800+ votes later, the result is clearly ambiguous. That’s mostly my fault, because I included two versions of what is essentially the same car in the poll – the first of the Saab 900 16v cars (with the flat nose) and the later Saab 900 SPG.

Here are the raw results of the poll….

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As you can see, the raw results indicate first place for to the classic Saab 99 Turbo.

If you look at second and third place however, the Saab 900 T16S and SPG both had strong support and I that compels me to name the Saab 900 classic versions as the poll winner.

As much as I like the 99T and would love to flick the switch on that one myself, the results are difficult to ignore (even if it’s quite debatable as to whether it should be a slant-nose or flat-nose model that should be revisited according to the popular vote).

So, 900-lovers, if we ever find that magic switch, you can rest assured that I’ll be providing these poll results as evidence as to what we should do with it.

As my old mate ‘Eggs’ is fond of saying – Vive la 900!

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And for what it’s worth, my vote went to the 99T and my preference out of the two winners would be for the flat-nosed, early 900 T16S.

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This week’s poll therefore has a touch of nostalgia to it. What if you could flick a switch and get Saab to start building any of the historic models once again? Brand new cars, just as they were sold in the past but with brand new materials. Which model would you choose?

I’ve picked nine models from Saab’s previous generation vehicles for you to choose from. Vote for your favourite, or if you prefer something unlisted, let us know in comments.

Here’s the poll, and there’s a little about the chosen cars below…..

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Keep reading to check out a brief on all the individual cars in the poll……

Saab 95

A 7-seat wagon with only two doors and a tailgate? Saab’s little wagon was big on the inside and remains a firm favourite with fans who have a penchant for something different. The Saab 95 was within one place of finishing on the podium of the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally – there’s not many cars with seven seats that can claim that!

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Saab 96

Built from 1960 to 1980, the Saab 96 forged a reputation for toughness through its ability to stun more highly fancied cars on the international rally circuit, mostly at the hands of Erik Carlsson. The Saab 96 first appeared with a two-stroke engine and migrated to the V4 in the mid-late 1960′s. It was one of Saab’s longest lived models, bring produced right up until 1980.

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Saab Sonett (II and III)

Saab Sonetts, especially the ultra-rare two stroke versions, are fast becoming collectable items when well preserved. The little V4′s are a lightweight dream machine with their fibreglass bodies and minimal equipment. Larger drivers should take care with ingress and egress (this is personal experience speaking here) and spectators should take photos when observing such a phenomenon

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Saab 99 Turbo

The original Black Turbo, shown here in magnificent Acacia Green. First shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show of 1977, the Saab Turbo was regarded as the first ‘family’ car to tame the turbo in a reliable fashion. Carried some of the best wheels and interiors of all time, and responsible for one of the best video reviews in automotive history.

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Saab 900 Turbo 16-valve

The first of the 16-valve Saabs. The flat-front Saab 900 Turbo16 was first released with a silver exterior, grey side skirts and ‘oxblood’ interior. There are still a number of these on the road and they look every bit as handsome today as what they did back in the mid 1980s. A popular model with collectors in some markets because they were released prior to unleaded petrol being mandated, and hence don’t require a catalytic converter in those markets.

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Saab 900 SPG

OK, SPG is a market specific term, meaning ‘Special Performance Group’ in the US market. This is the later model that’s often referred to as the Aero elsewhere, featuring a more pronounced body kit and deeper wheels. Perhaps the sportiest looking Saab of all time.

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Saab 900 Convertible

Saab stunned the world by unveiling a convertible version of the Saab 900 in 1984, with the car finally going into production two years later. Saab’s convertibles have been a cornerstone of the Saab range ever since and the latest iteration, the Independence Edition 9-3 Convertible is limited to just 366 units in 2011. Known as the 4-seasons 4-seater, the Saab convertible is extremely habitable in all conditions and truly shines when the sun comes out (even in low temperatures!).

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Saab 9000 Aero

A true versatile classic. Incredible power for it’s time, and a cargo-bay that could swallow a horse. Reputed to be faster at passing speeds than an equivalent Ferrari of the day and capable of getting its executive owners to their destinations in comfort and style. Hardware stores in the morning, the racetrack in the afternoon and to the opera at night. This car could do it all.

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Saab 9-3 Viggen

A much maligned car in the press because of it’s outrageous torque-steer, but a much loved Saab amongst the fans. Brutal acceleration and beautiful appointments. The signature color Lightning Blue remains without peer and the badge is still unique in Saab’s history being used for one model only. Many hope for its return.

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I’m sort of living in Sweden and sort of not. I don’t have an address here and I’ll be heading back to Australia next week after five weeks away from home in Hobart. But then I’ll be back again, and that’s the way things will go for much of this year. Sweden sometimes, the US or Britain or ….. wherever…… at other times. But mostly here. And that means that after getting an address sorted, I’m going to need some wheels.

