Saab 90

"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory) 01/03/2015 at 16:36 • Filed to: None

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I didn't leave a 0 off the end of that, no, the Saab 90 was a weird like chop-job that took the front of the 99 and gaff-taped it to the back of a 900.

I kind of completely want one. For some reason it just screams "put an V6 turbo in me and convert me to AWD so we can go drive quickly and sideways on a frozen lake!!!!!"

Steve in Manhattan > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/03/2015 at 16:45

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Hatchback looks without the practicality!

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/03/2015 at 16:46

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I tried to find something with a 90.. I failed.. have a 99 Rally.

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/03/2015 at 17:38

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Oh the things I'd do to have one of these... surprised nobody has imported one yet.

kanadanmajava1 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/03/2015 at 18:06

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I have told this story once before here but I'll repeat it. The "gaff-taping" is pretty much how 90 was born. I have heard this story from the factory guys who were related to the 90 development.

The (only) Finnish car factory was constructing Saab 99 and 900 in the 80's. Their R&D guys got a nice idea of building new model from the existing parts. They calculated that they could combine 900 front end with 99 rear end as both were cheaper to build than the other ends.

They had constructed a mock-up by sawing two plastic models and fixing the desired parts together. Then they showed the "prototype" to Swedish guys (the decision makers). They thought that the idea was good but it looked silly. Then they asked if the Finnish guys still had the other halves. The pieces were found and soon the other parts were taped together. After some thinking the Swedish guys gave approval to put the new model into production despite the fact that they had just combined the most expensive body parts.

90 wasn't sold in many countries and most remained in Finland. I guess they compensated the expensive body by offering a low amount of equipment and options. The only notable option was 5 speed gearbox (which also came with a tachometer, a front spoiler and a intermittent wiper switch).

Rather surprisingly a special model was also built. It was commonly known as "Lumikko" (least weasel) and it was pretty white. It also had sporty aero package (separate part pricing shown in the picture). Only 20 were made so it is probably one of the rarest Saab models ever made.

AMC/Renauledge > kanadanmajava1 01/03/2015 at 18:45

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Building a cheap car the expensive way. Gotta love SAAB. And totally understand why the brand is all but dead.