If it weren’t for taking the plunge on vintage BMWs, pre-GM Saabs would likely be my drug of choice. From the hatchback funkiness to the liberal use of turbocharging, old-school 99s and 900s just rub me the right way. Unfortunately, finding examples in any condition of the iconic Saab 99 Turbo takes more than a stroke of good luck, which is why this rough-looking ’78 example may actually be worth throwing a bid at if you’re on the hunt for one. You can find it here on eBay with a Buy-it-Now of $2,200 and the option to make an offer.

The 2-liter turbocharged engine gave this Swedish hot-hatch a robust 143 horsepower, not a bad number for a foreign make with a modest footprint in the US in the 1970s. Giving enthusiasts a car that combined racy looks with performance to back it up was becoming a rare sight in the malaise era of the ‘70s and ‘80s, so the original 99 Turbo was likely a sight for sore eyes when it arrived. Combined with the factory’s “Inca”-style alloy wheels, front air dam, rear hatch spoiler, turbo gauges and unique steering wheel, and it’s easy to see how the 99 Turbo was a visually and mechanically pleasing package rolled into a versatile hatchback shell.

This particular 99 has clearly seen better days, cosmetically speaking. The air dam is long gone, much like the paint; there are dents all over the body; surface rust is blossoming in multiple locations; and the Inca alloy wheels, though present, are filthy. The interior is surprisingly decent for a car that looks so tired on the outside. The seller does acknowledge there is rust or some form of damage on every body panel, so this example will definitely require some time in the body shop after its mechanical sorting is complete. Oh, and it definitely needs a Turbo badge on the grill.

Despite their immense appeal, I’ve heard a fair amount of horror stories from other project car owners who found that mechanical complexity abounds in old Saab vehicles. Not necessarily overtly cumbersome or expensive mechanical systems, it seems to be more that they lacked the straightforward simplicity of other sporting cars from the era. Of course, fixing Saabs may come naturally to you, in which case you should definitely rescue this 99 Turbo from any more time spent off the road. So tell us, is the sound of a turbocharged Swedish powerplant enough to make you want to tackle this restoration? Let us know in the comments below.