The Saab 9000 Aero T18

March 2, 2026 Eleven

The Saab 9000 Aero T18 was an exclusive collaboration between Saab City and Abbott Racing, inspired by the stealthy 1947 Saab T18 Torpedo Bomber, only 21 full conversions were ever produced, an exceptionally rare Saab, created to be the ultimate 9000 Aero. Back in 1996 when this specific T18 was converted, it cost a not insignificant £48,000, and came with every conceivable Abbott Racing modification.

I’ve admired these builds for many years, but never really seen a suitable one for sale, until recently; a single owner car with low mileage. What makes it even more special, is its provenance. It was ordered new by a close friend of Mike Powell, the Managing Director of Saab City, then owned and maintained by the same family ever since.

Talking the Giles Fairweather (ex Abbott Racing); who can be mostly accredited for the concept and creation of these T18 Aeros, he remembers these amazing cars with great fondness - ‘I was involved in that car from start to finish, from the initial fax from Mike at Saab City, to becoming friends with the owners during their ownership. I remember the Speedo heads were done by Reap Automotive Design by Julian who also does Porsche dials. They then go off to Speedy Dials for re-calibration as they went to 180mph, rather than the standard Aero 140mph. Many happy hours spent in his studio getting these done, he was a skateboarder as well, bit of a duuude, and let’s not get into the heads, diffs, side sills, I remember it all, as it was mostly my idea and Mike Powell having the confidence to go with it’

As everyone knows, I’ve been a huge advocate of Abbott Racing over the past 20 years, from memories of the first 9000 Aero I saw modified for an old boss, to a rather special 9-3 convertible I purchased directly from Abbott, and the renovation of my 900 classic convertible. They have always had a passion for Saab that has driven their specialised modifications and products. The T18 is much like a showcase for their passion, an example of refining and fettling, a vision of their winning track cars, but for the road, this was the original T18 spec back in 1996:

18 x 8 6 spoke T18 alloys wheels 225/40 tyres
Gas flowed cylinder head with 31mm exhaust valves
Limited slip differential
55mm high flow intercooler
Engine management upgrade to 1.35 bar boost
Full lowered sport suspension - including springs
Stainless steel twin T18 exhaust with DTM tail pipe
4 pot AP racing calibers (Aluminium & power coated)
Front ventilated discs (330mm / 13”) and slotted rear discs
Competition front pads
Aluminium polished ‘Special Reserve’ gearknob
Stainless steel ‘Special Reserve’ door kick panels
Colour coded grille
White dials with T18 numbered speedometer
T18 Badges
BHP - 310

I can only imagine what it would have felt like to have collected one of these special Aeros back in 1996, but Giles’ final memory gives us a wonderful insight - ‘We did a beautiful black T18, and the owner used to go home under the LimeHouse link in 2nd gear on the rev limiter for the intoxicating pops and bangs at 70mph, 32mph through there and you had 3 points heading your way, good old days I must say’.

I’m sure I’ll be calling on more of Giles’s knowledge as I look to refresh this special Saab Aero T18, but for now, I’ll just let myself enjoy the moment.

Rise of the Sportwagon

February 24, 2026 Eleven

After a busy week of changes in the Saabvs collection, I’m briefly down to only 2 Saabs - the beautiful 9000 Aero, and the mighty 9-5 Sportwagon.

As i’d focused my attention on refining and driving both the 9-3 HOT Aero convertible and Vector Sport, I’d been neglecting the others, not to mention the shocking weather we’ve been having here in the UK. Over the weekend, however, we were blessed with no rain and a few rays of much needed sunlight; the perfect opportunity to take the 9-5 Spotwagon for a blast.

Why do I love these Sportwagons so much?

Design alchemy - utilitarian ability and spirited performance, stealthy profile and relaxed touring capabilities, especially in the 9-5 Sportwagon. They manage to combine everything you’d need and more, not only that, but side by side against so many modern SUV’s they just ooze elegance, they aren’t needlessly bloated, they don’t have garish LED illumination or touchscreens, they just get on and do their job in complete style.

With this particular build, we’ve heavily focused on its performance side, enhancing its drivability and handling. It’s an exciting car to drive, and you could be forgiven for forgetting you’re in an estate car, it has the ability to transform any journey in to a smile inducing few hours with the added benefit of the legendary Saab comfort and safety.

I get numerous messages asking if I have any future rescues or projects in line, and they’re often looking for a 9-5 Sportwagon or 9-3 Sportcombi. it’s a trend I’ve been happily watching and truly feel they’re gaining popularity again, and they really do deserve it.

Regret

February 11, 2026 Eleven

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.

