1983 Saab 900 Turbo resto-mod looks the business
But the owner has said the design concept is a one-off and not available to buyThe original Saab 900 was one of the strangest looking vehicles ever to grace Australian roads in both pre- and post-facelift guises, so we’re delighted to say the swanky Swede has had new life breathed into its design via the world of digital graphic design.
What you see here is a mock-up previewing a one-off resto-mod bodykit being built for a 1983 Saab 900 Turbo in Belgium, and it’s fair to say the design has captured the hearts of many.
Dozens of comments have been left on Instagram praising the block-nosed 900’s athletic new look and asking if it will be possible to buy the kit – to which the answer is a resounding no, because at this stage it’s a one-off special designed for and by this particular owner.
It’s not clear how the kit will be produced or by whom, but the easiest way to describe it would be as a modern reimagination of the classic Aero and Carlson packages available on 900 Turbos back in the day, especially the later 16-valve versions.
Comparing the rendered design with the already modified donor vehicle, it seems almost every panel will be replaced or altered in some way, along with a revised front bumper, wider whale-tail spoiler and new wheels.
The owner intends the new looks to match the extensive mechanical work already done to the car, which has yielded new outputs of 189kW/402Nm at the front wheels – compared to the original car’s 107kW/235Nm at the flywheel.
Helping contain the extra grunt are some significantly wider tyres and wheel tracks, which will eventually be encompassed by flared guards at both ends and should pay dividends when the owner heads north of 224kW.
When they do, the render shows there’ll be a half rollcage behind the front seats, which suggests the famous ‘turbo turtle’ could be in line for some track work and make it an even meaner streetcar than it already is.
Produced between 1978 and 1993, the first-generation Saab 900 was renowned for its blend of usable performance, practicality and safety – especially in Turbo and Turbo 16S guises.
There are 14 examples of the original Saab 900 currently listed for sale on carsales, including a decent spread of powertrains and body styles and even a couple of full-fat Aeros.
Join the conversation at
Or email us at
Or email us at
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
