Road Trip

November 2, 2022 Eleven

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As with every Saab Aero I rescue and modify, I like to get a good amount of driving time and enjoyment in before they continue their journey with a new family. It gives me a chance to really feel the car and discover if there's anything I'm not happy with; handling, noises, electrics etc.

I decided to take the Silver 9-5 Aero on a road trip to the inspirational Peak District, all in, around 250 miles and a good balance of fast motorway and winding country roads, the Saab performed faultlessly as I'd hoped. I have to remind myself that I'm sitting in a 22 year old car with 140,000 miles under its belt, not only that, but less than six months ago, it was a non runner with a broken oil cooler and burst pipes.

This is an agile process, one of repetition, chunks of work followed by a shake down, more work and then the same again until I'm happy with how the car looks, feels and drives. A long road trip tends to bring out the best and worst in a car, you begin to learn its idiosyncrasies, its strengths and weaknesses.

A longer drive gives the Saab an opportunity to properly warm up, the auto gearbox becomes silky smooth and quickly learns to use its newly acquired 275hp beautifully, responsive yet relaxed and when the mood takes you, effortless power to quickly and safely reach any destination with a smile on your face.

The 9-5's unique gift though, is its ability to sooth and comfort its passengers, the seats are supremely soft and luxurious, in Winter it provides heat and when Summer comes, the Prestige leather option offers cooling too. The dashboard always feels right, a familiar layout with everything accessible, the buttons and instrument cluster bright and clear and when night falls, the Night Panel boosts concentration to help you arrive home safely.

Given that the factory audio is also 22 years old, it still pleasantly surprises with its clarity and depth. An upgraded Harman Kardon system with 3 powerful amplifiers feeding 9 perfectly positioned speakers. No, it doesn't offer Bluetooth or even Aux In, but there's a real beauty in choosing your set of CD's for a long journey.

I arrived home in the evening after spending several hours in the 9-5, I just can’t help falling for them, they’re understated, comfortable, safe and above all, becoming exceptionally rare, and all of this for less than five thousand pounds, yes please.

2000 Silver 9-5 Aero £4500 | Aeroriginal

1/100

October 24, 2022 Eleven

According to How Many Left, genuine Saab 9000 Aeros are getting rarer each and every year, with the Autos down in to their 20's this year in the UK. That's not counting the one's currently SORN, but even then, we're talking very low numbers.

Along with the Saab 9-5, the 9000 Aeros have always been a personal favourite of mine, the understated luxury and quality of build still surprises me today, beautifully solid composure and one of the best Saab interiors of all time, but they're getting old and tired and most have covered hundreds of thousands of miles.

It's one of the reasons I find it hard to turn down a genuine Aero, I just feel they deserve to be kept on our roads and the reason I'm so proud of this Silver 9000 Aero.

It's been a slow process, almost a year since I was offered it, but time has been well spent, the integrity of the rear half has been cleaned, welded and protected, new suspension, new brakes, wheels refurbished, new Michelin tyres and new stainless exhaust, whilst mechanically, it's been given a good overhaul with numerous parts replaced, and is now running as smoothly as I'd hoped for.

Whilst I love the manual gearbox, I also feel that the Auto suits the big 9000 to perfection, a genuinely capable cruiser with 275hp on call to keep up with modern traffic. Shift is smooth and refined for a 90's car and happily sits for hundreds of miles at high speeds for road trips in style and comfort.

The interior remains flawless, every dial and every switch remains working and the more you're in a 9000, the more you become addicted to its simplicity and form. The Recaro designed seats still haven't been bettered in my eyes and feel both supportive and comforting to spend drive time in.

It has just come out of the bodyshop, where they've managed to remove a large dent in the door, a nasty crack in the rear bumper and also resprayed a number of panels including a replacement front wing and rear spoiler and truly looks exceptional again.

With these rescues, I'm never after perfection, I don't look to build them 'as new', far from it, I love the integrity of time, preservation rather than renew, it produces a Saab with more stories to tell and enjoy, a Saab that remains affordable, yet reliable and ready for many more journeys. With numbers dwindling, these Aeros offer rare and individual ownership, a chance to enjoy what Saab called their ultimate specification.

