The Last of the Classic 900 Line — and One of the Best Left
This 1993 Saab 900 T16S Ruby, #128 of just 150 examples built exclusively for the UK, represents the final chapter of the classic 900 lineage. Unlike the countless modified or rust-weary examples scattered across classifieds, this Ruby remains a factory-correct, rust-free survivor, presented by a man who knows Saabs as few do: Sean Pepper, a 38-year Saab Workshop veteran with a flawless track record selling Saabs and parts on eBay.
Offered at £16,000, this car is pitched as the best Ruby currently for sale worldwide. And given its condition, history, and the seller’s credentials, that claim isn’t hyperbole—it’s fact.
For background on the Ruby’s unique specification and production context, see our earlier coverage of the model’s origin story here.
What Makes the Ruby Edition Unique?
The Ruby was built as a farewell tribute to the original 900, with a blend of understated style and serious performance. All 150 came with:
- 185 hp Carlsson-spec 2.0-liter turbo engine, offering a surge of midrange torque few 1990s sedans could match.
- Distinctive Ruby Red paint and bumpers paired with 16-inch Aero wheels.
- Zegna wool-insert leather upholstery and walnut trim, elevating the interior beyond standard T16S fare.
- VIN coding unique to the Ruby run, with this example wearing the only VIN to end in “900,” a detail certain to matter to collectors.
For more on auction values and the Ruby’s rising desirability, see our report on a recent Bonhams sale here.
Provenance That Sets It Apart
Unlike many classics that come with patchy or incomplete histories, this Ruby is meticulously documented. Its mileage stands at just over 115,000 miles, with every single fuel fill, service, and oil change logged by hand since 1993. The file includes factory manuals, alarm paperwork, music system guides, and even the original owner’s notations and accessories—from cassette tapes to a door pocket stash of Mint Imperials.
Sean Pepper, the current and third owner, has cared for the car over the past three years, following two decades of stewardship by an elderly Saab enthusiast who drove it sparingly (averaging just 1,000 miles annually). The result is a car that feels as honest as it is rare.
Rust-Free and Mechanically Ready
Classic 900s are notorious for corrosion, but this Ruby has never required welding—and it shows. The car was recently lifted, steam-cleaned, and treated with a fresh coat of clear Waxoyl across the underbody and wheel arches at a cost of £400. It is, by all accounts, rot-free in every critical area, a claim that very few Rubies can make 32 years after leaving the line.
Recent mechanical work includes:
- Complete brake overhaul (discs and pads)
- New fuel pump, fuel filter, and pressure regulator
- Replacement lambda sensor and battery
Pepper notes that the engine bay is the cleanest he’s seen on a Ruby in years, and the car’s clutch, gearbox, and brakes operate with the crispness these cars rarely retain.
A Time Capsule Interior and Period-Correct Accessories
Beyond the Ruby-specific upholstery and trim, this car carries rare, factory-correct Saab accessories, including:
- Nardi mahogany and leather sports steering wheel (with the original Ruby wheel included)
- Triple instrument gauge cluster
- Original Grundig radio/cassette head unit
- Wind deflector and vent covers
- Tow bar and rear reflector panel
The interior retains personal touches from the previous long-term owner, a reminder of the car’s continuous, enthusiast-driven history rather than showroom sterilization.
How It Drives
Pepper’s verdict carries weight: after nearly four decades of working on and driving classic Saabs—including Carlssons, convertibles, and numerous T16S Aeros—he calls this the best 900 he’s ever driven. He emphasizes its smooth gear changes, light clutch action, sharp brakes, and effortless ride, all while delivering the nostalgia-soaked sensations that make the classic 900 so compelling.
Crucially, it’s not just a garage ornament. Pepper believes this Ruby can serve as a practical, everyday car for a committed Saab enthusiast, or as a pampered collectible ready for the show circuit.
The Market Case: Is £16,000 Justified?
Some might flinch at the asking price, but context matters. A comparable Ruby sold at Bonhams in April 2025 for £14,363 (around $18,000), without the same level of documentation, corrosion protection, or specialist backing. Considering the trajectory of classic 900 values—and the Ruby’s limited production and growing collector status—Pepper’s asking price feels realistic, especially given the VIN’s uniqueness and the car’s preservation.
Most decent Rubies today sit in the £10,000–£12,000 range, but those cars often require bodywork, lack service histories, or show evidence of hasty maintenance. An all-original, rust-free, fully documented example like this one is precisely the sort of car that could break the £20,000 barrier in coming years.
Inspection and Contact Details
The car will be sold with a fresh service, a full MOT, and can be driven away immediately. The registration “L900 RUB” is included, adding to the car’s collectible cachet. For serious buyers, Pepper invites inspections and test drives, and is open to having the car professionally valeted for those who prefer a cleaner presentation over originality.
Interested parties can reach Sean Pepper directly at 0771 190 0016.
Why This Ruby Deserves Attention
With its combination of originality, rust-free condition, documented history, and a seller whose reputation precedes him, this Ruby isn’t just another classic Saab. It’s a benchmark example of the last—and arguably best—iteration of the classic 900. For enthusiasts, investors, or drivers seeking a piece of Saab history that still feels at home on modern roads, this is a car worth serious consideration.