Crystal Clear Eyes

February 10, 2026 Eleven

As the old saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul, and in the case of the 9-5 Vector Sport, they needed a little love to make them sparkle again.

I’ve always used the Autoglym Headlight Restorer kit, as it seems to work exceptionally well and also has decent longevity, follow each step carefully, and take time to mask around the headlights, and you’ll steadily see them getting progressively clearer. The final polishing compound leaves a perfectly transparent finish on the lights, and literally transforms the quality of their function leaving them brighter and with more direct focus on the road.

I’ve often found that these essential pieces of kit have been overlooked, especially on the 9-5 projects I’ve had in the past, these Bi-Xenon lights are wonderful, and deserve the care and attention to ensure they provide their optimal function. From an aesthetic point of view, they really are pieces of art, jewels that shine brightly and enhance the Saab’s individuality.

Why Aeroriginal?

February 9, 2026 Eleven

I’m sitting here, partly wondering why I have to justify myself, and partly pissed off that some people feel the need to take the joy out of life for others.

As some will know, I’ve recently had a few gorgeous Saabs in my collection, all are cars I absolutely adore, and as ever, have enjoyed owning and driving them, but new projects await, so have listed 3 of them for sale, but some people seem to be out to ask the most idiotic questions and why I’d be doing this without making profit.

During my ownership, they’ve all received the usual maintenance and upgrades, because that’s what I love to do. I’ve always enjoyed finding Saabs that might have been slightly under the radar, cars that need rescuing and giving them a new lease of life, or even Saabs that just deserve to be reimagined as something more original, better even. I’ve been doing it since 2010, and have bought and sold over forty Saabs now, but here’s where some people seem to think they have a right to question why I do it.

I’m not a dealer, and I’m sure not in it to make any profit, in fact I can pretty much guarantee I’ve invested far more financially in to each project than they have been sold for, why? because I’ve loved Saabs for many, many years, I buy them, I drive them, write about and photograph them, I do the work others might not do, and hopefully, I then pass them on to others to enjoy. We don’t all do things for money, we do them because we care about something, and I care about these gorgeous Saabs.

I try to be as transparent as possible when it comes to selling them on again; what I’ve managed to do, what I haven’t, and what might need doing in the future, it’s about keeping these Saabs on the road for us all to enjoy. They aren’t perfect, some need paintwork, so might need the odd part sourcing, but for the most part, they leave me far better than when I bought them, each one is a joy to do, I imagine what each Saab might work well with, from minor upgrades to full on transformations, some might just get a damn good service and new brakes and wheels, others maybe get new suspension. I drive the car for a while and then plan a works list for each, my great friend and Saab guru, Jason then helps me make them possible, he sees mechanical niggles I don’t see, and we fix those too, it creates Saabs that should go on to give enjoyment to others, and that makes me happy.

I’ve decided I will totally ignore any future idiotic comments or emails, I quite honestly don’t have the time or inclination to explain myself to anyone besides the people I respect and trust, I don’t need to sell any of these Saabs, so prefer to wait until the right people come along who appreciate them.

Comfort Edition Progress

January 20, 2026 Eleven

With every Saab rescue comes the challenge of what I imagine a specific project to look and feel like. At its core, it's always been about getting a Saab back to a place where it can continue its journey, make people happy, and keep another Saab around for many more years. Generally, my largest hurdle is correcting things others have neglected to do; the difficult or expensive tasks that most will shy away from, probably because it is difficult and might not make financial sense. These hidden fixes, not only make the car less tired, but also give you a solid foundation on which to create your imagined Saab.

Towards the end of last year, I found this wonderful 2005 2.3t Vector Sport, being the late model, it had the highly desirable shark tooth front bumper, Aero side skirts and rear bumper, and best of all, was Smoke Beige Metallic, a Saab colour I've absolutely adored for many years - it changes as the weather and sunlight changes, one day it can feel like a pure grey, other days, it gives you a golden hue and metallic shine. It came with Saab Performance suspension featured on the Sport and Aero models, and also the half leather Sport seats. It felt a wonderfully comfortable and welcoming car to drive, and together with the more relaxed, automatic gearbox gave me the idea to keep this one as a comfort edition Aeroriginal, rather than the more performance focused 9-5 I've done in the past.

Of course, the lesser power felt a little underwhelming to me, and needed addressing, as these have exactly the same engine set up as the Aero besides the Turbo and map, it seemed logical to convert the Vector to an Aero, and also give it a little boost on top, so we set about upgrading it with a Mitsubishi TD04 and a MapTun Stage 1 TD04 map, taking it to a very stealthy 270hp. It will also have a subtle Jetex stainless steel exhaust to give it a discreet but purposeful soundtrack too.

