When visiting Detroit one would expect to see many American cars. While I DID see many GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles, it was a Swedish hatchback that really caught my attention. During a wander around town on a Saturday morning, I saw this Saab 900 3-door parked on the street. I have always been a fan of these cars, and this one looked extra sharp in white. Under closer inspection it wasn't spotless, with a few rust spots here and there, but it was still fairly presentable. A bit of body work and a paint job and this Swede would be looking like a million bucks. And knowing how long these original Saabs could run for, the owner can most likely count on many more years of service. Many would say that this generation of Saab, built from 1978 until 1993, was a bit of an odd duck. The long hood, upright windshield, and angled, sloping rear hatch did give it a very 'unique' look. But the Saab 900 was lauded for its great power with the turbo version, excellent traction in snow, entertaining driving dynamics, and massive cargo space perfect for a trip to Ikea. It's certainly what you'd call a 'modern day classic', and is regarded by most as the last 'true' Saab, since subsequent models, while well received, were built with GM influence and platforms after the American company purchased Saab. I used to see these old 900s from time to time in Europe, but they're more rare in North America. It was a nice surprise find in Detroit for sure. Now that the Saab name has officially been discontinued by the Chinese company, NEVS, that bought it out in 2012, these classic Saabs can only attract more attention. I hope this white one gets a bit of TLC to turn it back into perfect condition, and that it will be navigating the streets of Detroit proudly waving the Swedish flag for many years to come.
0 Comments
|
AuthorWelcome! My name is Paul, and I am an old-fashioned, low-pressure, low-buck car fan with lots of automotive stories to tell! Archives
February 2020
|