Saga's Porsche 911S from The Bridge set for charity auction

By Chris Rowlands

| 12 Jun 2018

Saga's Porsche 911S from The Bridge set for charity auction

Dark Scandinavian drama series The Bridge has gained a cult following since it first aired in 2011, and one plot device in particular has been subject to fascination: a 1977 olive green Porsche 911S.

Driven by Sofia Helin’s enigmatic homicide detective Saga Norén, it’s as much a part of the hit show as any of the characters.

And now it could be yours – because it's going to auction at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale on 13 July, with the profits going to Water Aid.

For the uninitiated, The Bridge is a Scandi-Noir crime drama famed for its engrossing characterisation. It centres around the fascinating Saga Norén – played by Sofia Helin – a homicide detective heedless of social norms but astoundingly good at her job.

Blunt to a fault, Norén exists in a world of family men as an emotionally detached woman with a very distinctive look. And, like every good TV detective, she has her own signature wheels: besides that trademark military coat, her Porsche 911S is a key part of her persona.

Driving a relatively exotic sports car as if it’s just another hatchback plays very much into the enigma that is Norén and as well as encouraging rumours and triggering jealousy amongst her colleagues, the olive green – or Jäger Grun – 911S has spawned much online debate.

With her past largely a mystery, many have pondered on the significance of this 1970s German 2.7-litre coupé – a car that’s today worth upwards of £20,000 – especially as the fourth and final series is currently airing on BBC Two.

While Norén’s on-screen 911S might remain a mystery, more is known about the real thing: a 1977 911S Coupé built for the American market, the 2.7-litre machine was imported to Sweden from the USA in 2009 and bought by the show’s production company in 2012.

More evolution than revolution, 911s built between 1973 and ‘77 (like this one) carried several changes from their predecessors – namely Bosch fuel injection, bigger 2.7-litre engines and impact bumpers fitted to comply with US regulations.

Equipped with a desirable manual transmission, this now-famous 175bhp Porsche is registered in Sweden and has apparently been restored at some point in the past. Its papers list its previous Swedish owners though, surprisingly, Norén’s name isn’t on there.

As you’d expect from a car that’s been used extensively for filming, it’s not in concours condition, with tears to the seats and scuffs both inside and out – which, even with the TV connection, will limit the price. Then again, what would you expect from a working detective’s vehicle?

All profits from the 13 July sale are set to go to the charity Water Aid, for whom Sofia Helin is an ambassador.

Of the auction, she said, “Saga’s Porsche is not only a big part of my own acting life but has also become part of Swedish TV history. I’m so pleased the sale of this car will go to such a good cause.”

Whatever happens down at Malmö County Police station in the finale of The Bridge, it seems this Porsche’s place in TV history is assured – and one lucky bidder will be able to take it home next month, with estimates suggesting it will sell for between £20,000 and £30,000.

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Chris Rowlands

Perennially on the road, Chris has to content himself with writing about classic cars instead of owning them – though he’s sure he’ll one day have the keys to an E-type. A regular contributor to Classic & Sports Car, his first love is motorsport.