As I scour through the ever dwindling list of Saabs for sale, I can’t help but notice a few that might have fallen further than others, the one’s that have been left to fade; go-faster stripes and incorrect badging, chrome embellishments and bonnet scoops, mismatching panels and even one’s that are closer to returning to nature than they are to the road.

Yet these Saabs are still the ones that came out of the factory and fulfilled dreams, Saabs that have given many years of enjoyment and pride. With love, they could be given a new lease of life, saved for the future, to live on and become modern classics even. Sadly, some will have gone past their sell by date with engine failures, corrosion and numerous other financially unviable ailments, but many won’t have.

I’m often intrigued to know these Saab stories; how have they ended up like this? Who’s owned them? When and where? Over the years I’ve learnt to look past their obvious issues and try and work out if they can be returned to their former glory, one’s with a solid base and something to offer still, to me, it’s often a case of why waste them, if they’re not saved and given a bit of care, we’ll lose them and that would be devastating.

One to rescue Saab 93 HOT Aero 2 door coupe

The 9-5 Aero in super rare Graphite Green is quickly rising from the ashes after being rescued from a dismantlers back in January. We noticed a lot of oil leaking from both the head gasket and sump, so they've been removed, cleaned and refitted with new gaskets and bolts. A complete overhaul has also been done with new oils, filters and hoses where required, we've also fitted an upgraded intercooler, 3.5 bar fuel pump and got Karl at NoobTune to do a Stage 3 remap.

It's been polybushed all round together with Bilstien B8 shocks and Eibach lowering springs, upgraded big brakes and callipers. All finished off with a refurbished set of 18" ALU56 wheels in a metallic Satin Anthracite to compliment the stealth look of the gorgeous dark green paintwork and Michelin Pilot Sport 4

It now needs running for a while and the obligatory snagging starts, then we'll concentrate on getting the bodywork up to scratch, it needs the rear arches doing, a new side skirt and a bit of elbow grease and time to get rid of the horrendous carbon look vinyl that's been applied to the B pillars and the lower front spoiler, but it's coming back to life beautifully.