What makes a Classic 900 an aero?

[NickDorset]

I recently acquired a 91 J '900 S Turbo'. Thats the description on the log book. The insurance document I noticed however (presumably based on the reg) describes it as an '900 S Aero Turbo'. So I wondered what makes a car an 'Aero'? I'd like to check and see if mine is and tell the insurance if so (if it matters).

[john]

It has a bodykit on it and three-spoke 16" alloys? Sounds like an Aero. Back then, Aero referred to the bodykit in the same way that "airflow" did on later models. At least, that is my understanding. Others might be able to provide further clarification.

My 900S lpt was on the V5 as a "Saab 900 Turbo 16 S", but it was not a T16S as we know it.

[NickDorset]

Hi. Nope, it has no body kit and 15 spoke alloys.

[mark e]

IIRC the "Aero" designation was applied to lpt (145hp) turbos, not FPTs. According to this table, it was MY91-93, and the full model name is a 900 S Aero LPT.

HTH

[markcanderson]

It should be noted that the table mentioned above only refers to UK specification cars.

Since in other markets, things mentioned as 'Standard' were 'Optional' and things mentioned as 'Optional' were 'Standard', if you catch my drift .

Turbo S 16V 2.0 FPT classics in 3 doors were usually fitted with the 'aero' body kit as per the first T16S flat front cars from 1985 over here.

But it's also true that one could order an LPT 3 door with the 'Aero' kit too.

Back then, the designation 'Aero' only referred to the the body kit.

What sorts the men from the boys is the badge 'Turbo S' on the rump.

[NickDorset]

Ok...I am getting a bit confused now. So I will try and work thru the table and figure out what it is, thanks for that link!

It has no body kit, 15 spoke (not 3 spoke) alloys, no airon or cruise control, cloth seats. The badge on the back says 900 S (no mention of a turbo there). The guy that sold it me who seems to know rather a lot about them did say it was a LPT and did have a handling kit.

[Jezzadee]

You have a C900 Aero, which is an LPT (Welcome to a fairly select club ). Basically with C900's an Aero in the UK is always an LPT. Aero's in many European countries were FPT - what we call the T16S in the UK. An SPG in the US is the same as an Aero in Europe and a T16S in the UK. There were also some N/A 900i models called Aero in Australia. It is odd you don't have a bodykit, but the absence of cruise, aircon, leather and so on is normal on an Aero as they were all options, as was the sports suspension as used on a T16S. To confirm that yours is an LPT just look at the dash where the fuel/temp gauge is - if there is no boost gauge you have an LPT. I would definitely tell the insurance it is an Aero LPT as you could end up paying less because it is not a full turbo, although this would depend on the company.

Welcome to Saabscene

[NickDorset]

Hi Jezzadee

>>To confirm that yours is an LPT just look at the
>>dash where the fuel/temp gauge is - if there is
>>no boost gauge you have an LPT.

Thats correct, there is no boost gauge. So its a LPT then, as the seller said, so that means its an Aero. Cool. Thanks!

[potto]

Not convinced . IIRC 900 S Aero LPT definitely had the T16S bodykit and the "curved" 3 spoke 15" wheels (with the tear drop hole)??

Looked just like a T16S but with the different wheels, higher ride height and didn't have the magic S badge on the back, as the T16S did at that time (but not previously)

Or am I suffering from terminal Brain Fade...again?

[Stunut1]

Originally posted by NickDorset:
[qb]It has no body kit, [/qb][/b]

No side panels whatsoever? No fixing rails? Does it just have the dark plastic rubbing strip running along the side? If no bodykit then it's either not an Aero or the kit has been removed.

This is what a LPT Aero bodykit looks like - just disregard the 16" wheels, whaletail spoiler, vent covers and mud flaps - they're optional extras



The S Aero came with 15" Aero alloys as standard along with a body kit and uprated suspension. Yes, it was a LPT - hence no boost gauge on the dash.

[adrian]

Stunut1 - remind me what tyres were you running on those 16inch rims and what suspension did you have fitted.

Car looks fab - must get round to fit the spare set of 16inch Aero wheels to my cab.

[Stunut1]

Originally posted by Adrian:
[qb]Stunut1 - remind me what tyres were you running on those 16inch rims and what suspension did you have fitted.

Car looks fab - must get round to fit the spare set of 16inch Aero wheels to my cab. [/qb][/b]

Alas, the car is no longer mine - tis now in the posession of TheFox: I was running the car everyday so had 205/50/16 Ventus tyres on, but I believe Foxy has gone for something in the same size but a bit more grippy that will do less mileage (I'm sure he'll be along presently to let us know he's looking after my car )

Suspension was SachsBoge advantage shocks and SachsBoge sports springs all round.

Every time I see that pic I can't help but think I've made a decision that I'll regret for the rest of my life.

[NickDorset]

Hi Stunut1. See pic attached, you can see no bodykit, seemed easier than explaining. The badge on the back says 900 S then 16 valve. Mine is not as clean and shiny as your black one but we still like her

[tandino]

Nick - your car is a 900S LPT - defo not an Aero as your missing the wheels and kit....

[wrighar]

Also note that in 1993 thgere was a NA 128bhp aero model...

see here http://194.202.64.59/wright/saab900i.htm and here http://194.202.64.59/wright/saab900t.htm

Andrew