Digestible Collectible: 1988 Saab 900 SPG

by Chris Tonn

Published: November 9th, 2015

digestible collectible 1988 saab 900 spg

The contrast was so stark, it was breathtaking.

Dad was driving his company car, some sort of GM A-Body, as we pulled into the parking lot of a golf course north of Columbus. Golf, of course, is another hobby my dad introduced me to that is as sure as car collecting to drive me into debilitating debt. Anyhow, we were meeting a friend of his for a weekend round, and we parked next to his new Saab.

I was blown away. Of course, I read all of the car magazines, so I knew what a Saab was, but dad’s buddy had a 900 SPG — the high-performance, limited edition hot Swede. Black, with grey three-spoke wheels just like the car shown above. The buff book photos did not do the car justice. It’s such a vivid memory of a not-that-exotic car that is so overwhelming.

This 1988 Saab 900 SPG is being sold by the original owner, and it looks to be nearly perfect. There are a few bubbles on the glovebox door, and the cloth covering the moonroof is sagging a bit, but considering how clean the rest of the car is, these are minor complaints.

The black paint gleams like the new car I recall. The lower-body cladding doesn’t appear to have faded or cracked, like so many Pontiacs. The grey leather interior looks sumptuous, and barely creased, considering 143,000 miles on the odometer. It’s $7,000 asking price seems like a bargain.

I haven’t yet had the pleasure of driving an SPG. It’s probably another situation where one should never meet their heroes, as 175 horsepower in a nose-heavy, torque-steering beast is likely not as entertaining as it sounds. But I can’t help but dream of flying into Seattle and driving this pristine car home cross-country. And it looks like there’s even plenty of room in the hatch for a few sets of clubs.

#1988Saab900SPG #900 #Saab #SPG #Turbo

Chris Tonn

Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.

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Ryoku75 on Nov 10, 2015

Nice shape, but for $7K I'd rather buy an old Volvo 120-series, and use the rest on some basic upgrades.

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Autoboy on Nov 15, 2017

I currently own a 2008 SAAB 9-5. Except for my 1991 Toyota Cressida, this is the most reliable car I've ever owned. Also had a 1985 900 Turbo, black over tan leather. Never gave me a bit of trouble. That replaced a 1982 Volvo GLT Turbowagen, silver over blue velour. Still on the road today as a chicken delivery vehicle in Manhattan. I agree about newer Volvo's electrical issues. That's why I bought my 9-5 over a Volvo S80 or V Wagon.

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