I've considered swapping the interior for a full leather Aero one, but in all honesty, they're the same shape as the Aero, have the same level of support and sculpting, but are supremely cosy, so will remain as it left the factory. I've already added the BlueSaab module, and this paired with the upgraded Harmon Kardon AS3 audio, allows you to steam music without taking away from the factory aesthetic. We took on the daunting task of replacing the gear skirt; which is a visually upsetting but very common problem, meaning the entire interior has to be removed to fix it correctly. I'll also be commissioning another Nappa leather sport steering wheel from TunStyle to enhance the interior feel of comfort and quality.

The exterior will also remain subtle, with small visual enhancements. The front and rear bumpers with get a full respray, as will the bonnet and lower rear arches; these are actually superb on this car, but to negate any future issues, the skirts will be removed and any minor corrosion addressed. I've also sourced another rare Abbott Racing rear boot lip which will be refurbished and added. The overall condition of the paintwork is good, it has marks and a few scratches, but to me, these are just part of its journey, I have no desire to renovate the cars until they become showpieces, I want them to be drive and loved, becoming a valuable part of a family, as they have done for me.

It came with the 17" ALU39 wheels, but to elevate the look, I've fitted the classic 18" Hirsch 6 spoke allows with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, as these perfectly compliment this generation 9-5. I've also added the 3 piece Hirsch grille, giving the front a distinct difference from the standard 9-5.

It's always a pleasure to give these Saabs a freshen up, and this one has been a joy so far, having had just one owner for it's entire life and less than 100,000 miles, it's a Saab that felt a bit special, and with the modifications so far, is slowly transforming in to the comfort edition I've imagined it being.

MapTuner Nano NX3

January 8, 2026 Eleven

One of my current Saab rescues, is the 2005 9-5 2.3t Vector, I can't deny my fondness for the Smoke Beige Metallic saloon, it's one of my all time favourite Saabs, and there's not many of them around in this condition. Add to that, it's only ever had one owner, it's got a lovely specification, and also low miles, but it had one obvious flaw - not having the higher output Turbo of the Aero.

Alongside various maintenance required, it's also had the larger Mitsubishi TD04 Turbo installed, this immediately takes it to the same engine setup as the standard Aero besides the mapping of the ECU; the standard Vector was 185hp, whilst the standard Aero was 250hp.

However, thanks to the support and generosity of MapTun, Sweden, they sent over one of their clever MapTuner Nano NX3 units, together with their connecting cable for me to try. I've been wanting to try one of their maps for a while now, and this gave me the perfect opportunity. For this particular 9-5, I wanted a subtle remap to enhance, rather than dynamically change its overall driving characteristics; it's an auto gearbox twinned with the Saab lowered performance suspension, so a lovely, comfortable cruiser, the Nano NX3 with the Stage 1 TD04 - 270 Hp/380 Nm map was exactly what the car needed.

Install was as simple as MapTun described, and as long as you have a decent wifi signal near the car when you perform the upgrade, it works flawlessly. I installed the accompanying app on my iPhone, paired that with the NX3, downloaded the relevant TD04 270hp file and prepared the car for the upgrade. We had to disconnect a few fuses turn all electrics off, and keep the battery on charge during the process. Thomas at MapTun was absolutely fantastic at being on hand for a few 'user errors' and advice along the way, but within 45 minutes, the file was installed and the Saab ready to test drive.

Immediate feedback - it felt quick, Stage 1 Aero quick, on acceleration, the new TD004 boosts instantly and the gear change clean and smooth; I never tend to hold the pedal to the floor in the autos, as they react beautifully to steady acceleration, building power through gears, rather than kicking down and screaming.

I've driven the 9-5 for a good 500 miles now, and been hugely impressed with the remap. I will be trying the various diagnostics and readings available on the app in the coming weeks, but wanted to share some initial thoughts. As less and less decent Aeros are available, this is an exceptionally viable way of transforming a Vector 2.3t into an Aero.

Thanks go out to Jason Miles for his endless wisdom on these Saabs, and Thomas at MapTun for his generosity and support. I've been hugely impressed by MapTun and their Saab products, they continue to invest in the research and development of many more products for our Saabs, it's people and companies like MapTun that genuinely make Saab ownership viable, their dedication to the brand is hugely appreciated my myself and many other global owners; please keep going.

Saab Week

December 16, 2025 Eleven

Thanks to the endless help and guidance of my friend, Jason Miles; a genuine Saab genius, we’ve spent an entire week going through a works list for the Saabs.

I currently have 4, all at various stages and all needing Jason's attention. They have varying degrees of work required, some small, standard maintenance and routine, others more transformational.