Aero X Concept

October 20, 2022 Eleven

The Saab Aero X concept was officially unveiled at the 2006 Salon International de l'Auto to huge accolade, 16 years on, it seems to continue to inspire and influence numerous marques, which just shows once again how magical Saabs are.

I’ve been meaning to share a few photos of this astounding Saab for a while now, and seeing recent images of both the Polestar 02 Concept and Koenigsegg Jesko, both having strong design associations with the Aero X, reminded me to share them.

And of course, being a Saab, they were already focussing on lower emissions with a 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine running entirely by bioethanol; ‘performance with responsibility’. The Aero X Concept was also designed to be permanent all-wheel-drive.

The Saab Aero X concept harnesses the power of Saab’s aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that would have inspired future Saabs.

Rather than rewrite what’s already been written on the Aero X Concept, this is a link to an excellent Saab World article which goes into a lot of detail. Suffice to say, I’ve admired this concept for many years, a Saab that never was. Luckily however, it appears to continue to inspire present and future marques and gives us all a reassuring glimpse of what a Saab might have looked like today.

No Place Like Saab

September 20, 2022 Eleven

A rather productive weekend in terms of getting things done, I’ve managed to spend the time required to give the spare 9000 Aero interior a total refresh. Doing this kind of detailed refresh really does give you a chance to see just how beautiful older Saab interiors are, this one for instance, came from a 1996 Aero, that makes it 26 years old. The undeniable quality of the leather, stitching detail, handles that just don’t show any signs of wear and the overall quality of design and form, all exceptional.

Then there’s the Saab smell of course, a smell that only older Saabs have, the interior has been deep cleaned, coloured where required and moisturised, all with the wonderful Gliptone range. It’s currently taking over my home office, but even there, it has the undeniable Saab smell.

I now have a difficult decision to make, do I fit this almost immaculate interior in to the Silver Aero, or hold on to is for another Aero rescue? With the same amount of time, I imagine I can get the current interior up to the same level, so maybe this one should be kept on the shelf for a rainy day project, I can’t quite decide, all I know, is that there really is no place like a Saab.

Family Affair

September 13, 2022 Eleven

Over the years, many people have shared their stories with me, stories about this small Swedish marque that continues to capture our loyalty and adoration, stories of our combined love for Saab.

A few days ago, Tony got in touch and sent me this amazing photo of his and his son's Saab collection; I had to know more. I asked Tony if he'd mind me sharing it with everyone, and he has kindly agreed, a truly wonderful Father and Son Saab story…

I took proud ownership of my first Saab back in 1999, having been persuaded to try the brand by a close friend; a stunning blue 9-5 griffin. I fell in love instantly and have remained so ever since.

Whilst many of my colleagues were choosing the usual German rivals, I relished in being a Saab owner and visibly different. I loved the many and varied Swedish design concepts, the car's exceptional safety record, the sumptuously detailed interior, and as I came to understand the brand, its continued nod to Saabs heritage.

In 2011, when the brand sadly stopped trading, it was my queue to expand my Saab ownership and to play a part in ensuring that these wonderful cars stayed alive and well. I have rescued several of my fleet from the sure path to the scrapyard and am proud of what my son and I have achieved in the last few years.

Whilst the Aero, Griffin and Viggen are being authentically restored to factory condition or better, the others are being maintained to reflect their full histories, dings and all! With a wish list still unfulfilled we hope to add a few more stunning old Saabs to the collection, including a 9000 aero and a 900 ruby.

What makes an Aeroriginal?

September 8, 2022 Eleven

For each Saab Aero I rescue, I try to add a few small touches of individuality, modifications that subtly enhance the aesthetics of the build, drivability, comfort or handling. Not all of these can be bought 'off the shelf' of course, and these beautifully crafted metal mesh grilles are one of those items.

