My Saab

Saab 900 EMS: A Rare Classic Car

A stunning front fascia of the rare Saab 900 EMS modelA stunning front fascia of the rare Saab 900 EMS model

Adrian Stokes, a Saab enthusiast, has recently restored his 1980 Saab 900 EMS, a rare classic car with only 117,000 miles covered over its 43 years of existence.

The car is equipped with a 2.0-liter ‘B’ engine, a four-speed manual gearbox, and a Bosch mechanical fuel injection system that generates 118bhp.

The car has undergone extensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishments. It has new or reconditioned parts, including Bilstein shock absorbers, coil springs, exhaust system, brake callipers, and bushes.

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Both front inner and outer wings/wheel-arches have been replaced with rust-free panels, rust-free doors and hatchback fitted, and repair panels fabricated for inner, rear arches. It has also had a full respray in the original Carmine red metallic paint, making it stand out among other classic cars.

The interior is equally impressive, with recovered headlining and rear quarter panels, velour seats in great condition, an original and crack-free dashboard, and a brand-new windscreen. The car comes with its original Pioneer radio/cassette player, a Pioneer graphic equaliser, and four speakers. It also has an original metal, sliding sunroof.

Saab 900 EMS is in excellent condition, and Carmine red is such a pretty color.
Saab 900 EMS is in excellent condition, and Carmine red is such a pretty color.

The car retains its original twin vent bonnet, adding to its value as a classic car. It comes with its V5, original service card, owners handbook in a plastic wallet, and an A4 folder containing invoices and old MOT certificates dating back to 1987.

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Adrian’ Idea

Adrian’ intention was to use the car regularly as his daily driver, but he needs to raise funds due to his recent purchase of a house. He asked fellow Saab enthusiasts for their opinion on the value of the car and if there would be any interest in buying it.

Adrian invested a lot of time, effort and money in the restoration of the car
Adrian invested a lot of time, effort and money in the restoration of the car

The Saab 900 EMS was a limited production model, making it a sought-after classic car for Saab enthusiasts. It is a rare find, especially in the condition that Adrian has restored it to. Its value will depend on several factors, including its rarity, condition, and the demand for the model.

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History of Saab 900 EMS

The Saab 900 EMS was introduced in 1979 as a limited edition sports model. The EMS stood for Electronic Management System, which was a new innovation at that time. It was equipped with a Bosch mechanical fuel injection system, which gave it a horsepower boost of up to 118bhp, making it more powerful than its predecessors.

The 900 EMS also had stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, and an improved gearbox. These features made the car a joy to drive and a favorite among sports car enthusiasts.

Saab 900 EMS Value

A quick search on classic car trading websites shows that the Saab 900 EMS is valued between £4,000 to £10,000 in the UK. However, the car’s condition, mileage, and history can increase its value.

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Adrian Stokes’ Saab 900 EMS is a unique find because of its low mileage, limited production, and extensive refurbishments. The car’s value could be between £10,000 and £15,000, but it could be higher depending on the demand for the model.

If Adrian Stokes decides to sell his Saab 900 EMS, he can expect to receive a lot of interest from Saab enthusiasts who appreciate the car’s rarity, history, and condition.

Instead of a conclusion

The car has some unique features that make it rare and valuable to collectors. Adrian’ restored Saab 900 EMS is a rare classic car that will attract the attention of Saab enthusiasts. The car’s extensive refurbishments, low mileage, and limited production make it a sought-after model. Its value could range between £10,000 and £15,000, but it could be higher depending on the demand for the model.

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Goran Aničić
the authorGoran Aničić
For over 15 years, Goran Aničić has been passionately focused on Saab automobiles and everything related to them. His initial encounter with Saab cars took place back in 2003 when the first Saab 9-3 and sedan version were introduced. At that moment, he was captivated by the car's Scandinavian design logic and top-notch engineering, and everything that followed stemmed from that first encounter. Later on, through his work at the editorial team of the Serbian automotive magazines "Autostart" and later "AutoBild," he had the opportunity to engage more closely with Saab vehicles. In 2008, he tested the latest Saab cars of that time, such as the Saab 9-3 TTiD Aero and Saab 9-3 Turbo X. In 2010, as the sole blogger from the region, he participated in the Saab 9-5ng presentation in Trollhättan, Sweden. Alongside journalists from around the world, he got a firsthand experience of the pinnacle of technological offerings from Saab at that time. Currently, Goran owns two Saabs: a 2008 Saab 9-3 Vector Sportcombi with a manual transmission, and a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin Sport Sedan from the last generation, which rolled off the production line in Trollhättan in December 2011.

5 Comments

  • Had a 1979 900ems ruby/purple in 1986 age 21.. a couple of 96v4’s before that, now in a 9-3 convertible.The 900 ems would be my favourite easily, was told back then it stood for Electronic Manual Sport but not sure.

  • EMS stood for Electronic Management System? No, it never ever meant that. Did Saab Planet make that up? It has been Electronic Manual Special since 1972 when it was introduced.

  • The story I had heard was Einspritz, meaning injection was used, but I have never seen a Saab document to corroborate it.

  • The only reference I could come up with on short notice was “Saab: The First Forty Years of Saab Cars” and it matches my recollection of “Electronic.” Unfortunately, I either lost or had to let go a lot of things over the years, so I don’t think it likely I’ll turn up anything unexpected.

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