Saab 9-5 Sportwagon

This was last year's complete build, the fantastic Saab 9-5 Sportwagon, which has been a mainstay of my collection, and has performed impeccably all year. It's covered around 4,000 miles, and just oozes quality and style. Because of the amount of work done to this car already, it really didn't need much, a service with fresh oil and filters, and a new battery. Perfection restored.

Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector

This is the most recent addition, a Smoked Beige Metallic saloon with a gorgeous specification, but being a Vector Sport, only came with 185hp and the smaller Garret Turbo.

My plan is to keep the relaxed, comfortable personality of this Saab, with it's Sport leather and fabric interior, optional sunroof and automatic gearbox, but give it enough subtle modifications to give it standout; a little more Aero.

We've set about upgrading to Aero spec mechanics with a Mitsubishi TD04 and a MapTun Stage 1 TD04 map, taking it to a very stealthy 270hp. It’s a huge increase from the standard 185hp, and totally transforms the driving dynamics of the 9-5. I'll be featuring the MapTuner Nano NX3 in a separate post soon.

Other work has included:
Sump drop
Full service
Original Saab DI pack
NGK Performance plugs
All new discs and pads
Polyflex torque rod gearbox to engine bush
Boot pistons
Hirsch classic 18" 6 spoke alloys and Michelin PS4 tyres
Hirsch front mesh grille
BlueSaab bluethtooth module

Saab 9-3 HOT Aero

The gorgeous Merlot Red Aero convertible has been patiently waiting for attention since purchasing it back in August, as although the bodywork and mechanics are immaculate, the handling, suspension and braking had been left untouched. The shocks were in a very poor state and little recovery left in them, the rear brakes were pretty much metal on metal, and numerous knocks and noises needed identifying and corrected.

For peace of mind, we've also dropped and cleaned the sump, and done a full oil and filter service, and besides needing an Air Con regas, it's running beautifully, and feels very tight again.

Sump drop
Oil and filter service
Bilstien B8 shocks
Eibach lowering springs
Twin rear torsion bars
Rear discs and pads
Abbott Cobra pipe

Saab 9000 Aero

Again, this one's been around for a few months now, an apart from an annoying HOT or COLD ACC system, it's been an absolute joy to own and drive. Whenever I have a manual 9000 Aero, I realise just how epic they are, underrated compared to the iconic 900, but in my opinion, a far, far better car. We've been on the hunt for a better stainless exhaust system to pair with the existing Abbott 3" downpipe, it needs the tyres replacing sit currently has the wrong profile fitted, and we've replaced the interior and exterior temperature sensors.

It's only done a few extra thousand miles since the last oil change, so that will be a job for the new year.

Overall, the Saabs are in a good place now, the 9-5 will be heading for bodywork in the new year, but after that, I'll be adding a few to Aeroriginal for sale, and see what new Saabs appear in 2026. I can't thank Jason Miles enough for helping out, his Saab knowledge is an absolute godsend, and allows me continue to rescue and modify these amazing cars for the future.

The Hidden Costs

November 20, 2025 Eleven

Since 2011, I’ve been quietly rescuing Saabs, mainly the 9-5, but also 9-3 and 9000, I’ve occasionally done a quick ‘man maths’ sum of what I’ve spent on them, and let’s just say, it’s absolutely not a financially sound model. But what I haven’t done, is add in all of the little hidden costs that make each Saab feel properly sorted, so as I begin work on the new Vector Sport, I thought I’d attempt to list all of them - no stone unturned.

After the first few drives, and a good clean, you feel and notice things that need attention, small details most garages and sellers tend to ignore, the list isn’t long (yet), but you can easily see how they all add up:

Jetex stainless steel exhaust £419.00
Genuine Saab DI Pack £185.00
Genuine Saab boot decal £56.00
NGK Performance plugs £18.00
Hydraulic boot pistons £28.00
Auto Gear selector sliding £34.00
Replacement window switch unit £50.00
SaabBlue V6 Bluetooth module £80.00

That’s already £870 spent, and really on things most people generally won’t notice, they’ll feel it in the way it drives; it won’t feel tired or old, it’ll just feel like a Saab should - confident and reassuring. Most of my rescues start with a list like this, the next stages will be sorting the knocking out underneath, the bushes and drop links will need changing, the sump will be dropped for precaution with new gasket, fresh oil and filters.

I’ll do my best to keep a note of these hidden costs as work progresses, but it’s just so easy to underestimate the effort and expense that goes in to keeping these Saabs well maintained and enjoyable to own and drive. They truly are exceptional cars, and 20 years on, feel more rewarding than most modern cars, they just need a little more care.

The Comfort Edition

November 18, 2025 Eleven

A few weeks ago, the new 9-5 Smoke Beige Metallic project car arrived, and it’s a truly intriguing Saab.