I originally commissioned Fraser to make one of these for an early build, a 9-3 HOT Aero, closely followed by another early 9-5 Aero. Each time they arrived, I was reminded of the care and attention that had gone in to making them, the metal mesh neatly finished and tucked under the original Saab grille frame, the condition of the outer frames he'd sourced, the quality of coating when I'd chosen to have them in Satin Black.

The grilles help create the overall visual impact of the car, and whilst the original forms are kept totally identifiable, the mesh adds a small point of difference which helps sets an Aeroriginal apart from other Aeros.

Many have asked about having one of these grilles made, so I’ve spoken to Fraser and he’s happy to take more commissions, depending on the donor grille, prices start from around £120.

Bespoke Mesh Grille | Fraser Davison

Griffin from the flames

August 22, 2022 Eleven

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It’s safe to say that if this gorgeous 9-5 Aero had been left for much longer, it would have been a very different outcome and might never have shone again. Mechanically, the sump had never been dropped and cleaned, the gearbox and engine oil were filthy (what was left of them) and not only had the oil cooler hose and unit been damaged, but the gearbox oil pipes had also deteriorated. Also the timing chain XX had almost worn through, and if it had gone completely, would have damaged the engine beyond sensible repair.

As it is, we’ve replaced everything that needed doing and the Saab undertook a 200 mile journey over the weekend and performed flawlessly. We haven’t added a Stage 1 remap from NoobTune yet, but the standard Aero boosts beautifully and exceptionally smoothly too. The cleverly utilised 9-3 Hirsch back box that Malcolm Miles fabricated together for me, looks and sounds great and adds a lovely touch of style and the new brakes and Abbott suspension feel as tight as the day it came out of the factory.

Whilst the interior is immaculate, the bodywork has plenty of patina; stone chips, dents and numerous marks, some of these we’ll address, but some will remain, this is an economy rescue and the original paint deserves to be honoured. We’ve given areas of corrosion underneath a good clean up, taking off surface rust and giving it a protective coat of Waxoil, we’ve also replaced one of the petrol tank straps that looked a little worse for wear.

To celebrate it’s rising from the flames, I gave it its first proper clean down and hugely excited by how it’s turning out, the 19” VXR alloys, although controversial to some, give the 9-5 a fantastic style and together with the Abbott springs, make the stance absolutely mesmerising.

I’m slowly machine polishing the entire car and once I’m done, it’ll go in for the worst panels to be repainted, most notably the passenger side rear arch, but overall, the Silver paintwork presents well.

This 9-5 Aero captures the reason I love rescuing Saabs, with the right mechanical work and with a few subtle modifications, they can be saved for many years, not only that, but they look spectacular, put a smile on your face and are becoming a rare sight on our roads. This one will be added to the Aerorignal pages very soon and will make someone very happy I hope.

Silver Linings

August 16, 2022 Eleven

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The silver 9-5 Aero arrived last weekend and was pulled off the transporter looking rather worse for wear, it had been standing for a number of months and really had started to decline. Alongside the split oil pipe, it became clear that not only was the oil cooler damaged, but the gearbox oil pipes were also in need of replacement. Malcolm Miles set to work and changed them all, fitting a replacement cooler and a set of new, old stock hoses, dropped the sump, flushed it all out, and added new engine and gearbox oils and filters.

All discs and pads have also been changed, together with a new set of Abbott Racing lowering springs, surface rust removed and a coat of Waxoil applied to required areas underneath. Broken parking sensors have been replaced, a new battery has been fitted and the Aero has already started coming back to life, the engine runs and sounds beautifully smooth again. I'd also found a set of stunning VXR 19" alloys and these have been fitted, transforming the look of the Saab and given it a more purposeful stance.

I'm hoping to show that we shouldn't give up on these early Saabs that are so often scrapped or broken up, especially ones that have so much potential. Yes it takes time and dedication, but parts are free flowing and with an experienced team to help identify issues, they can be rescued and returned to their former glory on a budget too.

The dashboard is currently in bits and having the gorgeous light satin wood one fitted today, this will again change the overall style and feel of the interior and compliment the prestige leather seats to perfection. The Audio and SID units are in great condition and will just require a deep clean to bring them back again, but the exterior bodywork will require a little more; a number of dents will need addressing as will the general overall finish, but the silver lining is beginning to shine through again on this Aeroriginal and that makes me very happy indeed.

