Restoration with Boost: The Reimagined 1978 Saab 99 Turbo You Wish You Bought First

A journey that started with a field-find in the US

It began like most great Saab stories – on a forum, far from home. Caspar Hietbrink had been hunting for a Saab 99 Turbo for three years, watching every classified listing like a hawk. He had already missed out on two local cars when he found something unexpected: a black 1978 99 Turbo sitting idle in the United States.

The engine was removed, the car was neglected, but the price and potential made it irresistible. He took a calculated leap. The car was soon on a transporter headed for the Netherlands.

Upon arrival, the Saab showed promise. The odometer read just under 60,000 miles. Even more impressively, the usual rot that plagues European examples—especially the wheel arches—was absent. Sure, there were some problem areas: axle tunnels needed welding, along with a few smaller spots. But in terms of structure, this 99 Turbo was a solid foundation for something much more ambitious.

Building the ultimate 99 Turbo: Hietbrink’s vision

Caspar didn’t just want a restored Saab. He wanted the ultimate Saab 99 Turbo. That vision guided every part of the rebuild. First, he stripped the car completely. Every nut, every bolt. Then came professional welding, followed by a complete respray. Although he personally preferred grey, he chose to stay faithful to the original black, giving the car a sleeper look with a factory pedigree.

Sourcing parts became its own journey. Back then, Tradera still offered a goldmine of affordable New Old Stock (NOS) Saab components. Caspar pounced: bumpers, taillights, the rare rear spoiler, speaker housings, switches, even door handles. The result? A car that feels period-correct but far from tired.

Suspension rebuilt with motorsport-level detail

One look at the underpinnings of this 99 Turbo tells you this is no casual restoration. The entire suspension was overhauled with original Bilstein dampers, brand new bushings, fresh springs, and every component powder-coated for both durability and aesthetics. This wasn’t about simply bolting things back on—this was about precision.

The suspension doesn’t just look new—it drives like a factory-fresh chassis. It rides firm but not harsh, and there’s a crispness in the way the front end responds that even modern Saab drivers would admire. The Saab 99 Turbo was never about floaty comfort. It was about point-and-shoot aggression, especially in boost. This chassis honors that legacy.

Brakes, fuel, and cooling: Functional upgrades with a nod to originality

Alongside the suspension came a full brake system refresh—calipers, rotors, lines. No compromises. The fuel system was converted to Bosch K-Jetronic, a popular modification that eliminates the infamous heat soak issues associated with early US-market 99 Turbos. This upgrade made the car far more usable in traffic and under load, especially during hot weather or spirited driving.

Cooling was also addressed through the addition of a rare, factory-style charge cooler, and although a modern intercooler might offer better efficiency, Caspar chose a solution in keeping with the Saab 99T’s rally heritage. The charge cooler offers a significant performance boost while maintaining an OEM visual balance under the hood.

The drivetrain: Long-ratio box, new turbo, and just the right upgrades

Originally delivered with a Primary 5 gearbox, the Saab eventually received a Primary 7, 4-speed long-ratio transmission. That change alone transformed the car into a true Autobahn cruiser. At 120 km/h, the engine sits comfortably, ready to spool into boost without sounding frantic.

The engine itself was rebuilt with care, and a new turbocharger was installed. In its current state, the car produces around 175 HP, which is significantly more than stock, but perfectly matched to the chassis and gearing. A custom 2.5″ exhaust system from the rear damper was fabricated to mimic the look and sound of the original 99 Turbo exhaust—an example of the project’s balance between subtlety and character.

Assembled by a Saab specialist: Bas Autotechniek

While Caspar handled much of the disassembly and sourcing, the reassembly was entrusted to Bas Smit of Bas Autotechniek, a known name in the Dutch Saab scene. Bas ensured that everything clicked together the way it should. Not just functionally, but also with an eye for long-term reliability. From torque specs to cable routing, this was a shop build without the shop shortcuts.

The car passed Dutch registration inspection without drama—a testament to the quality of work. At one point, the car was even fitted with an original water injection kit, though that feature was later removed during the second stage of upgrades. It speaks volumes that Caspar returned to Bas after the first rebuild, looking for an even sharper edge in handling and throttle response.

Life after restoration: 10,000 kilometers of joy

Since the restoration, this 1978 Saab 99 Turbo has traveled about 10,000 kilometers. Not trailered. Not coddled. Driven. And that is the greatest compliment any Saab can receive.

Caspar emphasizes that this car was never meant to be a museum piece. It was always about the drive. The cornering. The high-gear acceleration. The sensation that only a Saab 99 Turbo can provide when it’s in top form.

But life changes. Caspar owns another Saab—a 900 Turbo S he’s had for over 18 years—and this car doesn’t fit his daily rhythm anymore. Especially since his dog can’t ride in it. That’s why this remarkable machine is now up for sale.

For the next custodian: What this car offers

This isn’t just a rebuilt classic. It’s a benchmark example. A black-on-red Saab 99 Turbo with the right parts, right mindset, and right execution. It comes with the original delivery pipe for the charge cooler. Every detail has been considered, including the aesthetics of the rear damper’s pipework.

If you’re hunting for a show car to trailer from concours to concours, look elsewhere. But if you want something that blends heritage, engineering, and that uniquely Saab turbo feel, then Caspar’s car delivers in spades. At an asking price of €44,991 (~$48,500 USD), this car is more than fairly positioned in the world of vintage European turbos.

And best of all? It’s ready to drive. Today.

Final thoughts: A rare opportunity with a real Saab soul

It’s hard to overstate how rare it is to find a Saab 99 Turbo in this condition, with this level of care behind it. Caspar didn’t build this car for profit. He built it because he had a vision of what a Saab 99 Turbo should be. And now, that vision is up for grabs.

This is the type of restoration that deserves attention—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s right. In a sea of poorly documented “restored” classics, this one stands out for its transparency, detail, and soul.

For more information, the listing is available at: Autoscout24 – 1978 Saab 99 2.0 Turbo CombiCoupe

If you’ve ever wanted to own a 99 Turbo that drives as well as it looks, now’s the time to act.

A related Saab story revived after decades

If you enjoyed this look at the 1978 Saab 99 Turbo coming back to life, you might also appreciate another remarkable rescue — a 1987 Saab 900 Turbo that spent 23 years untouched in a Swedish garage before receiving its first sunlight and full revival. The full story, including the car’s family history and the meticulous restoration work, is now available on SaabPlanet: read about the 1987 Saab 900 Turbo rediscovered after 23 years.