Project Graphite Green Progress Report

February 24, 2023 Eleven

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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.

A part of something bigger

February 1, 2023 Eleven

Over the years, I've felt occasional despondence and question if keeping Saabvs going is really worth it, do other's find it useful or even inspiring? If I ever feel like that, I take a quick peek at the analytics and feel a surge of energy; in 2022 alone, over 11,000 individuals visited the site and well over 35,000 site views.

Understandably, the majority of visitors came from the UK, US, Nordics and Italy, but also from places as diverse as Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Kharkiv, Volyn and Kiev in Ukraine and even Amman in Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, all told, Saab folk from 99 of the world’s 195 countries have visited Saabvs, in a single year, that’s over 50%.

I've always found it reassuring to know that a tiny site dedicated to a single marque can bring so many people together, a truly global appreciation of our Saabs, I feel exceptionally humbled and also privileged to be a part of a global community.

Turbo X

February 1, 2023 Eleven

It's been a long six months since the illustrious Turbo X arrived. From the moment it was pulled off the transporter, it became evident that something was very wrong; it just would not start. After endless advice from the Saab community, sadly, none of which worked, we finally came to the realisation that it was something more than a failed fuel pump, weak battery or faulty electronics.

The engine came out and the diagnosis of a slipped timing chain came to light, an entirely new chain kit and followers were sourced together with a new upgraded clutch, gaskets and hoses, and today, the engine has gone back in place. A load of work still to do, a 'spare' 2.8 V6 lump by its side and various modifications yet to be done, but it shows vital signs of life again.

Any other Saab might not have warranted such financial pain, headaches or time, but the Turbo X, especially a manual, is one that deserves the extra effort.

I'd been searching patiently from an unmolested example for a long time, and the original Turbo X brochure words capture the reasons why so perfectly :

Black is back. Thirty years ago, Saab stunned the automotive world by revealing its first turbocharged model. Now, with the Saab Turbo X, Saab for the first time unleashes its jet-inspired turbo power through Saab XWD. It’s not just all-wheel drive, it’s an innovative cross-wheel drive system. Thanks to 'rightsizing', the 280 bhp, 24-valve, 2.8 V6 turbo engine has the characteristics of a V8 engine: 295 lbs-ft of torque and an acceleration of 0–62 mph in 5.7 seconds. As if this wasn’t enough, the sport-tuned chassis, brakes and electronic control system combine to give you the ride of your life. The Saab Turbo X is the true heir to the classic Saab Turbos of the 70s and 80s. It is available in a limited edition and only comes in jet black as an homage to the original Saab 900 Turbo. So take a good look, a car like this only comes around every thirty years.

The jet black limited-edition Saab Turbo X is the extreme performer of the new Saab 9-3 range. Descended from the iconic Saab 900 Turbo, it introduces Saab’s innovative XWD technology that delivers an impressive level of driver involvement and dynamic chassis control never seen before from Saab. Quite simply, the Turbo X is Saab’s ultimate driving experience. We lowered the sport-tuned chassis by 10 mm and optimised the springs and dampers to minimise body movement. Larger internally ventilated disc brakes at the front and externally ventilated rear discs increase stopping power. 30 years in 5.7 seconds. The heart of the Saab Turbo X is, of course, the engine. A 24-valve, 2.8 V6 turbo powerhouse that generates 295 lbs-ft of torque between 2,150 and 4,500 rpm and maximum power of 280 bhp at 5,500 rpm. Press the pedal and it takes you from 0–62 mph in 5.7 seconds. Just like that, Saab’s 30 years of turbocharging experience flashes by. This has to be the fastest history lesson ever. And the most enjoyable.

We've got a way to go yet, but hopefully, over the next month, I'll finally get to drive the Turbo X. I'm truly hoping it lives up to it's reputation as Saab's ultimate driving experience. Finger's crossed.

Guardians

January 23, 2023 Eleven

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Every time I watch another Aeroriginal Saab drive away with its new owners, I can't help but think that we're only ever guardians, tasked with not only enjoying these Saabs, but also maintaining them for the future too. There appear to be so many that are constantly being scrapped, even when they might have a chance of being saved.

This weekend, a lovely family arrived to collect the 9000 Aero, the children with huge smiles on their faces, happily jumped into the cosseting Recaro back seats and pulled their seatbelts around them, whilst their father dreamt of future family road trips and cross European travels. It was my reward, all that I really need to see at the end of a rescue.

A little over a year ago, the 9000 had been looking exceptionally sorry for itself, panels needed changing, covered in moss and dirt and running poorly, the exhaust was falling off, it had oil leaks, a broken heater matrix, the windscreen was falling out and the wheels and tyres had seen better days. With time and effort, the folks at Malcolm Miles worked through my list of niggles and we fixed each and every one of them. The 9000 was transformed back in to a car to be proud of.