Eco Aeroriginal

August 15, 2022 Eleven

I stumbled across a listing for a 2000 9-5 Aero in need of rescuing recently, it had a split oil pipe and couldn't be driven, it's owner was also in the process of moving to Albania so wanted it to go to another Saab fan.

I've been looking to do a budget build for a while now, but never found the right Saab, I think this could be the one. The listing said it had been well looked after and owner maintained for the past few years, receipts for parts seem to suggest this is true, however, the sump hadn't been dropped and cleaned as listed and the new exhaust from Sweden, wasn't actually the correct one for an Aero.

However, it's original owner had specified the Aero beautifully in my eyes; rare heated and vented 'prestige' leather interior, upgraded audio and even a rare glass sunroof, all in immaculate condition too. The dark wood dashboard was beginning to delaminate, so a beautiful, light wood replacement in a satin finish has been food to really enhance the retro feel.

It also arrived with a set of Saab Double Bridge 17 x 7.5 alloys fitted, although I like them, the build calls for something a little more special, so a set of 19" Hyper Silver VXR alloys have been sourced which look absolutely stunning on the 9-5.

The metallic silver paintwork is generally in good condition, although one of the rear arches has suffered a large scrape and one of the doors has a nasty scratch on it, but overall I think it’ll clean up beautifully. The underbody has a few areas that will require a bit more work; around the drain holes mostly, but other than that, a good wire brush and Waxoil will get it back to a good standard again for an early gen 1 9-5. It also has a 100% MOT pass rate; 17 MOT's with not a single fail.

I'll bee listing all costs at the end of the build, but wanted to prove to myself that a beautiful Saab Aero could be created on an economy, I'll be scrounging a few parts where I can and also utilising some of my finds, including a Hirsch rear boot lip, Hirsch back box and a few other goodies to make it feel a bit special again.

The Journey of a Saab 9000 Aero

August 3, 2022 Eleven

Built in Trollhättan, Sweden in the Winter of 1997 and sold by Ballards of Finchley for £30,225, the Saab was kept by its original owner for the next 11 years and covered just 64,000 miles. It was then purchased by its second and only other owner in 2008, who went on to keep the car for the next 13 years, however, it only covered another 43,000 miles and currently shows 107,000. Since 2019, the 9000 Aero was rarely used and became a little unloved until I heard about it late 2021.

Although it was running, it required plenty of attention; belts loose and noisy, head gasket leaking, ABS sensor fault, the suspension had seen better days, gearbox mounts had deteriorated and although the 9000 was solid at the front, the rear half required some cleaning and welding.

The driver’s door had been replaced and fitted badly, but the original one was provided with the car and although it has a dent to repair, it’s been put back on and fits beautifully again, the passenger side wing had rusted and has now also been replaced by another genuine part, but other than that, the bodywork is remarkably free from rust.

After a number of months spent at Malcolm Miles, the 9000 finally went for its MOT and passed with flying colours, a real tribute to the team for dedicating so much time and expertise bringing another Saab Aero back to life for me.

Aesthetically, the only renovation and modifications to be done so far, are fitting new Saab shocks and lowered Abbott Racing springs, having the iconic Super Aeros refurbished in a darker metallic grey and adding a full set of new Michelin Primacy tyres. After a few weeks of driving and snagging, it’ll be heading off for some paintwork and detailing and then finally, the interior will most likely be treated to a recolour.

Being a 25 year old car, it’s far from perfect and nor should it ever be, I love to see and feel each Saab’s journey, hear it’s story and honour them for what they are. Cars aren’t built like this any longer, and although they’ll never be worth tens of thousands of pounds, I still see the beauty in saving them for many years to come. There’s a lost art in building cars this well, ones that were built to last, to stand the test of time and make their owners proud, this Aero has the ability to do that now, possibly for many thousands of miles, it’s journey continues…

9-5 BioPower by Rinspeed

July 19, 2022 Eleven

Back in 2007, there was an ever growing focus on the automotive industry showing more respect for the environment, Saab being Saab, had already given us their 9-5 BioPower, but for the Geneva Motor Show, they went one step further.

