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| 1990 SAAB
900 Turbo Carlsson Talladega Red - Special Velour 135000 Miles - 2 Owners Insurance Valuation for £25000 Full 23 Stamp Saab Dealer Service History Incredible Investment Saab HYS 1T First registered 20.03.1990 by Turners Hill Garage Saab dealer in Crawkwy as a dealer demonstrator (as stamped in the book). Most likely the Sales managers demo for the first 4 months, whereupon it was sold to its first private keeper, a Mr Hamilton of Bournemouth. He owned the car for one year and 4 months when he traded it into his local Saab agent and they advertised it as part of their approved used Saab programme. Enter the second and final private owner of 28 years - Mr Randak of Glasgow ( whom I purchased the car from personally). Charles is a well know Glasgow designer and a lifelong Saab enthusiast, he approached Westcars Saab of Glasgow late 1991 seeking a 900 Carlsson model and the car was transported from the South to Glasgow, and has been here since. Charles used Westcars exclusively for the servicing and MOTS - 23 stamped services in total, right up until the workshop foreman came upon retirement age in 2007, thereafter, with the original service book being totally full and devoid of spaces to stamp, he continued to use him on a private basis. It has wanted for nothing. Charles, now in his 70s, retired the car from daily duties about 12 years ago, however made a point of driving it every Sunday to go to lunch and get the papers. He has always garaged it, evidenced to me when I met him, and living on the fringes of Glasgow suburbia the car was exercised regular over the surrounding Campsie countryside on some great wide-open roads, as such its in fine fettle and highly original, largely untouched paintwork, and completely untouched cabin, as it left the factory. I have wanted to own this model for nearly 30 years, for some reason it eluded me, then, within a 4-month period this is the second genuine Carlsson model to come my way, I had the privilege of owning a Cirrus White example at the turn of the year which I sold to a collector in Marbella who has become a friend. In truth I am not concerned if and when it sells as I am unlikely to own one ever again. Over the last 25 years and being a 2nd generation motor dealer I have been fortunate enough to own and drive many many exotic and rare classics, however this car has me extremely excited and bounding out the door in the morning into the Carlsson and onto the open road. It has a life of its own, only a Saab enthusiast would understand, some may hate it or at best not get it. For me its a piece of automotive history representing the best of the 90s and perhaps outwith that something better inside us all, from a Golden age where every manufacturers models had a high degree of personality and individuality that were instantly recognizable. Driving it today it draws supreme admiration, thumbs up, lights flashing, pictures and videos being taken and social media posting, its not like a new Porsche where you are sneered at, lip reading obscenities along the way, guaranteed to get let out every junction with a smile and a wave. Setting this car apart is its original unaltered condition, this is not a restored Saab, its an original survivor that has been extremely well maintained and as such been spared the ravages of time. The knowledgeable owner has taken precautions applying a proactive approach to ownership, servicing and preservation. It has always been maintained by the dealer and latterly by that very dealers’ long term retired workshop foreman, it does not get safer than this. The large leather and suede owner’s folder contains all supplied handbooks. Two original keys, full toolkit and spare, rare front fog light covers, proper fitted branded carpet mats, a period stereo with working aerial, all manufacturers labels are present and correct, all as the car left the factory with no add ons or cheap alterations or compromises. The Saab 900 Cult The classic world is at last waking up to the classic Saab, like all the real Saab's its as timeless now as it was then, and they were the real deal. Classic cars come and go but the appeal of some remains constant and none more so than the 900 - the last real Saab say some of the marque's cognoscenti. Think of it as a time-warped Sixties swinger but with MTV street cred and a style and look that was as unique as Citroen's. All of which is why the last Saab 900 - manufactured until 1993 - became an instant classic upon its demise, and remains a sought after though little remembered classic as yet, though time has a habit of changing things. Owning a late model Saab 900 is an easy way to being different and this modern classic is one that anyone would be deeply proud to be the next custodian, its ready to be used and enjoyed and stored with sympathy, and would be the envy of any Saab show it entered. With values of young timer Fords Vauxhalls Mercs and Bmws rising, this is a bit different and is a model that has a proper depth to the build quality and engineering, one of the coolest cult cars ever made. The Carlsson 900 Turbo The Carlsson was a special edition 900 made in honour of Erik Carlsson, of which only 600 examples were made in the three years it was in production (1990 to 1992). Today these are highly elusive models, a search of how many left website suggests that currently there are only 3 cars registered, you will be unlikely ever to pass another one on the road. All 900 Carlssons were 3-door hatchbacks, had a body coloured AirFlow body