As with each Saab, it had it's own stories, a journey through the years that leads it to where it is today, this one happened to have a very clear and simple story, and even came with a bit of Saab history I haven't seen before, the original factory keys and identity fob - 9000, Location 2, Parked by 36, Stock ID 430279

Swiss Precision

January 18, 2023 Eleven

I’ve always had a huge love of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi, and my fascination for ones modified by Hirsch is well documented, but to me, there is one fabled edition that far surpasses any other; the 9-5 TQT.

From my many research missions, I’ve only ever really found a handful of information about this special edition Saab, and it seems to precede Hirsch altogether, almost the forefather of our esteemed Hirsch Saabs shall we say.

TQT stands for Titanium Quality & Technology and was crafted by a Swiss tuning company; Titan AG in Zurich. There appear to be only 7 of these spectacular Saabs ever created, but the specification is a thing of beauty, with upgraded Turbo, intercooler and induction pipes, modified exhaust, Brembo brakes, sport suspension and, according to legend ‘a very aggressive’ Sportec remap offering 340ps and 560Nm.

Visually, the TQT came with 18” cross spoke ACE wheels in a satin titanium finish a blacked out front grille and modified front and rear bumper, whilst the inside remained relatively untouched, the headliner and seats did receive a generous helping of dark grey Alcantara.

I took the TQT as a basis for the inspiration behind the Café Racer SportCombi I saved back in 2020, it remains one of my favourite builds, despite causing endless hurdles along the way.

Graphite Green Aeroriginal

January 12, 2023 Eleven

Graphite Green Metallic over Sand leather Saab Aero, how could I resist.

A bit of a risk, as I found this at a dismantlers, it seemed too good to break so they put it up for offer, it has no service history or owner's manuals, but after a thorough check, it has a wonderful MOT history with almost 100% pass rate, exceptionally low milage at 75,000 and just 5 previous owners; so how the hell did it end up at a scrapyard?

Rust? Well no, it's been up on the ramp and besides the usual rear arch corners, the bodywork and underneath are solid. Engine? It has a large oil leak and the cam cover has been fitted badly, but seems to have a new Turbo, runs beautifully and absolutely no knocks or smoke. Accidents, theft? Again, no, completely clear history.

Although I was sold on the colour combination, I also noticed it had a Hirsch boot lip, a rare central rear headrest and mahogany gear selector, not only that, but it had visibly been cherished in the past; numerous polished components in the engine bay and even a faded Saab Owners Club sticker. It also happens to be a gen 2 Aero with shark nose bumper and Bi-xenon headlamps.

Needless to say, it'll have a full mechanical shakedown, we're removing the sump to clean and fit new gaskets, the cam cover will new gaskets too and a huge service; oils, filters, fluids etc.

Modifications incoming will be a DO88 intercooler, Jetex stainless exhaust, NoobTune Stage 3 remap, Bilstein B8 shocks, Eibach springs, upgraded brakes, Saab ALU56 wheels, Michelin PS4 and plenty of other Aeroriginal touches.

Saab Interior Design

January 9, 2023 Eleven

When it comes to Saab interior design, the 9000 Aero has to win hands down, it is quite honestly, a work of art. Both form and function have been taken in to consideration in this sublime space with some of the finest seats ever crafted by Saab, not only that, but the quality, clarity and layout of the instruments is hard to beat.

But what has 26 years and 107,000 miles done to it, has it held up to the test of time? Well, put simply, damn right it has. With these Aeroriginal rescues, I have to rely heavily on the people around me to do the mechanical and body work, but the interior is one element that I absolutely love to do myself, it’s the icing on the cake of each project, the reward at the end of a long hard slog to save a Saab.

I can take my time and give the interior the attention it deserves, I use an Autoglym foam cleaner for the plastics and instruments, leaving it to do its magic and them using a toothbrush, I clean up each and every button and screen, I then use a micro cloth to remove any residue dirt and give any surfaces a coat of a refresh oil. The leather is treated to an intensive cleaner, followed by a touch of Mr Scuff where required and finally a few coats of moisturising liquid Leather, all by Gliptone.

It’s not always possible but any illumination bulbs and broken buttons are replaced, original audio equipment is repaired and reinstalled and finally, I give the glass a clean, inside and out with Autoglym glass cleaner. A Saab interior offers way more than the sum of its parts, it’s a feeling a recognition that you’re driving something a little more individual than other cars, it surrounds you in both comfort and style and quite simply, just feels like home to me.

Dirt don’t slow you down

December 19, 2022 Eleven

As the legendary Porsche guy; Magnus Walker, says, “Dirt don’t slow you down” and he’s right, we tend to like showing our Saabs looking as clean as possible, Sundays spent polishing rather than enjoying. I learnt many years ago that I just don’t have the time to waste making them look immaculate, I want to be out there, driving and enjoying every spare moment I have.