Purchased from Williams Automobiles, Bristol in June 2005 by Mr G Ross who kept the 9-5 for the next 20 years, selling it in 2025, it has no previous owners, a full service history and only 99,000 miles, it really is an absolutely wonderful car.

One of the very last of the shark tooth 9-5 to be manufactured, and arguably the most desirable, but it’s a bit of an enigma, it has an Aero level spec, and yet some options are missing.

It’s a Vector Sport 2.3t saloon, and options include sunroof, folding mirrors, bi-xenon lights, rain sensors, Harmon Kardon AS3 with Sat Nav and the Aero performance suspension.

It comes with the exceptionally comfortable, Obsidian Black Sport Leather / Apollo textile seats, but unheated, my initial thoughts were to add the full leather, but I’m already in love with how quiet and comfortable the interior is. It also has the ashtray delete; a rare option I haven’t often had in previous 9-5’s.

Whilst the interior is almost immaculate, the Smoke Beige paintwork has a few marks and scratches, the notorious rear arch bases are superb, and only require the lightest of attention, the front and rear bumpers need repainting, as does the bonnet, it needs new badges and a professional detail, but overall, is exceptionally honest.

It’ll get the larger TD04 added and stage 1 map, allowing it to benefit from the Aero performance, a new stainless exhaust system and upgraded brakes. I’m rather sold on the wonderfully comfortable drive enhanced by the super smooth auto gearbox, so the suspension might stay standard, but a number of other discreet modifications will make this a rather special 9-5.

Saab vs. Artificial Intelligence

November 12, 2025 Eleven

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the original Saab vs. ad campaign - understated yet super stylish Saabs featured in wonderful Nordic landscapes full of adventure, beauty and dreams. Sadly, we don't get to see what they'd have done now, but there was an original Saab vs. Artificial Intelligence ad which I couldn't resist updating with a slightly newer image variation.

I’ve taken my own 2010 Snow Silver Sportwagon, and used AI to feature it in a Nordic Winter landscape, it’s a scenario I’ve imagined a thousand times, but never got to enjoy yet. It’s not an entirely real photograph, but is a wonderful way for us all to imagine and dream, just as Saab would have wanted.

The context of the ad was to highlight Saab’s dedication to safety, real world experiences learnt from humans to then enhance the features on a Saab to achieve peerless safety, Artificial Intelligence might be wonderful at creating inspiration, but I’m glad Saab relied on reality to craft our protective Saabs.

A 70 year love affair

October 23, 2025 Eleven

This is a story about a Swedish lady named Inga who owned just one car for her entire lifetime; a Saab 92B purchased in 1955, and she owned it for 70 years.

It was a story I came across recently, and had to share it. Sadly, Inga passed away last year at the wonderful age of 98, but had owned, loved and driven her Saab since she was just 28 years old. It's a story that most of us can only dream of happening to us, and I hope, by sharing this lovely story, it manages to create another small, lasting memory of Inga.

Ingrid and Göte Sundin never had any children. However, they adopted a Saab that became their darling. They bought it new, and over the years, Ingrid and Göte took great care of the car.

The story began one summer day in Stockholm. Ingrid was 19 and Göte a couple of years older. They were newlyweds and had their whole lives ahead of them. They were not very well-off. Göte had just finished his studies. He would later graduate as a construction manager. That's why they were looking for a practical car that didn't cost too much money.

"I think it cost about 10,000 kronor at the time, it was my husband and I's first car. And I remember we also looked at a Morris Minor. My uncle joked about it and said that a Saab that only has five moving parts would suit us better. So we bought it at the fancy car palace Philipssons on Sankt Eriksgatan in Stockholm. And of course it's much nicer than the Morris" Ingrid told a journalist at Vi Bilägare almost twenty years ago.

Ingrid owned and drove her Saab 92B with a 28 horsepower two-stroke engine for as long as she could. She attracted attention and received happy shouts wherever she arrived with her old Saab. "It rolls so easily on its freewheel. The only problem is that the engine gets a little hot in the Stockholm traffic sometimes. But then you just have to stand aside for a while so it can calm down".

Last year, Ingrid Sundin passed away at the age of 98. The family gathered to review the couple's life's work and all the things they had collected over the years. "This car is nice, we understand that there is something special about it. But none of us have the right skills to own it. Ingrid was a very good person, both she and Göte were kind and pleasant. I hope the car ends up in the right hands" says Anders Österlund.

Inga's Saab 92B was being sold by Bilweb Auctions, who have a reputation for finding new owners for vintage and classic cars, "It looks to be in good working condition, I think it is worth at least 100,000 kronor, maybe more considering its history" said Michael Luft from Bilweb.

