I understand the order of things, the house rule that I'm only allowed a certain amount of Saabs at any one time, and to make room for more projects and rescues, some have to inevitably leave the stables - but it really doesn't make it any easier to let them go.

I purchased this absolutely gorgeous 9-3 HOT Aero convertible in the super rare combination of Merlot Metallic and Sand leather, I'd known about it previously when Peter Raw owned it, and had severe colour envy, but at them time, I had too many other Saabs, so it slipped me by. Then in August last year, I spotted the very same one for sale, except it had found its way closer to me; how could I resist?

It had had a huge amount of care and attention lavished on it, the paintwork is some of the nicest I've ever seen on one of these early Aeros, the engine had been maintained beautifully and initially, it seems to drive well.

After a few hundred miles of driving, I realised that the handling was far from perfect, there were knocks from the chassis and the suspension felt exceptionally tired. Aesthetically, this Saab really didn't long for much, so focus was put into refining the handling and getting back on track. We've fitted a new set of Bilstien B8 shocks together with Eibach lowing springs making it a B12 suspension kit, we've doubled up the rear torsion bar, fitted new rear discs and pads, tightened all of the drop links and arms up, and it now drives beautifully again; no knocks, just a more dynamic and crisp drive.

We've also given it a good full service, with a sump drop and clean, new oil and filters, fitted an Abbott Racing Cobra pipe, cleaned the throttle body, and new brake fluid. I've removed the chrome mesh front grille and taken it back to the genuine Saab one, and fitted a Nappa leather steering wheel by Turnstyle, giving the interior just to touch of discreet style it deserved.

The original generation 9-3 has always been one of my favourite Saabs, and this one has captured my heart again, I planned to keep up this year and enjoy the Spring and Summer, but I've been busy looking at other projects, and to ensure the house rule is adhered too, at least 2 have to go.

I'll miss this one, it's an absolute beauty, and hope it gives someone endless enjoyment with its old school style, it really is rather mesmerising.

It might sound strange, but one of my favourite parts of any new Saab rescue is the interior refresh, I look forward to it, I plan what I need to do and how to approach it, I even like stocking up on the products iv’e trusted for years.

After a good few months of the Viggen being made mechanically right again, the interior has languished in 5 years of dust, dirt and tiredness, the leather looked sad and neglected, cast off parts all over the back seat and numerous fittings missing, lost over its 20 year journey.

I like to remove all of the seats, that way, I can treat each one to a full clean and 24 hour feed with Gliptone, bringing the leather to life again, the distinctive Viggen blue leather has come up a treat, it looks bright and firm again, and although the drivers seat has some cracking, the moisuriser has given it a new lease of life and left it with a lovely patina to help tell the car’s story.

I used a foam cleaner by Autoglym for the carpets and plastics and finished it off with a light rub of Autoglym Trim Gel which brings out the grain and colour perfectly.

The new CD head unit replaces the old cassette unit and a subtle AUX input has been fitted, the gorgeous new Nappa leather steering wheel by Tun Style and a genuine Saab replacement leather gear knob.

Tomorrow, the Viggen will be pampered even more by Harry the detailer, the body gets a full clay bar treatment and polish and the roof gets cleaned and sealed again ready for its first outdoor Winter in 5 years.