SAAB Clubs

40 Years of Turbo Power: Celebrating Saab at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024

A tribute to Saab’s pioneering turbocharged power and engineering legacy, showcased at the UK's biggest classic car event.

Saab cars at NEC Classic Motor Show 2024

The NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, UK is the biggest classic car show in the UK, with over 3000 vehicles and 70,000 people attending over three days. This year, the event celebrated its 40th anniversary, which led me to think, “Are there any Saab 40th anniversaries we could also celebrate on the Saab Owners Club of Great Britain stand?”. Well, there was. I had just written a book for the 40th anniversary of the Saab 900 T16S (Aero), but rather than just celebrate a model within the 900 range, why don’t we celebrate 40 years of turbo 16 power?

Detail from The NEC Classic Motor Show

The B202 2-litre, 16-valve, turbocharged engine was an engineering first for an automotive company. Up to this point, no other car manufacturer had managed to tame the turbo enough to create a high-compression, turbocharged, 16-valve engine that would be suitable for use in a reliable production family car. Let’s not forget that the 2-litre, 16-valve, turbocharged engine has formed the mainstay of so many car brands output right up to the electric revolution, and it all started in 1984 with Saab.

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Matt's Saab 900 Turbo S

On display we had the first 900T16S—a very rare model year 1984 in silver owned by Fraser Hart. This particular car was built in July 1984 at the Valmet factory in Finland before being improved and modernised with later running gear. Fraser drove the car back from Finland to the UK himself.

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The first Saab 900T16S
The first Saab 900T16S

Next we have a 1985 black example owned by Paul Davies. Paul is a huge Saab fan and has his own Youtube channel (@KemoSAABe) and was busy filming the event over the three days. Expect to see a full video report soon.

 

1985 Saab 900
1985 Saab 900

Me move to the facelifts and my own Talladega red 1990 model. Dressed for the occasion with genuine Saab roof bars and, of course, skis—it is winter after all!

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Matt Searle's stunning red 1990 Saab 900 Turbo 16S
Matt Searle’s stunning red 1990 Saab 900 Turbo 16S

Finally, we have Tom Klimes Ruby limited edition. One of the last 150 run-out examples and looking magnificent under the exhibition lights with its amazing fresh paint job.

Saab 900 Ruby Edition
Saab 900 Ruby Edition

It was also great to see Susie Rawding on Friday—the daughter of Eric Carlsson and Pat Moss—who was delighted to receive a copy of my book ICON.

Susie Rawding on Friday—the daughter of Eric Carlsson and Pat Moss
Susie Rawding on Friday—the daughter of Eric Carlsson and Pat Moss

The public really enjoyed talking to us on the stand and learning more about Saab’s rich history of groundbreaking firsts. The B202L was just one of many, and I, for one, don’t think Saab gets enough recognition for all that they achieved. Hopefully we will do more of these themed displays with the Saab Owners Club of Great Britain and continue to spread the word.

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Matt Searle
the authorMatt Searle

18 Comments

  • My dad had one in mid 80’s. Quite soon replaced by white MY 1985 2-door 900i (8 valve injection). Neighbours didn’t notice the change.

  • Renault turbo používal minimálně o 4 roky déle. Ale oba mají zásluhu na propagaci tohoto systému, kterému se všichni bránili…😂

  • My dad had a black 99 turbo coupe —don’t get me wrong it was tired and near the end of it life,but god it could go for the size of it ….was a handful in the wet if you were gunning it —

  • There are two companies that made cars in Sweden, the ones found in the slow lane and the ones found in the fast lane. I know that there were some quick Volvo’s but SAAB’s generally were the ones in the fast lane. I know mine was often engaged in a ‘discussion’ with much faster machinery that proved in the end, not to be.

  • I have always loved the look of the Ruby special addition. Ofcourse I don’t think I will ever see one here in the US. I could make a tribute/clone some day but it would be LHD.

  • Beat a 911S in a street race in my normally aspirated but modified Saab Sonnet lll. A second after I pulled up to the stoplight, the 911 pulled up next to us. A young chap in the passenger’s seat yelled out, “who ARE you, man!?!?”

    • I had a 1989 900. It was an ordinary looking 5 door lot, but the previous owner had spent a small fortune on upgraded turbo, intercooler, red APC, bilsteins, etc. It went like a stabbed rat and handled so well too. It was huge fun at traffic lights, fooled and embarrassed other drivers in equal measure!

  • Fab weekend !
    Was lucky enough to get 2 signatures in my “Driver” Mag too.
    Cheers Elli & Shaw for the chat on stand

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