I hope her memory lives on in the Saab for many more years, and that the new owners take pride and pleasure in its wonderful story do far.

Autumn / Winter 2025 Collection

October 21, 2025 Eleven

It's a rare moment I manage to have a clear driveway, but even rarer to get the time to pull out my current 3 Saab collection and take a photo of them together.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to concentrate on a small collection of 3 or 4 of my favourite Saabs, all in Silver, but as ever, the best laid plans never go smoothly. I accidentally purchased my original 9-3 TTiD Hirsch back, which needed more work than I expected, but once sorted, that sold exceptionally quickly.

After that, things got back on track, and I found my 1998 Silver 9000 Aero, this went nicely alongside my modified 2010 Silver 9-5 Aero Sportwagon. The search then began for a OG 9-3 convertible, again, preferably in Silver and Aero spec, a few came along, but none were quite right, then the unexpected happened, a stunning 2003 Aero convertible in Merlot Red with Sand leather interior; this rare specification seemed too good to turn down, so it quickly joined the collection.

I'm a bit of a sucker for original Saab brochures, and it has recently pushed me toward this idea of all Silver Saabs, the iconic 9000 Aero was featured in Silver, as was the 9-5 Sportwagon, and although the 9-3 convertible was generally shown in the darker Graphite Grey, it looks exceptional in a matching Silver too. The current lineup isn't all Silver as I'd planned, but my god, the Merlot Red convertible is a standout colour, so we'll allow that for now.

What's missing? Ideally an 04 / 05 9-5 Aero saloon, and one day, another classic T16S maybe, but for now, these 3 are keeping me busy.

Imagine it’s 1993

October 16, 2025 Eleven

You’ve just been to collect your brand new Saab 900 S convertible from the dealership, it’s your dream colour combination of Nova Black over Beige leather, you turn the key and the legendary 900 burble comes to life, you put the top down and experience your first exhilarating drive in your new Saab, wind in your hair, endless road trips ahead. Now imagine being able to recreate that moment, 32 years after that first, unforgettable day.

My great friend Ward, just had the rare privilege of recreating that exact moment, his already immaculate 900 S has been subject to a no stone unturned detail, inside and out recently, Lennert and his team at Vermijl Car Detail, gave the iconic Saab the attention it truly deserves. Their multi day process included a slow foam wash, two step polish and a final, ceramic coating. Inside, the Saab also received a full detail together with a recolouring of the steering wheel to give it that showroom freshness we all long for.

Ward discovered his ultimate Saab 900 convertible; a fitting addition to his impressive collection in the Netherlands, following an extensive search. Although it came with a host of subtle modifications like upgraded intercooler, larger DO88 radiator, Primary 7 for the LPT and a new AC condensor, he set about progressively improving it further. For future reliability, Ward replaced the waterpump, AC compressor, dynamo, clutch cylinders with hose and bearings, a new fuel pump and even a new windscreen.

Ward already owns an immaculate 900 T16S coupe, and wanted to create a similar driving experience in his convertible - ‘As the car already had quite some elements of the Full Pressure Turbo specifications and I really like the driving characteristics of my coupe which also has the T16S specs with the engine and gearbox of a T16S red box APC, I decided to let the professionals of Haaima turn the convertible to full T16S spec. This included the installation of the red box APC system (with everything that comes with it), a time period correct turbo gauge and an original Turbo S badge to rightfully represent the professional changes that had been made in accordance with the original specifications fitting to a T16S.’

He then added the finishing aesthetic touch, with a set of Aero alloys refinished in his signature dark grey with polished rims.

Saab should also be praised for designing and manufacturing a car that 240,000km / 145,000 miles and 32 years on, can still look and feel so immaculate. A real gem of a Saab, and one any of us would love to own.

Although this has been shared by numerous folk already, this is a link to the Saab 900’s detail in progress.

Embracing the Seasons

October 14, 2025 Eleven

It’s been almost a year since the build on the 9-5 Sportwagon happened, a year of pure enjoyment and of driving this fantastic Saab. I’ve had a long standing admiration for the 9-5, but the earlier generation, not necessarily this specific model year. However, after a number of discussions over a suitable platform wagon for a major modified build, a late 2010 manual, Turbo Edition Sportwagon became the ultimate choice.

Being one of the last Saab 9-5 wagons to ever be manufactured was one bonus, but also benefitting from a host of bin end parts to create the Turbo Edition also helped; audio upgrade with sat nav, perforated heated seats, folding mirrors, Hirsch satin grille surrounds plus all of the usual Aero specification, gives it a real edge over other options.

