The merger of two existing cars resulted in the Saab 90 sedan, a product of necessity and cost-savings, and is today considered one of the rarest classic models of the brand.
In the late 1970s, Saab was a small independent manufacturer with limited financial resources, so they relied mainly on collaborations to develop new models. They signed an agreement with the Fiat group to develop the future luxury 9000 model, in exchange for selling renamed Lancia models (such as the Saab-Lancia 600) in northern European markets. With the discontinuation of the 96 model and the gradual reduction of the 99 series range to make way for the new and larger 900 series, dealers began to put great pressure on the brand's management, as they urgently needed a new and, above all, affordable entry-level car in their range.
By that time, production of the 99 had already been moved entirely to the Finnish factory in Uusikaupunki, where local workers were doing their best to keep things running. In 1984, the Finns proposed refreshing the 99 with the nose of the newer 900 series, but Saab CEO Sten Wennlo rejected the idea, saying that such a car would be too similar in design to the much more expensive 900. He decided on a simple trick and, with minimal development costs, combined the front of the older 99 with the rear of the 900 two-door sedan, creating a new entry-level model called the Saab 90.
The unusual proportions and design initially caused some dealers to object, and they refused to display the car in showrooms. However, Wennlo set strict requirements for other models, and the Saab 90 was officially launched on the roads in early 1985. It was sold in a limited number of European markets, mainly in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands. With its reliable technology and proven engine, which offered 74 kW (100 hp) of power and 161 Nm of torque, the Finnish Frankenstein, as it was affectionately called, was particularly popular with older drivers. In order to keep the base price extremely low, the list of optional equipment was very modest, consisting only of a five-speed gearbox, metallic paint and a sunroof. Production ended in 1987 after just over 25.000 units were built.
