It is an 86 SPG. I have never had a pre 87 car. I am not sure what I will do with it. I could install all 87+ stuff on it. I have an extra AirFlow kit, wheels, suspension and lights. But I have seen a few cars with out bumpers that look really cool. I only paid $500 for it and it drives great. Honesty the body is more solid than my car . Anyway I have to rebuild my Porsche transmission first. I worked cleaning it last night. It is NASTY. Simple Green and the pressure washer did not make a dent. Does oven cleaner work?

nice find

Sweet pickup!

My 86 had some battle scars and was a little on the crunchy side in places but it was one of the most fun 900s I've ever driven. I vote keep it looking pre-facelift (though the no bumpers is definitely cool) but maybe consider upgrading the suspension to 87+ as the early brakes really are a PITA.

Awesome! I was actually considering backdating my last '90 SPG to the 85-86 flat nose look - I love it. Ended up buying an '80 900 instead. I did own an '85 SPG once - picked it up for free as a parts car, but man that car wouldn't die. Still started after 10+ years sitting. Whatever you end up doing, post a build thread.

Very cool!

I've used oven cleaner to de-carbonize turbine housings before, it should work ok if you've got some laying around. The foamy engine degreaser is a little pricey but does work well.

Nice find! I had an '86 just like that one. Really sun baked, but no rust.
I did the 88> brake update, but probably wouldn't do it again unless it was to be a track car.

Flatnoses forever!

John

One of my daily drivers is an 86 SPG with about 300,000 miles on it (speedometer quit working a couple of years ago). It has Wilwood brakes on the front. It towed eight of the nine 99s from the field in Argyle a couple of years ago.

Jon1 wrote:One of my daily drivers is an 86 SPG with about 300,000 miles on it (speedometer quit working a couple of years ago). It has Wilwood brakes on the front. It towed eight of the nine 99s from the field in Argyle a couple of years ago.

Jon, do you have any towing or Wilwood pictures?

Jon , I am totally impressed if you are actually using a tow dolly and a C900 as a tow vehicle for those project hauls. I have not used a tow dolly in years since I bought the pickup and trailer as my primary SAAB SAVER rig.
Years ago like in 1968-72 I used to haul my 59 SAAB 93 B hill climb car on a tow bar behind my 63 96 2 stroke. Went up a few hills towing in low gear. Then switched to an old 50's Buick straight 8 with OD trans.
Many times I wish I still had all those old cars, but we move on to new old cars I guess.

Happy New Year to all who read this post and let the SAAB projects prosper for the New Year.

Gary these towing photos are not staged, I have towed over 30 Saabs, among other things, with that 86 SPG. Towing the milling machine was the most nerve racking of all, but it was only 5 miles. I assumed it was under 1000 pounds, and took it off the trailer with my engine crane, then I found out it was over 2000 pounds. It took me about four hours to move it about eight feet inside my garage after unloading it.

Jon1 wrote:Gary these towing photos are not staged, I have towed over 30 Saabs, among other things, with that 86 SPG. Towing the milling machine was the most nerve racking of all, but it was only 5 miles. I assumed it was under 1000 pounds, and took it off the trailer with my engine crane, then I found out it was over 2000 pounds. It took me about four hours to move it about eight feet inside my garage after unloading it.

I saw that Bridgeport on the trailer and just about fell over. Trailer brakes? Who needs those when you have a Saab.
Never tried it, but heard if you use a bunch of same dia 4 foot pipes you can roll that mill anywhere. Assuming the floor is solid and fairly smooth.

Jon,
I own the same model tow dolly! Too bad it's so high, it's hell on airdams. I used to tow 99's and 900's all the time w/both my 78 GLE and my 86 SPG,
but now that I have the Astro, it has picked up all the towing duties. Towed a 9000 CSE(Aero) back from Salem, OR last month, love that van...

John

John, I fabricated some ramps from 2x8s for the tow dolly so I can retrieve my Airflow cars, should I need to, without removing the front bumpers.