kit, were fitted with twin chrome exhausts, and were powered by the 1985 cc turbocharged engine with an upgraded (Red) APC giving 185 bhp (138 kW; 188 PS). The Carlsson was also equipped with the “Number 8” primary gear set. The Carlsson boasts an impressive line-up of standard equipment which includes a fully tuned chassis, anti-lock brake system (ABS + 3), sports steering wheel, leather gear knob and gaiter, and electric sunroof. This particular car was specified with special velour interior, this is rather rare as most of them had leather, which by now is tired or needing restored, the velour is of such a high quality that it looks as good as new and is far more comfortable, offering a balance of temperature in summer and winter conditions. Chassis no : YS3AD35L4L 7010354 Engine Number : B202LIM032204 This is as perfect an unrestored classic 900 that money could buy, the many images tell just that. As far as I am aware there are no matters outstanding and I have been using it. The service book has 23 stamps, this being just the tip of the ice berg with at least 30 discernible engine services carried out. The MOT expires Dec 10th 2019. Body As unmarked as it is remarkable. The paint retains a deep glossy shine and is in superb condition all around and looking to be factory original. On close inspection there are no negatives to be found with only a few discreet blemishes that have been touched in. All of the panels are nice and straight, lining up as they should, with all lenses remaining free from any cracks or moisture. Presents like a much younger vehicle with a true depth to paint, currently detailed to a very high standard with all the lines angles and quirks of the 900 surely looking their best in solid Red. All factory coach lines are in place, further testament to never having had a bump or paintwork. Cabin The interior of the 900 is awash with period velour, emitting an unforgettable aroma that takes you back in time. The chairs remain virtual as new, and supportive in a way seats will never be again. The rear seats look unused and the headlining is perfect. The excellent condition continues to the door cards, along the bottoms of the doors, the door shuts and A and B posts, along the dashboard, and all the rubbers none of which shows signs of age or damage. The centre console is the same, with no wear to any buttons or knobs. The carpets throughout remain clean and tidy and unspoiled. Its never been smoked in and has an as new cigar lighter. Engine The engine bay presents remarkably well and is consistent with a car having been extremely well cared for. Unsurprisingly the 5 speed transmission (which has been rebuilt) shifts through the gears with ease and there are no shortcomings with anything, its an utter joy. The underside is dry and well protected, the car has never had any welding. Alloys/Tyres Original Aero alloys. Currently wearing a matching set of Yokohama tyres which are in virtual new condition. Saab Innovation Things like the world's first side impact bars, the first pollen and pollution filter for the cabin air system, and windscreen pillars made of 2.5mm rolled steel, were all unique Saab traits. Lift up the carpet and you will find box section steel beams like no other car, reinforcing the floor. The 900 was so far ahead in safety terms at its 1979 launch that it stayed safe until its discontinuation in 1993 after nearly a million cars were made. Driving the Saab 900 is a world away from today's flat-screened greenhouses. You sit deep behind a unique curved windscreen with a dashboard that rolls away for acres. The windscreen is slot-like and your knees go under the fascia - not over it. It is more like sitting in a deep Victorian cast iron bath. The seats feel orthopaedic, and the boot space is massive, I could go on and on...and I will..... The 900 was Saabs best ever selling car and they have always overflowed with feeling. Like Rolex, Apple or Harley-Davidson, there is something mysterious – albeit modest and Scandinavian – about Saab that, over the years, has transcended its marketing and publicity materials and been appropriated by the people who drive the cars. The phenomenon examining the behaviour of Saab drivers, you discover a hierarchy, also known as “Snaabery" often defined by owning an original, pre-GM Saab; rituals and moral responsibilities: flashing your lights at other Saab drivers and helping them out of trouble; oppositional loyalties: despising BMWs; and myth-making: notably “How Saab saved my life” stories about crashes in which the cars lay down their lives for their owners. Remember you get what you pay for in life, the quality of this 900 will remain long after the price has been forgotten. Be mindful that currently there are very few of these models licensed and on the road. Investment wise this is easily tipped as a model that will multiply in value in coming years, think about it.. Key Information * Agreed valuation for insurance purposes for £25000 * UK delivery available * All p/x welcome * Central locking/headlamp wash/full electric pack * Leather book pack/all manuals/literature/2 keys * Original service booklet * Complete toolkit/jack etc * Emergency spare wheel * Genuine rare roof rack * Period Pioneer hi-fi * Touch in stick * Excellent fuel consumption 95-99 ron * 2 keys * 2 fuel cap keys * First aid kit * Genuine heavy-duty rubber boot mat * Original mounted mobile phone * Stereo manual * Stereo hard case Go find another, these cars will now just keep climbing a wall of appreciation. £15,999 |
West Coast Classic Car Services Ltd