Made in Sweden, the first generation Saab 9-5 has a purity of design the later models lost, it's also one of my all time favourite Saabs. They're getting exceptionally rare to find now, especially with service history, low miles and only a few owners, add a ridiculously rare colour to the mix and it'd be hard the beat.

As I continue to do my best to search out Saab Aeros that have a few unique touches, my latest find literally stopped me in my tracks, smitten from the moment I saw it, Scarabégrön (aka Scarab Green) with the always luxurious Sand leather interior. 4 owners from new, full service history with reputable Saab specialists and only 83,000 miles, it was expensive, but as a foundation for my next Aeroriginal, it seemed to tick all the boxes.

I've been trusting sellers lately and buying some of my projects without seeing them, after all, I pretty much tear them apart and replace anything that's not right and it's been ok, until now. The new 9-5 Aero arrived a few days ago and I felt so disappointed it almost put me off going any further, it's got small dents everywhere, the bodywork has been over-sprayed by what looks like a child with a spray can, the front spoiler falling off, fog light broken, interior worn and a number of fittings broken.

But then I took it for a drive and to my surprise, it was one of the smoothest, rattle free early 9-5s I've ever bought, it still feels lovely and sharp despite all of it shortcomings, yes the heat either blows ice cold or boiling hot, half the console buttons are either covered in dirt or worn out and there's enough dirt on the carpet to have been lived in by pigs. But that's half the point of my Aeroriginal Saabs, to rescue one's that have potential, and this one has plenty.

Before being taken to Malcom Miles for it's thorough work over, i've started to collect the parts required to make it feel special again, the amazing folks at Perry & Prouse Saab in Somerset have saved some late Sand leather front Aero seats for me, more sculptured and far more comfortable, it's an upgrade hard not to love. A new set of leather lined door cards to replace the filthy velour lined ones, a new armrest, new dashboard, new Nappa leather steering wheel, new SID, new foglights, new rear light cluster, all to give it that love it truly deserves.

I'll also be doing my normal touches; Bilstein B8 suspension, Powerflex bushes, braided brake lines, Tarox Sport Japan drilled, grooved and vented brakes, APH downpipe, Jetex stainless steel exhaust, DO88 intercooler, Noob Stage 3+ remap and plenty more.

We'll then move on to the bodywork and for now, I'm leaving it untouched, once i've got it driving and handling exactly how I imagine, it'll go in for cosmetic surgery to have it looking great again. I truly believe these early Saab 9-5 are iconic, they've turned out to be utterly reliable, beautifully built and a modern classic car that has an understated luxury and presence that makes you feel special.

I doubt this is going to be a cheap project, but after living with if for a couple of days, i've fallen for it, my first Green over Tan Aeroriginal.