Yes, it was great to see the 9000 Aero looking so lovely when it finally emerged from the bodyshop, but given a few days on the UK roads in Wintertime, and it’d reverted to type, looking purposefully dirty and very much enjoyed. We have salt on our roads of course which has to be constantly removed, but it really won’t harm them for a few weeks without a clean.

I take immense comfort in a dirty car, I don’t have to worry about steering around puddles or avoiding our inspiring country roads, in fact I take the time to actively search them out to truly enjoy the Aero’s wonderful comfort and handling. The fat Michelin Primacy tyres do their job well and soak up plenty of dumps and potholes with ease, whilst the embracing comfort of the interior allows you to sit back and enjoy every moment of the drive.

Get out there and drive I say.

How Much?

November 17, 2022 Eleven

After recently finishing off these 2 stunning Saab Aeros, I carefully calculated how much I’d spent, took a chunky percentage off that cost and added them to the Aeroriginal page. I’ve had a lot of initial interest and questions about both cars, but no immediate sales. This always gets me to thinking about how much people think they’re really worth?

Am I flogging a dead horse trying to rescue these Saabs, does no one really want to pay more than a couple of thousand for a genuinely great car, or am I just bias and believe that these are a far better investment than many newer cars available at this sort of figure?

I’m genuinely interested to know people’s thoughts, I’m coming to yet another crossroads in my journey and feel I might just be taking these on for my personal enjoyment only. Although I feel Ebay is a poor auction site for anything out of the ordinary, it does give high visibility to a larger audience, so will end up listing these 2 beauties on there shortly.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear what others think they’re worth.

Modern Classic

November 8, 2022 Eleven

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'Modern Classics are typically aged between 10 and 30 years old, cars that were good in their day and seem to get better with age'.

Thanks Autocar for making that clear, I've long thought both the Saab 9-5 and 9000 are perfect examples of a Modern Classic, the 9000 especially epitomised Saab as a brand and an innovator of rather special cars that have just got better with age.

What is so sad, is that many of these Saabs have now been either left to deteriorate so much that they're beyond economical repair and get broken for spares, or have vast amounts of miles and have definitely seen better days.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and the ones that have been looked after and cherished, are now seeing increased admiration and praise which they totally deserve. The build quality has proved to be superb, when compared to other prestige marques of the same generation, the Saabs have faired incredibly well, the materials used, overall reliability and safety puts many others to shame.

The 9000 rescue has taken some time, but instantly feels incredibly sorted and comforting on its first few road trips. Saying a car feels like home might be an odd analogy, but a Saab has that effect, it just feels right, I'm just glad that other's are beginning to see just how special the 9000 is, a genuine modern classic.

1997 Silver 9000 Aero £5000 | Aeroriginal

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.

A Saab for Autumn

September 21, 2022 Eleven

I recently came across this absolutely beautiful Saab 99 GLE for sale in Finland and had to share it. Back in 1967, Sixten Sason headed up the design of a car that through a number of generations, would lead us to arguably the most iconic Saab ever built; the 900 Turbo.

The timeless elegance and wonderful colour combination on this particular 99 appeal to my love of retro, a way to escape the less than inspiring modern world, driving along Autumnal roads, burnt orange leaves lazily drifting in its passing presence.

Clasanteri, the Finish dealer currently selling the Saab, explain the car in more detail :

In 1967, the completely new Saab 99 was introduced. The body of the Saab was wide and low two-door saloon, which was later supplemented with a hatchback Combi coupé in 1974 and a five-door saloon in 1976.

From the 92 model to the 96 model, Saab had preferred two-stroke engines in its cars until the mid-1960s. However, it was decided to equip the new model with a four-stroke power source, which Saab acquired from Triumph. The Slant-4 engine was 87 horsepower and in the first Saab 99 models it was 1.7-liter. The modern equipment was electric fan, as well as disc brakes and rack and pinion steering.

This light brown original Saab 99 was bought by baker E. Vuorinen from Vanhalinna on May 25, 1971. Triumph had just upgraded the Saab’s powerplant to an 1850cc engine. Vuorinen sold the car after four years on April 4, 1975 to O. Pesanno in Lieto, who kept the car for more than 20 years until February 27, 1996.

The car still remained in Varsinais-Suomi and it was transferred to Jari Hoikkala in Turku. The next owner was T. Nironen from Littoinen, Turku region, who kept the car for only one year. On August 24, 1999, Saab was sold to North Karelia, for mr. J. Kerminen and the following year 2000 to E. Riikonen.

Riikonen restored the car thoroughly and the car was registered as a museum on September 25, 2000. There are plenty of documents about the restoration. Riikonen kept the car until 2022, when car enthusiasts M. Kakko and E. Riikonen exchanged Saabs with each other. Saab 99 came back to Varsinais-Suomi region, where it was spent its earlier years.

1971 Saab 99 GLE €12,800 | Clasanteri

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.