Whilst we concentrate on getting the stunning Graphite Green 9-5 Aero completed after a full engine rebuild, another, darker project awaits in the shadows; a Black Edition Aeroriginal, this time, a manual 9-5 saloon.

It’s currently looking a bit sorry for itself with poor paintwork, a few dents and a very musty interior, but underneath it’s utterly solid, and it benefitted from an engine rebuild a couple of years back too. Surprisingly, it comes with an almost identical spec to the Green Aero, although the interior is black, it has the third rear headrest, the 18” ALU56 alloys and even a rare Abbott Racing rear boot lip.

Once the green one is back safely on the road, we’ll begin to work out what to do with it, keep it standard, give it a similar sleeper appeal, or go for something completely different, I’m not entirely sure, but what I do know, is that these amazing 9-5 Aeros are becoming incredibly difficult to find, at least one’s without stellar miles, terrible interiors and non existent subframes, and I feel privileged the have the opportunity to rescue another one.

Updates and design thoughts will follow over the coming weeks, but wanted I’d share a few photos and make it feel a bit loved.