It’s always an exciting time for me when we’ve finished the first phase of a rescue, it’s time to give it its first real shake down and figure out what still needs work. A few months ago, this beautiful Saab Aero was facing impending doom at a dismantlers, so I wasn’t sure what to expect; are the engine and gearbox good, and do all of the electrics work are my main concerns, most things can be fixed of course, but it’s always a worry when you rescue a car like this.

It seems we have a seriously great Saab, after the extensive mechanical refresh, the engine is exceptionally smooth, the new DO88 intercooler and remap have given it their usual boost and the gearbox is as crisp as any Aero auto I’ve had previously. After 40 of so miles, I got the red oil warning light, which is always nerve wracking, but after a quick inspection, it’s a faulty oil sensor that needs replacing. It needs a full alignment, a new SID and the alarm resetting, but for first phase, I’m impressed.

For me, this is when the fun starts, it gives me the opportunity to begin the clean up, and this one needs a lot. A few hours spent with the pressure washer removing the moss and greenery, a full detail of the glass, inside and out, and a first feed of the faded black trim with Autoglym trim and bumper care.

I also spent a rewarding few hours removing all of the terrible badges and carbon look vinyl from the B pillars, bonnet and front spoiler, the heat gun helped remove most of them, but a bit more effort will be required to remove the rest of the adhesive.

Happy to have this one home and looking forward to getting to the interior over the next few weeks.