For sale: 1999 Viggen (3 Door Hatch) 9-3 Saab
Specifications
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MKIII Cooper S Chassis number / car number:
The MK3 Cooper S had a chassis number / car number prefixed by “XAD1”, with a unique car number between 34127 and 458987. The prefix is interpreted as follows:
X = nothing/check digit
A = A series engine
D = Cooper S or 1275 GT
1 = Short nose (round front)
Location:
The chassis/car number for the MKIII Cooper S appears embossed in a small aluminium tag, noted as “CAR No.” The tag is located on the top edge of the bonnet slam panel, in front of the ignition coil.
Commission number:
N20D-####A
“20” indicates the new mini project number for the MK3.
“D” indicates the Cooper or GT model variant.
This was then followed by the car’s unique commission number, which was usually supplemented with the letter “A”. “A” indicated that the cars were built at the Austin factory at Longbridge, Birmingham. The second suffix is “B”. indicates the cars were built in Belgium, in Seneffe
Unlike the car number, the Commission number series was unique to the model, starting with N20D/101A for the first car built, and ending with N20D/1668A for the last car built. Supposedly, however, a genuine Cooper S with Commission number N20D1670A is known to exist. This indicates that the 1570 cars were built, 778 of which were UK market vehicles.
Location:
Like the chassis number, the Commission number also appears on a small aluminium tag sitting to the left of the chassis number / CAR No. tag, on the top edge of the bonnet slam panel directly in front of the ignition coil. The number is embossed on the tag, and the tag feature a red border.
Body number
A MK3 Cooper S body number is prefixed with the code B20D. MK3 bodies still had the FE prefix number on a large steel tag which was welded to the body shell.
The FE numbers can’t be used to identify a mini variant. The car number allocated to the MK3 S is taken from a series of car numbers allocated to all minis at the time that went through the factory. Evidence suggests there were small batches of particular models produced together (eg – 10-20 consecutive numbers at a time).
Engine number
12H397FH or 12H398FH
The MK3 Cooper S had engine prefixes starting with 12H, followed by a code number of either 397 (which meant it was fitted with a C40 Dynamo) or 398 (which meant fitted with a 16ACR Alternator). That prefix is followed by the letter “F” (which indicates twin carburettors), and finally “H” for “High Compression”. However, frequently the letter “H” is missing from the engine tag.
Location:
The engine number, like all mini engines, is located on the top front edge of the engine block, just above the alternator. The MK3 Cooper S had the number embossed on a small aluminum tag that’s riveted to the block.
Vehicle location
Australia , Victoria , Caulfield North
One of my favourite late model Saab's, the 9-3 Viggen. This one was advertised on carsales in January 2020, asking $17,500. Only a handful were imported to Australia and they are one of the best looking performance Saab's, particularly in coupe form and in the Blue.. A great modern collector car for someone interested in something a bit unusual.
The car has around 220K on the clock, so nit's been relatively well used, but by the look of it it has been fairly well looked after. See the original listing here, and check out the other Viggen's on the register.