In a rare collaboration with German tuning house; Rinspeed, Saab presented a tastefully modified 9-5 BioPower to show the world that eco technology didn’t have to be bland.

Not only was this 9-5 finished in an exceptionally eye-catching metallic yellow, but futuristic materials were used extensively inside the cabin to redesign the dashboard, doorcards and even featured seats trimmed with Technogel.

The 9-5 BioPower E85 engine produced 180hp and could be run on either pure bioethanol producing significantly lower CO2 emissions, regular unleaded fuel or a mixture of both.

Aesthetically, Rinspeed managed to give the 9-5 the perfect lift it needed, lowered suspension, 19” AEZ alloys and numerous styling modifications that enhanced the 9-5’s original futuristic design. Whilst I’m not a fan of interior so much, I think the exterior modifications gave the Saab a fantastic style and one I’d be very tempted to replicate if a BioPower wagon happened to come my way.

Saab Design Study

July 15, 2022 Eleven

There are numerous reasons why I believe Saab made such exceptional cars, not least, their infinite design capabilities. Driven by both form and function, Saab managed to bless us with superior innovation and refined details for some 66 years.

I've always been so impressed with Saab Design, that I thought it was about time I shared a few of them occasionally. As I'm currently in the process of saving a 1997 9000 Aero, I'll begin with one of my personal favourites; Super Aero alloys part numbers: 400100491 / Cap 400100707. 16 x 6.5" with an offset of 27. These stunningly simple, 3 spoke wheels managed to help give the 9000 Aero a totally unique aesthetic.

Manufactured by RONAL, the Super Aeros have the ability to look larger than they actually are, and is one standard wheel I can't bare to change. These wheels suit the 9000 so perfectly I can't imagine the Aero models with anything else.

For my 9000 project, I've chosen to have them fully refurbished and powder coated in a darker metallic grey, this will help create a contrast to the Silver paintwork and help highlight the Rocky Black Aero interior even further. It wasn't a standard option when the 9000 Aero was launched, but feel it adds a touch of individuality without compromising its overall design integrity, my whole reasoning behind Aeroriginal.

Shed Mentality

July 6, 2022 Eleven

Yesterday, Andy at Malcolm Miles Saab borrowed my Aston Martin to take his daughter to her Prom, I dropped it in, immaculatly clean and looking stunning, and was given the keys to their current loan car; a first generation 9-3 LPT. Obviously a world apart in just about every way you can imagine, but here’s the thing, I enjoyed driving it just as much as the Aston Martin.

A few bits of trim missing, Gorilla tape where the arial should be, paintwork in need of a good machine polish, worn badges and small, dirty alloys, but open the door and you’re welcomed to a familiar interior that, despite it’s age and lack of care, has stood the test of time and genuinely felt fantastic to sit in. Half leather Turbo seats with very little wear, an immaculate but dirty Carbon dashboard, audio and heating units with bright, perfect screens and comforting heated seats. No rattles, no squeaks, just a Saab that belies it’s run down appearance.

Then we get to its real heart, the low pressure turbo, two litre engine was as smooth as any I’ve driven, the gearbox easy and fluid and a lively surge of power that just moved the 9-3 perfectly along with absolutely no fuss whatsoever. The soft, bouncy suspension, small wheels and large tyres, made every bump and surface just fade in to the background and the steering, sharp and accurate.

Its pièce de résistance though, has to be its ability to inspire a complete and utter ‘who cares’ mentality; new road surface and flying shards of gravel, who cares, potholes, dirt, car park dinks, nah, who cares! Just sit back in the comfort of knowing that the Saab you're driving is as solid as a rock, has more individuality than most new cars and might cost you a grand total of £1 - 1,500, there's a real sense of reassurance in that.