It’s had a year to settle in to its new guise, an utterly sorted sleeper that just enhances and showcases how wonderful these Saab 9-5’s truly are. When driving, it’s easy to forget you’re in an exceptionally practical estate car, capable of whisking a family along at a very rapid pace, all in Saab’s legendary comfort. Not only that, but the agile handling is an absolute joy, especially with the addition of the limited slip diff.

I tend to drive all of my cars throughout the year, I don’t have a specific choice for Autumn / Winter, and instead, tend to keep them all in service, but the Saabs have a special place for me. The colder months tend to evoke thoughts of long drives with a back drop of wonderful Autumn colours and light, icy Winter landscapes that remind me of it’s Nordic heritage, and the comforting embrace of Saab’s warming interior.

Iconic Saab Design

September 18, 2025 Eleven

I recently did a small post on Instagram about the Saab ALU36 wheels - in my opinion, Saab designed some of the most beautiful OE wheels ever produced, their iconic 3 spoke structure is a key feature in many of their designs, from the original 900 Aeros to the Turbo X - all had the same 3 spoke structure.

I’ve long admired the purity of the ALU36 wheels, and again, with the same 3 spoke design, only double. They came standard on the Saab 9-3 HOT Aeros, and were also optional on the Saab 9-5 model range, suiting both equally well.

I love their sculptural form, the way they help elevate the car’s intrinsic beauty, the subtle concave surface drawing the eye to the Saab identity at its core. I never fail to be impressed by Saab design, a true masterclass in refinement and simplicity.

Of course, many folk agreed with me and also suggested other, equally stunning Saab wheel designs, but what I adore most, is to see how people put their own mark on the same wheels. I received messages from a number of people, but 2 stood out, and wanted to share their wonderful take on the ALU36 wheels for others to be inspired by.

Top theodorkasprik Czech Republic | Bottom tarkowsky_95 Poland

Saabs at the Depot

September 10, 2025 Eleven

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Saturday morning, the usual pre car meet panic; none of the Saabs are clean, which one do I take, which one has enough petrol in it? I grab the keys for the 9-5 Sportwagon, give it a quick clean and set off towards Weedon in Northamptonshire for Saabs at the Depot.

Built in 1802, The Depot was originally a Royal Ordnance stronghold for small arms and cannons, today, it’s been re established as a home for small businesses; artisans, garages, studios and the important one - Gasoline Juice, a local destination for petrolheads.

Kindly organised by The Saabist, the event brought together 50+ Saabs and their respective owners for a good natter over coffee. We were blessed with great weather and a whole host of wonderful Saabs arrived including a unique, custom build 900 Turbo owned from new and lived in 3 countries, an immaculate 9000 Turbo with epic, burgundy interior, and showroom condition 9-5 Sportwagon; the cleanest I think I've ever seen, and a beautifully used and enjoyed Viggen, driven extensively throughout Germany and Switzerland.

A great few hours spent in the company of likeminded petrolheads, and a chance to take a few photos of the event to share with everybody. We were joined by a few gorgeous non Saabs too, a Mercedes Pagoda, Audi Quattro and a gorgeous Volvo wagon, all adding to the lineup.

Rawsaab needs our support

September 4, 2025 Eleven

From estimates, there are some 60,000 Saabs in the UK, the 9-3, or course, is by far the highest number, equating to at least 50% of all UK Saabs I’d imagine. What most owners will have realised by now, is that we’re beginning to have to rely on independent suppliers for critical knowledge and parts supply.

It’s important that these independent suppliers are supported and protected, which in turn, will protect our Saabs and keep them running for many more years. That brings me to an urgent appeal from one of the UK’s leading resources for older Saab 9-3’s - Rawsaab. Some of you will already know about Peter Raw, it’s owner, as he’s recently put out a plea for support from the Saab community, he’s also known for his knowledge and passion for the 9-3 Viggen, what Peter doesn’t know, possibly isn’t worth knowing.

I won’t try and rewrite Peter’s words on his current situation, and instead, will just share them, but needless to say, it really seems a no brainer to me, for the community to rally together and raise enough money for Raw Saab to continue.

As with everything in life, things are better when we help each other, but what does this mean in numbers? It would take just 1500 Saab fans worldwide to donate £100 each, this would allow Raw Saab to continue to be a central hub for Saab 9-3 parts. That’s just 2.5% of UK Saab owners, not global, just UK.

‘This is a pivotal post regarding the future of Rawsaab. As many of you know I’ve helped the saab community worldwide for many years , not only with parts and repairs but also with free advice but this could all be about to change. My landlord has decided to put the mill up for sale so here’s my problem , it could be the end of Rawsaab , I could look for somewhere else but it would be a mammoth task to relocate and I’m sure the cars would have to go.

