| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 18 May 2011 : 20:50:40
Right then, Blue SAAB sold so in a couple of weeks I will be hiring a trailer and driving up to Ross on Wye to collect this one and bring it down to Plymouth.
I found these photos so thought I would put them on here to give you an idea what the car is like...
These photos are from a couple of years ago but I was up there a few weeks back and aside from a little more dust the car looks the same. The garage is bone dry which is a result. Engine turns over by hand and I reckon a weekends work would see it MOTd.
I will post again when I head up to collect the car.
Cheers |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 18 Aug 2020 : 22:34:06
Been a while since posting anything on this one too.
Left off with some painting that ended badly. I was using a twenty year old tin of paint which showed promise and was a very good colour match but ended with some kind of light green from the bottom of the pot splattering the finished job. Gave up as winter was drawing in and ordered some supplies from Brighton Auto Paints. Sent them an original elephant ear and the match came back very good.
Now sprayed and happy with the finish, just need to flat a little to try and blend in with original paint.
Another job was to fit this
Not the exact steering wheel I was looking for (would really like one like Roger has in his two stroke) but myself and the seller were able to come to an arrangement that helped him out with some parts he needed and I think it looks pretty good. Bit worried it might be turning into a sixties Jag which is definitely not what I am aiming for!
Next interior job is probably to sort the door cards out. These are original and I cut some holes in them (nearly thirty years ago - wow!) for speakers as the most important thing when seventeen was to have a banging stereo! Anyone know if you can get SAAB branded speaker grills that could cover up the holes? No desire for actual speakers, only need the grills.
Cheers |
| RhysN | Posted - 01 Oct 2019 : 02:20:50
Great work! |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 30 Sep 2019 : 22:22:14
A big thank you to the fellow SAABer who I met last month and very kindly gave me a set of carpets for the 96.
Fresh back from the dry cleaners and in the car and looking good!
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| melle | Posted - 15 Aug 2019 : 13:36:34
Nice job!
www.saabv4.com |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 14 Aug 2019 : 22:44:41
Right then, bit more improving this one. Going for preservation rather than restoration so trying to retain as much original paint as possible.
Since getting this one back on the road it has had a temporary rear wing due to the original needing repair. However, the original is mostly good with original paint so chopped out the grot and welded some new metal in.
Decided to leave that dent till after welding - came out nicely with a sandbag and hammer.
And first stage of painting.
In the background we also have the original front panel. Again the car has been wearing a badly painted and chopped about front panel since being back on the road.
The biggest problem with the original panel is that it has been driven over while on the garage floor (don't ask...)
You can just about see in the picture the OS of the panel is out of shape. Anyway, spent a bit of time faffing on with hammers and the like and got it to a shape I'm happy with. Also drilled out the spot welds for the US conversion (kept the bits in case I want to return to original) plus welded up a few extra holes that have been drilled over the years.
This is where I have ended up.
I was hoping to save as much original paint as possible but it has so many pockmarks from stone chips I may have to spray the whole thing - as yet undecided.
Next step is paint for both panels then build up the front panel using the best bits I have. I will also either paint or zinc plate the headlight bowls.
Cheers
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| Dirtbiker | Posted - 30 Jul 2019 : 22:53:30
Thanks Jimmy - mine is Tyrolean Green but has a few different shades going on...
Front wings and passenger door were replaced and painted in about 1998 and the rest is mostly original.
I would love to recommend Derek who did my interior but he is retired and just does the odd bit here and there. These seats took him a year and he has an Ercol Sofa for Mrs Dirtbiker to do plus our T25 Camper lined up...! |
| Jimmys old Saab | Posted - 29 Jul 2019 : 00:45:07
Great work you're doing there :)
Same age and interior colour as my '96; which green is it? Mine is Tyrolean green but yours looks a shade or two different.
Who did the seats?
Saab 96 1971
Saab 9000 CSE turbo 1993
VW T5 LWB 2012
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| Dirtbiker | Posted - 26 Jul 2019 : 17:34:50
Right, thought I had better start improving the rest of the interior to match the nice seats. I started with some Dynamat.
I was initially reluctant to use a modern product that struck me as a bit garish but decided to go for it. Actually quite satisfying to apply even for someone who is useless with any kind of glue or paint based product...
I then fitted the original to this car hardboard sheet which has the nice painted text - I remember seeing green96v4 stenciling the text on in his thread - that's commitment!
Next up in went a set of rubber mats borrowed from my rusty 95 and a spare carpet set from the loft.
I used this to clean up the mats: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maxolen-Rubber-Revive-250ml-Tyre-and-Rubber-Trim-Surround-Mats-Cleaner-Dressing/261461794712?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
and was cery pleased with the results.
The car should have the ribbed type of carpets which a fellow Saaber has promised me (thanks!) but these will do for now until we meet up - probably Swedish Day next year.
Cheers for now! |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 24 Dec 2018 : 18:58:43
Never had a nice interior before and I am surprised by the how much I am enjoying it!
Eames elephant was first birthday present for Junior last year and the plan is to take a photo of him net to it every year. At least until he is a teenager and refuses! |
| greg124 | Posted - 22 Dec 2018 : 18:15:28
Looking very smart |
| melle | Posted - 22 Dec 2018 : 10:23:28
Posh! Love the Eames elephant by the way.
www.saabv4.com |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 21 Dec 2018 : 20:17:39
Quite a lot happening in Dirtbiker SAAB world this week.
This turned up.
And in.
Cheers |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 15 Dec 2018 : 22:33:08
Hi All,
Not a huge amount happening with this one as been focusing on the 95. Got a bit done though. We now have a pair of front seats with headrests.
Big thank you to the fellow Saaber who sent me a set of NOS plastic inserts for the tops of the seat backs - they look great!
Also treated the car to a set of new Firestone F560s and had the wheels powder coated satin black at the same time.
The 95 is now basically done so plan to get this one in the garage for a few cosmetic jobs in the new year.
Cheers |
| Dirtbiker | Posted - 11 Jun 2018 : 22:25:06
Thanks for all the nice comments!
Chris, good point and long story. Derek was going to put eyelets in but didn't have the tool for the right size and I hadn't given him my single plastic plug as I hadn't found it at that point and actually had kind of forgotten all about the seat trimming as I gave him the seat months ago... Anyway, he sees no issue with making a hole and fitting the plugs at this stage - I'm not doing it though!
Clive - I have just remembered to have a look at your thread on the other forum, bedtime reading for tonight sorted then!
Cheers |
| greg124 | Posted - 10 Jun 2018 : 01:22:07
It's always difficult to make a choice when offered a number of colours which are not exactly original, but that looks great Gareth
cheers
Clive |