High Mile Club

June 30, 2022 Eleven

I have to admit, that I’m not always great at keeping up with the High Mile Club, endless entries arrive in my inbox and I just don’t seem to have the time to edit them all, request photos and generally keep it bang up to date. Apologies to those Saab folk who might have tried recently but not seen their pride and joy appear on the website, however, I’m having a surge of proactiveness and trying to backdate a number of requests.

It’s always amazing to see the shear variety of wonderful high miles Saabs out there, some range from the entry level 125,000 miles, most around the mid 100,000’s, but then some come in at more weighty mileage, 8 - 900,000 miles. What I love most about running this page, are the Saab stories you share with me.

Annely, from Denver, kindly sent this little story to me recently, someone who continues to believe in Saab, but also sees the changes that have happened over the years and the maintenance issues we can all face:

“ I had this vehicle for 28 years and reached 306,000 miles, it was in pristine condition both inside and out, I had all the service records and the original manual and brochures. When it needed a new clutch (manual) and a new head gasket, I decided to donate it to our local high school thinking that the mechanic shop class would do the work and sell it. Unfortunately, the school sold it to a student before doing the work and ultimately as I followed the VIN, it ended up within a year in the car graveyard. I am sick to think that such a great vehicle had such a sad ending, and wish that I had had the work done (clutch and head gasket) and kept it. It was a tank and I loved it! I did purchase a 2008 SAAB 9-3 Aero XWD sight unseen from a different state. Even after that purchase I couldn't part with the old 1986 but finally did. I really enjoy this car but it is not even close in "solidness" to my 1986 SAAB. My new car is a hotrod and handles superbly. I will keep this one but still pine for my old SAAB.”

Join the club here

More than a feeling

June 28, 2022 Eleven

Almost a year to the day since I took delivery of this exceptional Saab, I watched it being driven off by a fellow Saabist on the next leg of it's journey. The mixed feelings of sadness and joy when this happens are strong ones and over the thirty plus Saabs I've owned and sold, really haven't faded.

I find it hard to explain to intrigued people why I continue to rescue Saabs; it's something that gives me immense pleasure and also an escape from the world. It allows me to dream, plan and implement everything from simple maintenance to modifications and bodywork, It's a pleasure that keeps me (slightly) sane if I'm honest.

I usually focus purely on Aeros, as they offer Saab's vision of the perfect iteration of each model, from the 9000 to the 9-3 and of course, the spectacular 9-5. I look for cars that offer a more unusual spec; colour, different leather, upgraded audio or even just a carbon dashboard, anything that sets them apart from the everyday. Of course, there's one stage above the Aero, and that's a Saab that has Hirsch modifications, they give the car the ultimate edge in my eyes, but are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

This particular 9-5 was only one of a handful in the UK that had been fully converted from factory, not just the remap, but the entire cooling system, Turbo, handling and aesthetics, all given a touch of Hirsch magic. I was sad to see this one go, but the pleasure I see if the faces of their new owners makes me happy. I know that with regular care, they'll give many more years of smiles, and that really is more than just a feeling.

Wabi-Saabi

April 20, 2022 Eleven

Wabi-sabi is the Japanese acknowledgement that there is beauty in every aspect of imperfection.

As time marches on and our SAABs continue their loyal service, Wabi-sabi is something that we have naturally learnt to embrace. We accept them for what they are, sometimes seizing the opportunity to improve where possible. Even the youngest examples are comfortably now over 10 years old, meaning wear and tear is par for the course.

Us SAAB enthusiasts often hear that repeated question: “Where do you get your parts from?”. Surprisingly to some, many parts are still available new and of course there is a loyal fanbase between whom there are various used parts out there.

As with all marques, you will always get parts which are NLA (no longer available) and rare to find used examples of which are in decent condition. If you were to plot parts demand versus availability, there is that small section of the graph where engineers/enthusiasts/entrepreneurs get excited.

9-5 (98-05) beige front door handles are a great example of this.

For some reason, presumably the chemical compound, the 98-05 beige handles wear much quicker than the grey equivalents, often adopting a green tinge and/or delaminating in the process.