I hate not having a car. I had my first car for months before I was ever allowed to drive it and I’ve been driving cars ever since. I admit that it’s not an overt act of environmental kindness on my part, but I just love the mechanical act of driving and the sensory high of being on the road and seeing the world at speed (you get to see more of it that way – that’s my excuse).

I can almost hear your question now – you work for a car company and you don’t have a company car? No. There is a scheme under which I could acquire one, but there are taxation implications and given my status here, well….. it’s complicated. So I’m going to take the opportunity to do what a lot of Saab lovers would love to do – scour Sweden for the [very affordable] classic Saab of my choosing.

And what an embarrassment of riches this country can offer a classic Saab nut like me (or you).

It didn’t last long before being sold, but just last week I saw a Saab 96 V4 for sale with just 37,000 kilometers on the clock. It was a mint greet type color and looked to be in fantastic condition (purists, forgive me for not knowing the name of the colour and for showing a different colour here). I don’t remember the exact price in Swedish, but it was somewhere in the order of a mere 50,000SEK, which is probably less than half of what the car would sell for in my home market, in Australia.

Still, even the fact that you can readily buy Saab V4 vehicles here is amazing enough to an outsider like me. As I sit here and write this, Swedish website Blocket has around 30 Saab V4′s of various vintages for sale, including a red 1968 Saab 96 at a price that would make a few Australian fans, men that I know personally as big proud Aussie males, cry like five year old boys.

In terms of newer models, the Saab 9-5 SportCombi can be had for a song and even upper echelon versions of the Saab 9000 like the Aero and CSE are readily available, albeit at prices that don’t differ too much from my home market.

There are a few specific models here in Sweden that still fetch what I’d call decent prices, if and when they come up for sale. The classic Saab 900 Convertible still fetches good money in good condition, as do most Saab convertibles. The Saab 99 EMS is very hard to find, as is a good classic 900 Aero. The old Saab 95 wagon is another rare bird, though a couple of examples are available, but in relatively poor condition. Expand the search criteria a little further and one can still find “tvåtakt” (two stroke) Saabs for sale, right back to a Saab 92B restorer from 1955 in working order (for just 45,000SEK).

One particular model of interest to some is the Saab 90. For those who aren’t familiar, the Saab 90 had the front of a Saab 99 and the rear end of a Saab 900 two-door. They were sold only in Scandinavian and British markets, which is why non-Scandis like me are often quite curious about them. I’ve seen plenty of them in my time here already and yes, there are plenty of them for sale, and in good condition, too. The Saab 90 was made right up until 1987, so there are still a lot of them on the road because they’re relatively simple and almost bulletproof.

Here’s a sample of what’s on offer right now here in Sweden (with no recommendations or assurances as to condition). Some are notable for their rarity, others for their price.

• 1968 Saab 96 V4, 130,000kms, 22,000 SEK
• Saab 96 Bullnose 2-stroke, rally prepared with a little work needed, 40,000 SEK
• Saab 9000 Aero, immaculate in red, built by PA Johansson, 420hp, 80,000 SEK
• Saab 9-5 SportCombi Aero, some work needed, 17,000 SEK

So what’s a Saabnut to do?

That 1968 Saab 96 is tempting me in all sorts of ways, in the same way that a stray cocker spaniel would tempt every dog lover on earth. I have to view this as a once-only chance to buy my classic Saab, however. This is a fairytale job for me and I hope it lasts forever, but few things do. I therefore have to view this opportunity for the rarity it represents – the chance to buy what for me, is a classic, at a knockdown price.

The holy grail for me would be a black Saab 99 Turbo, but they’re as rare as unicorns. There are a few 99Turbos here for sale at the moment but their condition and/or pedigree is questionable and I need something both authentic and reliable. It needn’t necessarily be black, but it has to be good.

A suitable compromise would a Saab 99 EMS but again, they’re pretty rare. There’s only one for sale right now and it’s located so far north I’d need the stars to align in an unprecedented way for it to be possible. Add to that the fact that it looks brown in the pictures and you might understand why I haven’t jumped at it yet. There are some brown cars that I really like, but I’d prefer a silver EMS, thanks.

Talking to a friend here in Trollhattan who knows about these things, he opined that the best turnkey solution for (pre-1985) classic, comfortable and reliable Saab motoring is probably the last generation of the Saab 99 non-turbos. The later models of the Saab 99GL were well appointed for the time, were fitted with 5-speed gearboxes and engines that love to cruise and refuse to quit.

And the best thing? There’s a ready supply of them for very little money – just what a classic Saabnut likes to hear.

The mission, then, will be to come back from my trip home and go car hunting with a vengeance. If there’s any place in the world to pick up a classic Saab, it has to be here in Sweden. It’s just a matter of waiting for the right one to come along.

And if you’re reading this and you have a 99 Turbo in your shed that you’d like to sell, feel free to drop me a note