A couple of customers have suggested that I ask for everyone of my Facebook friends and customers for help. If we could get the funds together we could purchase the mill and safeguard the future of rawsaab and indeed many Saabs. Any money donated would be solely used on the business. I could also maybe offer an incentive for anyone that anyone who donates 100 pounds or more would get a discount on parts for a year.’

Remember, it’ll take just 1,500 UK Saab owners donating £100 each to ensure Rawsaab can continue. Wouldn’t it be great if our community could rally together and make this happen.

DONATE HERE

Inspiring a love for Saab

August 27, 2025 Eleven

Back in 1991, Saab launched the 9000 CS, a revised and updated version of the CC hatchback, it took another 2 years before the Aero model arrived in 1993. I'd recently joined an Advertising agency, and my boss at the time had just taken delivery of a brand new black, 9000 Aero. He had it shipped directly from the local dealership to Abbott Racing for a few immediate upgrades, and when it arrived, I was pretty obsessed with it.

It took me another few years before I bought my own, and it had to be a 9000, sadly, not an Aero, but still, my very first Saab. That black Aero inspired my love for Saab, and since then, I've owned over 40, however, the 9000 Aero really does have a special place in my heart, and I keep going back to them over and over again.

A few moths ago, I'd seen this one for sale, it was a car I'd been offered before, but wasn't in a position to buy it at the time. I remembered its story though, and the wonderful work involved to rescue it. Owned originally by a customer and friend of a 'home brew Saab specialist, the 9000 had been parked outside his home, when a neighbour's car rolled down the hill and in to the back of the Aero, damaging the rear quarter, that was in 2016, it was some time before the owner asked his friend to fix it, by which time, it needed a long list of work doing.

As things got underway, the original owner had second thoughts, and offered his friend the car. A deal was done, and the Saab immediately became a parts car with the airbag, wheels and lights removed. It was then left until 2021, when the son of the home brew Saab specialist, went to look at the car and decided it was a genuinely great 9000 Aero that needed bringing back to life.

He set about welding the areas required, replacing both front wings, and all of the missing parts that had been previously removed. The engine had a full top end rebuild, with cleaned head, new stem sills and valves freshly lapped in, the throttle housing was ported, turbo rebuilt with a new mellet core, new water pump, new aluminium radiator, 3" downpipes and numerous other hardware. It's also had a stage 3 map by Saab Clinic and a compression result of 185psi, which is very strong. Having covered 250,000 miles, it feels beautifully smooth and tight, the gears are reassuringly strong, and the torque has lost none of its appeal.

Whilst the exterior is good and rust free, it's the interior that really demonstrates Saab's exceptional build quality. Besides the normal patina on the Rocky Black leather Recaros, the space is wonderfully free of wear. All of the dashboard illumination works perfectly and the materials have held up exceptionally well, almost 30 years old, and it still feels like such a wonderful space. The seats of some of the best Saab ever designed, and the comfort level is like no other.

Last of the Summer Merlot

August 26, 2025 Eleven

It's been a few years since my last OG 9-3 HOT Aero Convertible, and I've truly missed having one in the collection, so, just in time for the Autumn / Winter season, I've found another one - and it's my favourite time of year for owning a convertible.

I've been on the search for a while now, and specifically had Silver in mind, I'd seen a wonderful one available with the rarer blue roof, and what better combination to go with my existing Silver 9-5 Sportwagon and Silver 9000 Aero. But then last week, I happened to see this absolutely stunning 9-3 come up for sale again, it's one I'd known of before, as Peter Raw had it a few years back. The Merlot Red Metallic and Sand Aero leather is exceptionally rare here in the UK, and a combination I absolutely love, the condition and MOT history are fantastic, and it's had a lot of care and maintenance done under its current stewardship.

Over the long weekend, I managed to persuade my wife I needed yet another Saab, and she kindly took me over to collect it. The current owners have had it since 2020, but due too an imminent move to the wilds of Scotland, they decided to let this one go, a heart wrenching decision, but I promised it was going to a good home. In person, the colour combination is truly spectacular, it's wonderful to see one of the these early 9-3 convertibles with a light and airy interior, rather than the normal black, it adds a level of elegance I've long admired, and feels comforting and cosy when the roof has to go up.

As this was the last long weekend of the year in the UK; and some suggest, the last wonderfully warm Summer day for a while, it really couldn't have been a better time to embrace the joy and freedom only a convertible can bring. They have a unique ability to immerse you in nature, the skies, trees, and countryside as you drift through in utter Saab comfort. And there's one more joy that just can't be matched - driving the Saab convertible under the warm night skies, full of stars and wonder, whilst inside, the classic green and orange illumination is reassuringly familiar.