SAAB fanboy James has decided to do something about this. Taking a NOS (new old stock) pair of grey handles and associated caps, he has used these to create a rather complex silicon mould, allowing a polyurethane copy to be cast. The result is a geometrically identical reproduction. He has matched the colour as closely as he could to a beige plastic door-bin but does acknowledge that they’re a lighter shade than he’d hoped for.

In his own words, “They’re not perfect, but they are a solid 9/10. If you want better, you’d best hold out for a genuine set, and have your wallet at the ready!”.

James is producing a limited run of reproductions, knowing that after approximately 50-60 casts, the integrity of the silicon mould will degrade and be retired to the shelf.

A set of 2 handles and 4 caps available from James for £110 plus post. He has even gone to the bother of sourcing the clips from Sweden (part number 9797200), and these are available for £7 per set (whilst stocks last!).

Parts can be sent anywhere in the world, but typical postage cost is £5 within UK, £15 within Europe or £20 to U.S.A.

James can be contacted via: Email | www.uksaabs.co.uk (username jamesvey).

Interior Design

March 7, 2022 Eleven

No Saab project is complete without a bit of interior design, it’s the place we spend most of time, the place that gives us the sense of being in a car that is a bit special, a bit individual. Over the years, I’ve always looked out for the rarer parts that help with this feeling, the Carbon dashboards, Hirsch handles and pedals, or even just a new genuine Saab leather gear knob, but nothing makes quite so much difference as a new steering wheel.

This must now be my sixth or seventh wheel from TunStyle, and I’m always reassured by the quality of craftsmanship; perfect form, just the right level of chunkiness and absolutely superb Nappa leather, part perforated and beautifully stitched. Luckily the airbag and buttons in this 9-5 are in great condition, so with a little clean, it looks like a new interior again.

TunStyle tunstyle.eu | Instagram

Stop and stare

February 17, 2022 Eleven

When I purchased the 9-5 Hirsch Aero I noticed that the front brakes weren’t the upgraded Hirsch ones but the standard Aero specification. The previous owner had included the refurbished Hirsch callipers, larger discs and performance pads in the sale, but had never tried to fit them.

On the car’s first inspection, we tried to install them, but realised the callipers had become seized so left them off, and instead, replaced just discs with Tarox drilled and grooved ones. Over 1000 miles of so, these just haven’t been up to the standard required for the 305hp and weight of the car so we thought we’d try again.

The Hirsch callipers have all been dissembled, freed up and installed and signs are looking positive, although they are huge. To increase wheel clearance slightly we’re installing a set of 5mm MapTun spacers front and back which will also increase the overall track of the car by 10mm.

Another stunning Nappa leather sport steering wheel is also on the way from TunStyle just to finish off the interior properly. The craftsmanship is absolutely superb and really transforms the look and feel of the car which is quietly for sale here.

Drive My Car

February 9, 2022 Eleven

Probably a little late to the party for this one, but I hadn’t heard about this film until today, the hero; an immaculate, classic red Saab 900 Turbo.

’Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku, a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari, a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki, a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife. Forced to confront painful truths raised from his past, Yusuke begins - with the help of his driver – to face the haunting mysteries his wife left behind’.

Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story, Drive My Car is a haunting road movie traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance, and peace.

Drive My Car | drivemycar.film

Prolific Builds

February 7, 2022 Eleven

We all know how addictive the Turbo boost is on our Saabs, and anyone that doesn’t have a huge grin when they prod the loud pedal has got to be a little bit soulless. Now imagine what 500hp of Turbo boost would feel like!

A few talented guys over in Manchester, Connecticut seem to be having a fantastic time with their Saabs lately, they’re not only fabricators, welders and mechanics, but racers too; ‘car life forever’ as they say.

One of their current builds is a gorgeous 9-3 2.8 XWD manual with a handmade 3” straight pipe exhaust paired with a tubular manifold, massive Borg Warner Turbo producing 19 -20psi boost (turned down) and to top it all off, delivers an epic soundtrack. I’d be smiling to if I had one of their Saabs.

Prolific Builds Instagram | YouTube