great friend Ward, just had the rare privilege of recreating that exact moment, his already immaculate 900 S has been subject to a no stone unturned detail, inside and out recently, Lennert and his team at Vermijl Car Detail, gave the iconic Saab the attention it truly deserves. Their multi day process included a slow foam wash, two step polish and a final, ceramic coating. Inside, the Saab also received a full detail together with a recolouring of the steering wheel to give it that showroom freshness we all long for.
Ward discovered his ultimate Saab 900 convertible; a fitting addition to his impressive collection in the Netherlands, following an extensive search. Although it came with a host of subtle modifications like upgraded intercooler, larger DO88 radiator, Primary 7 for the LPT and a new AC condensor, he set about progressively improving it further. For future reliability, Ward replaced the waterpump, AC compressor, dynamo, clutch cylinders with hose and bearings, a new fuel pump and even a new windscreen.
Ward already owns an immaculate 900 T16S coupe, and wanted to create a similar driving experience in his convertible - ‘As the car already had quite some elements of the Full Pressure Turbo specifications and I really like the driving characteristics of my coupe which also has the T16S specs with the engine and gearbox of a T16S red box APC, I decided to let the professionals of Haaima turn the convertible to full T16S spec. This included the installation of the red box APC system (with everything that comes with it), a time period correct turbo gauge and an original Turbo S badge to rightfully represent the professional changes that had been made in accordance with the original specifications fitting to a T16S.’
He then added the finishing aesthetic touch, with a set of Aero alloys refinished in his signature dark grey with polished rims.
Saab should also be praised for designing and manufacturing a car that 240,000km / 145,000 miles and 32 years on, can still look and feel so immaculate. A real gem of a Saab, and one any of us would love to own.
Although this has been shared by numerous folk already, this is a link to the Saab 900’s detail in progress.