1993 Saab 900 Turbo Ruby

This 900 was ordered new as the vendor’s company car on 14 October 1993. He’s been the car’s sole custodian ever since and therefore knows the history of this rare machine intimately. This is number 103 of those 150 very limited Ruby Red editions, which were only ever offered to the UK market. Ordered from Saab dealer Ballards of Finchley, the car returned there for much of its life (until 2015) for annual servicing. Thereafter, the extensive service history records stamps from Northern Irish Saab dealers Isaac Agnew and specialist Steve Smyth Saab.

As the vendor has been the car’s custodian from new, he’s keen to point out that it’s never been involved in an accident and hasn’t even been smoked in. It’s only ever been driven by the vendor who is a dedicated SAAB enthusiast, having owned three other 900 Turbos. Also, the licence plate isn’t a personalised plate but the car’s official DVLA-assigned registration, which the vendor agreed via the dealership.

Bought off his company once the hire period expired, this 900 has apparently been maintained on time with prompt servicing and has an advisory-free MoT that runs to February 2025.

Still looking very smart, the Ruby Red exterior of this 900 certainly sets it apart. The colour retains a deep and highly polished finish. The panels all exhibit good even gaps with trim and glass all seemingly present and correct. There are only minor marks to giveaway the car’s 31-year vintage. The front end – especially the leading edge of the bonnet – shows light stone chipping and a little tarnishing of the bumper trim inserts. The rear Saab badge has come loose and will need some fresh adhesive (or a replacement). The distinctive Saab three-spoke alloys look good, only showing mild oxidisation here and there, and are shod in matching Hankook tyres. 

There are some further mild scratches around the driver’s door handle, plus some touched-up scratches between driver’s door and front wing. The latter also shows a few small rust bubbles, but these are very mild in nature. Some more very similar patches of bubbling are present under the nearside mirror and in the bonnet close area of the scuttle.

The cabin of this range-topping 900 shows it was every inch the premium machine back in 1993. The leather stands out for its supple and clean appearance, with just mild patina to the usual driver’s outer bolster seemingly all there is to report. There’s a little more noticeable wear to the gear stick gaiter – likely cured by re-dying the material, as it doesn’t appear to have worn through. The gear knob itself has spun around but we saw a replacement, along with a few other parts, including a spare bulb kit in the glovebox. Aside from a few small scratches in the driver’s door shut, there really does seem to be very little wear to this cabin worth reporting.

Air conditioning is fitted but isn’t currently operating – the vendor was told by a specialist that it likely needs re-gassing. Also, the central locking operates off the key but not the remote. 

Overall, the excellent impression made by this cabin continues with its good carpets, door cards and excellent headlining. While our eyes are on the roof, the vendor tells us that the sunroof also doesn’t work, though the motor can be heard to operate when the button is pushed. The parcel shelf hasn’t been hacked for bigger speakers and the fully trimmed boot area looks near factory fresh with a tool kit, space saver spare wheel and Kenwood CD auto changer all found underneath the pile.

Although we didn’t have the opportunity to drive this 900, it was delivered by the vendor to us, and he reported the following. “I have just added 240 miles, taking it back from Northern Ireland, and it drove smoothly as always. I have deliberately left car without trying to cover any blemishes so that the new owner can see this original car. Since I have driven the car from new, I can guarantee the mileage is completely accurate.”

The engine bay of this 900 does look a little grimy but original, as the vendor states. There are plenty of stickers on components to attest to the latter. The front slam panel, under the bonnet hinge, is showing a little surface corrosion, as are the ignition coil and a few other components. It appears to be a very honest engine bay that looks dirty but dry. If detailing is your thing, then there’s certainly room to improve what’s here. The soundproofing is also present and correct, holding up well to the underside of that suicide-hinged bonnet. 

Underneath proper, the metal appears to be very straight and clean with mainly just light surface corrosion appearing here and there. However, we did spot that the fuel tank straps are overdue replacement, the nearside strap having succumbed to more severe corrosion. There’s a similar patch of more significant rust forming under the offside boot floor too. The front valance has a few rust spots too, but none of the above seemed to worried the MoT tester.

A full owner’s book pack accompanies this highly original 900, with a very near full (and mostly main dealer) service history. Annual service stamps can be charted from new with only a couple missed due to the pandemic (when the car was placed on SORN). Care was entrusted almost exclusively to the supplying dealer (Ballards of Finchley) up to 2015, then specialist (Steve Smyth) has kept care up to date. There’s a large stack of invoices to back up this attention, the last service recorded in October 2023.

The car comes with a selection of enthusiast magazines and club publications (Saab Driver), once more proving the vendor’s claim that he’s a Saab enthusiast. Other than the excellent service schedule, we couldn’t chart any major repairs in this car’s history. The only bills that stood out being a new battery in 2019, new water pump in 2016 and a replacement timing belt in 2022 at 70,282 miles.

The Saab 900 always made for something of an unorthodox choice of performance machine, when compared to its German and Japanese competitors. However, there was something about Saab in the 1980s and 1990s that made it great. Build quality was up there with the very best German brands and yet the distinctive Scandinavian slant on things gave its fans something distinct and appealing.

There aren’t many special edition Saabs out there much rarer or more useable than this Ruby Edition. With its single owner this one comes with an enviable and tracible history from new. For the right Saab enthusiast, which the vendor hopes will become this car’s next custodian, there’s a lot to enjoy, with only a few little things to improve that’ll turn this go-faster Swede into a real show winner. We estimate that it will sell for £11,000-£15,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.