1999 | Saab 9-3 2.0 Turbo

The 1999 Saab 9-3 2.0 Hirsch SE Deauville Convertible

The Saab 9-3 has an impressive ancestral lineage. It is the successor to the Saab 900, the 1978 flagship model of the Swedish manufacturer. After General Motors complete a partial takeover of Saab, they unveil a completely redesigned generation of the 900 in 1993. Although inspired by the Opel Vectra A at the time, the Trollhättan-based designers do an excellent job and shape the newcomer to look like the old 900. In 1998, the revised 9-3 is launched. Still reminiscent of the legendary 900 on the outside, the 9-3 benefits from 1,100 improvements under the bonnet, mainly in the name of impact protection.

"The convertible was incredibly well received at the time," recalls Saab's last Swiss press officer, Christoph Bleile, in auto-illustrierte. "The Saab had some special features that seemed to resound with local customers." Including the lovely, rearward-rising side-line, with no visible roll bar to interrupt the flow. The bar is there though and springs into action if there's an accident. As you expect on a Saab, the ignition lock is housed in the centre console to prevent knee injuries in the event of impact. The turbo engine is also quintessentially Saab.


The Saab remains the individualists' favourite and you won't find it on every corner, even in its heyday. A Saab remains a loyal partner, as Saab driver Hans Sägesser, who also owns a 9-3 convertible, sums it up perfectly in auto-illustrierte: "I'm always amazed at how good these cars are. They never give you any bother. I've never broken down. 10,000 km to the North Cape and back is a walk in the park. Everything still works like it did on the first day I got it. "

Our auction vehicle is a true rarity; a Hirsch Deauville Special Edition unveiled exclusively for the Swiss market at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. Our Hirsch Deauville is registered as No. 32 in a series of just 101 units. This model was purchased by its current owner in the autumn of 1999 as a demo car from an official dealer in the Zurich highlands. The car has a full service history and is in excellent condition. A fantastic opportunity.