When it comes to uncovering hidden Saab stories, few do it with more dedication than Marcus and Manuela. Through their YouTube channel, they’ve been documenting unique Saab builds and enthusiasts from all corners of the world – often going where no other camera crews would bother to look. On their latest journey, the trail led them to Reykjavik, Iceland, where a long-lost Monte Carlo Yellow Saab 9000 was quietly being prepared for its first drive in nearly two decades.
An Icelandic Saab rebirth in the shadow of volcanoes
In the outskirts of Reykjavik, Iceland, surrounded by lava fields and chilling winds, a long-dormant Saab 9000 has reawakened. But this isn’t just another restoration story. This Monte Carlo Yellow 1989 Saab 9000 CC—equipped with an airflow kit, leather interior, and powered by a B202 turbo engine—is the result of nearly two decades of meticulous, emotional labor by one man: the president of the Icelandic Saab Club.
Originally purchased in 2003 as a family car, the 9000 served its duty before being retired when a newer Saab 9-5 replaced it. What followed was an 18-year saga of neglect, revival, stalling, and finally, resurrection—motivated by a simple but powerful request: “Dad, can you drive me to my graduation in the yellow Saab?”
From family hauler to secret project car
The 1989 Saab 9000 CC was never meant to be anything extraordinary. Bought to accommodate a growing family, it was used as a daily driver until a newer model took its place. Then it sat. And sat. The idea to restore it was not born overnight, but slowly emerged as a labor of love. What began as a few small repairs—brakes, rust spots—evolved into a full respray, bodywork, and the fitting of a Carlsson/Airflow body kit, all painted in striking Monte Carlo Yellow, a hue more associated with the classic Saab 900 Convertible.
What makes this project even more remarkable is that it was kept under wraps. Not even the local Saab community knew it existed until Marcus and Manuela from the Saab YouTube channel stumbled upon it during their May 2025 trip to Reykjavik.
Under the hood: Saab’s most underrated turbo engine
The heart of this revived 9000 is the legendary B202 turbo engine, paired with a Mitsubishi turbocharger. This particular setup, the owner insists, is what makes it his favorite Saab engine configuration ever.
“The Garrett T3 took longer to spool. This one—instant torque, better acceleration, and incredible longevity.”
This isn’t just enthusiasm speaking. The B202 turbo with the Mitsubishi setup is known among Saab purists for its linear power delivery, reliability, and efficient fuel consumption—traits that earned Saab a reputation for engineering cars that could outrun and outlast German rivals on less fuel.
The emotional push: A graduation deadline
What finally pushed the owner to get the car road-ready wasn’t a car show, or a Saab meet—but a deeply personal milestone. His daughter, never before interested in his passion projects, surprised him with a request: “Can you drive me to my graduation in the Saab?”
It was the spark he needed.
With just three weeks to go, the final hurdles remained: replacing the windshield, finishing the headliner, reinstalling the sunroof, and getting the inspection plates from Icelandic authorities. Despite the cold May winds of Iceland and garage-time stretched between family duties and full-time work, he got it done.
A president’s legacy: Building a Saab culture in Iceland
This story isn’t just about a car. It’s about the man behind it—the founder and president of the Icelandic Saab Club, a group that began with 12 cars on May 28, 2005, and once gathered 40+ cars for its 10-year anniversary. Over the years, as Saabs disappeared from the roads, so too did regular meetups, eventually merging with Volvo enthusiasts.
Yet, in this garage, surrounded by old club notebooks, original Saab parts, and memories, the culture stays alive. The project car itself is a manifestation of that spirit: Saab ownership not as consumerism, but as continuity, conviction, and craft.
Family garage, Swedish history
The garage where the Saab 9000 came back to life has its own story. The house it belongs to once served as the official residence of the Swedish Embassy in Reykjavik. From 1977 until the early 2000s, only Volvos and Saabs parked there.
Fittingly, the current owner continues that legacy. Not out of duty, but out of pure love. His garage currently holds 7 running Saabs, with several more waiting their turn—including a 1990 Saab 900 Turbo 3-door and a donor car providing interior parts for the yellow 9000.
Iceland’s Saab paradox: rarity and resilience
The Icelandic Saab scene is shrinking. With only a few dozen cars left on the road, and regulations soon to ban imports of combustion cars, the clock is ticking for acquiring or restoring any more classics. Yet, Saab culture here feels alive, perhaps because it must fight harder to survive.
Even parts aren’t easy to come by. Most are sourced online from Holland, the UK, or Denmark. The cost of shipping and Icelandic taxes doesn’t deter the hardcore owners. As our Icelandic host jokes:
“I pay with joy. I enjoy paying the taxes for Saab parts.”
Plans for the future: Saab Festival 2026 and beyond
The freshly restored Monte Carlo Yellow 9000 isn’t just a showpiece. It has a mission. The plan is to ship it to Sweden for the 2026 Saab Festival, where its unique look and backstory are guaranteed to attract attention.
This is where the story goes full circle—from a local garage to the global Saab stage.
“Nobody else wants to see this car except the people who gather at Saab Festival,” said his wife, urging him to commit to the trip.
The answer was a resounding yes.
Beyond nostalgia: The future of Saab in Iceland
Electric cars are rising. Combustion bans are looming. And the Saab fleet is aging. But what this story proves is that Saab culture is not just about keeping cars alive—it’s about keeping a mindset alive.
In a world where most people would scrap a rusted, idle sedan, this man turned it into a promise delivered. A statement. A moment.
And on May 23rd, 2025, as his daughter stepped into the freshly painted yellow Saab 9000 for her graduation, that moment was sealed—not just in family memory, but in Saab history.
Monte Carlo? Not the one that won the big race