1987 Saab 900

Hej! This is my Scandinavian friend, Susan the Saab. She is named after the Car and Driver author who inspired my search for the car.

After working at a Volvo dealership for 6 months, I wanted to buy my first Swedish car. Reading Susan Wallin’s 1982 story about her personal Saab 99, I was inspired to take on the challenge of finding an old Saab for myself.

I first drove to Michigan to look at a rusted, leaky, green 900 Turbo that failed my inspection. Second, I found an even worse 900 closer to home in Baltimore. On my third attempt, I found this 900S in Rochester, New York where she had been rescued from a barn and put back on the road.

Originally owned by an Anheuser Bush executive, the car quickly racked up 140,000 miles driving between Santa Monica and St. Louis in its first few years. Brought to New York by the second owners in the late 90s, it was driven until it was stored away for 10 years. I purchased the car from the third owner who took the time to rescue it and bring it back to life. The odometer turned over 180,000 miles on the way home to Maryland and had no issues on the journey back.

After owing it just a little bit, this became my daily driver before buying my Miata. In my first year of ownership, I have put over 10,000 miles on it with relative ease.

This Saab is both very comfortable and elegantly enjoyable to drive. Everyone who has had the opportunity to take it out for a test has been surprised by how unique it is to drive. While it’s not quick by modern standards, it’s much quicker than my Beetle and shifts well. Susan has been the best addition to my garage and is the perfect weekend picnicker.

P.S.- it hauls a full set of wheels too! The Saab 900 is very practical.

• Thule 300 Towers & 50” Cross Bars