1999 SAAB 9-3 Viggen
One of 426 Built - Just 993 Original Miles From New
Privately Owned 1999-2007, GM Heritage Collection 2008-10
Invited to be part of the Chairman's Invitational Display at Import Carlisle this May

Any car enthusiast not living under a rock in 1999 couldn't have missed SAAB's flagship 'hot hatch' at the top of the revised 9-3 lineup for 1999. The top-spec model during the entire 9-3 run prior to 2003, the first-year Viggen was available only as seen here - in Lightning Blue Metallic - and only in limited numbers, just 426 built.

It should also be noted that 1999 was the last full year that GM did not own 100% of Saab Cars.

Out of tens of thousands of new-gen 900s and 9-3s produced, only the Viggen was made available with the 9-5 Aero's 225 bhp 2.3 liter Turbo engine, the B235. With over 250 ft/lbs of torque at around 2,000 RPM and nearly no turbo spool-up lag thanks to SAAB Trionic and the largest turbo fitted from stock, the 9-3 Viggen remains a potent weapon on the street or track alike.

This Viggen was sold over the Internet in late 1999 by its Ft. Myers, FL dealer to an automobile collector and aerospace engineer who split his time between Oregon and Arizona. The Viggen was shipped to one of his warehouses in the Phoenix area, where it remained in new condition with under 400 miles on the odometer. At one point, he was unable to start the car, so it was towed to the local dealer who performed a number of recalls and service bulletins as well as a fresh round of Michelin Pilot tires - the originals apparently had flat-spotting or dry-rot. These Michelins remain on the car today and exhibit none of these problems.

During late 2007 or early 2008, Dick Balsley, the liason between General Motors and their outsource contractor who maintained the Heritage Collection, bought the car from its collector owner for a number not far from its original purchase price. At that time, the car had right around 400 miles on the odometer. I was the parts vendor to GM Heritage for the 30 or so SAABs they had during that time and I remember when Dick told me he had found this car.

Here's a photo of the Viggen when it landed in Sterling Heights, MI for the first time. Note the Reliable Carriers ticket on the dash.

Here it is parked in the GM Heritage Display at the 2008 SAAB Owners Convention in Devens, MA.

A nice closeup in front of the convention hall.

During the early part of last year, SAAB was sold to Dutch supercar maker Spyker. It quickly became obvious that the cars in the GM Heritage Collection would not convey to the new company and I found myself enlisted to assist the new SAAB Cars North America in picking cars they should keep while helping to find new homes for the remainder. Of these, I facilitated the sale of, sold or purchased ten units. This car was one that I sold to a client of mine in Maryland who relished the opportunity to own a brand-new Viggen 11 years later. It rolled off the transport truck with 470 miles on the odometer.

Just about every car in the GM Heritage Collection had these heavy custom-tailored covers made by Shelby Trim in Sterling Heights. They cost about $2,000 apiece. It goes without saying that it is very durable, padded on the inside and just about completely waterproof. My customer was thrilled to receive this with the car...

About a month ago, my client told me he had the opportunity to buy a new truck for cash at around $20,000 under list. Added to that, he has two home garages and his wife wanted her spot back. We came to an arrangement, I bought the car from him and transported it home in my enclosed trailer. At that time, the car had 908 miles on it. It should be noted that during his short ownership, it visited the Saab dealer in Rockville, MD for a service and a check to make sure all bulletins had been carried out.

I've put 85 miles of mixed driving on this Viggen to ensure all is well. Today, it has 993 miles on the odometer. Apart from a few chips on the wheels (this car has done a number of trips on transport trucks!) and a couple small scratches to the paint beneath the front airdam, all is absolutely as-new.

So... what to do, what to do?

I recently cleaned and conditioned the leather on the seats and door panels - it didn't need cleaning but was a bit dry.

The driver's seat has memory; both seats have lumbar and full power adjustments.

The mileage is from new - the trip-odometer is the mileage since the car came out of GM Heritage (battery was disconnected during storage).

No bad pixels here. Note that this car was ordered without the smoker's package - the socket is still there but no lighter.

Note also the GM North American Operations and Custom Automotive Services keytags. That is the second set of keys. Both remotes work.

Front seats from the right.

Rear seats obviously unused.

The original temp tag was still in the spare tire well.

Original window sticker, owner's manuals and service records.

T he engine bay has not been detailed. The car is as-new.

Again from the left.

And the right.

The trunk compartment with the cover removed.

So Here's The Deal ...

I'm highly tempted to keep this car.

Unfortunately, I won't do that if all I do is park it in the back cover on the tender on the rug with the cover on it.

As a car collector, SAAB enthusiast, parts vendor and car broker who gets it from both sides in this business, I'd like to see before I do start driving this car if there are any collectors who would like to mount and frame this in their museum - or perhaps wants it as a driver more than I do. It is more than likely the lowest-mileage example in existence and is certainly the only one that did duty within the GM Heritage Collection. This, along with its 3-digit mileage, are the reasons it's been invited to the SAABS@Carlisle display this spring. It will always be a centerpiece car at European car events and as the years go by, a more and more relevant supercar.

I'm pretty sure that if you've read this far, you know what this is and that it's in as perfect condition as it could be. There's nothing to hide here even if I wanted to.

Want a new 3-door hatchback Saab turbo with a 5-speed? Too bad, there aren't any. Oh, wait. There's one more. Right here.

Since I can't drive it as far as downtown Richmond without making that fourth 0 turn into a 1, I want to emphasize that

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BUY A FIRST-YEAR VIGGEN WITH FEWER THAN 1,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

It can still have 993 or 994 on the clock when you get it via enclosed transporter. It's your call.

payment/shipping

Payment must be received (in my account) in full no later than seven days following auction close. Accepted forms of payment are cash, cleared cashier's cheque in my account or Bank of America wire/electronic funds transfer. No exceptions, period. If you need financing, it must be in place prior to your placing any bid. Period. There is no 'cooling-off period' allowed. If you bid, you are legally responsible to follow through.

Whew. I'm glad we got past that and are still friends.

Shipping - if you live within 250 miles of Richmond, VA, I'll carry this to you in my enclosed trailer for $2/mile. Otherwise, I recommend you use a professional service such as Exotic Car Transport, Reliable Carriers (they know this car!), Curves Ahead, Powered by Norm, Passport Transport, Intercity Lines or similar. You may fly in and pick this up or bring your own trailer. I'm more than happy to help you with this short of making your arrangements for you.

Whatever you do, I'd like to see the taillights within 14 days of auction close unless alternate arrangements are made with me in advance of your bid.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?

E-MAIL ME OR CALL 804-357-4926