NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 – A celebration four decades in the making
Launched in 1984, the NEC Classic Motor Show is now the world’s biggest classic vehicle club event. The show is the ‘Grand Finale’ to the classic car season, where car and motorcycle clubs show off their cherished vehicles before they are put away for the winter.
It regularly attracts over 70,000 visitors over the 3 days from across the UK, Ireland and beyond the English Channel. With over 3,000 cars on display, it’s only right that the Saab Owners Club of Great Britain have a display. This year they were celebrating 40 years since the 9000 went on sale in the UK.
The spotlight on Saab 9000 Turbo-16
The 9000 was launched at the Motorfair at Earls Court, London in October 1985. As such, all UK deliveries were model year 1986 examples (model years running from September to August). On display on the Saab Owners Club of GB stand was an early and very rare Turbo-16 example registered on the 25th October 1985. In beautifully standard condition finished in Pearl White – a colour only available for a single year and deleted due to problems with repair paint matching. The Colorado red leather interior was in equally exceptionable condition.
For too long, the 9000 has lived in the shadow of the 900, perhaps because of its joint development with Fiat Automobiles, it’s not perceived as a ‘pure Saab’. But let’s be honest, it apparently only shares seven parts with the Italian models and was substantially re-engineered to a ‘Saab standard’. Arguably it’s a better car than the 900 anyway!
It’s only right that the Club gives it some time to shine.
Saab’s evolution: from 93B to Carlsson
The 9000 was one of four cars on the stand. Joining it was a very early Saab 93B De Luxe from 1959.
Owned for 30 years by a Saab employee in Trollhatten before being imported to the UK in 2022. After many years of storage, it has been returned to the road this year. A wonderful car and a visual reminder of how Saab cars developed over the years.
The final two cars were both Saab 900 Carlssons. This UK dealer special edition was available from 1990 to 1992 and was based on a T16S with a host of option extras including the hard-to-miss larger aero body kit. Officially available in black, red or white, it’s unusual to see two cars of the same model on the stand, but they suited each other perfectly and were a constant crowd puller. Definitely the ‘poster boys’ of the Saab world! What makes these two cars even more special is that they are family-owned being passed from father to son – maybe grandchildren next?
A thriving community, not just nostalgia
Once again, the NEC Classic Motor Show proved a huge success. Visitor numbers to the Saab Owners Club Stand were as large as ever, proving the love for the brand is still strong. New members were signed up, existing members renewed, and the club shop was as busy as ever.
The 9000 had its moment on centre stage, and it was much deserved, with the free fridge magnets celebrating its 40th birthday being snapped up by hundreds of visitors.
Looking forward to next year’s show already. I wonder what the club will have on display?
Owners:
- Saab 93B Nick Walker
- Saab 900 Carlsson (Red) Joe Radda
- Saab 900 Carlsson (Black) Fraser Bagnall
- Saab 9000 Chris Packer
Words & Photos: Matt Searle
Is Saab finally regaining some appriciation in the UK? The decline in the number of Saabs on the road over there has been rather dramatic compared to other countries. I have read stories of owners bringing their car to the scrapyard only because they found the road tax too high or the exhaust or clutch was gone. Unthinkable in The Netherlands.