1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White
Discussion
silentbrown said:
Spinakerr said:
The 900 continues to turbo its way around the country, and I am working my way through the list of advisories from TR Autos as parts and time turn up.
Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
Scissor Jack? Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
I wouldn't ever get under a car "only supported by a jack" any jack - but for lifting and then with the right proper support in place (axle stand) they are absolutely fine
Do you carry a full sized hydraulic jack around in your car all the time to change a wheel if you get a puncture?
B'stard Child said:
Do you carry a full sized hydraulic jack around in your car all the time to change a wheel if you get a puncture?
It's on stands, so I'm not too worried about the safety - just that compared to a trolley jack they're a PITA. I don't carry a trolley jack in the boot, but I wouldn't use a scissor jack except in an emergency. silentbrown said:
B'stard Child said:
Do you carry a full sized hydraulic jack around in your car all the time to change a wheel if you get a puncture?
It's on stands, so I'm not too worried about the safety - just that compared to a trolley jack they're a PITA. I don't carry a trolley jack in the boot, but I wouldn't use a scissor jack except in an emergency. I have 2 trolley jacks, 4 scissor jacks and one bottle jack - the bottle jack is the one I trust least and will only use as last resort - it's proper f
king sketchy 
Last week it was our five year wedding anniversary, and decided there are two things we always enjoy - a road trip and a swim in Cornwall. Last minute accommodation booked, there was only one choice of vehicle for late night, long distance adventure: the wedding present.
The 900 has been pressed into daily service after our Rover 75 was hit by a van while aprked outside our house (see other thread), and continues to be the reliable, if tatty, chariot of choice. My wife has put on roughly 30k, and after all the work in this thread its mechanically fit and cosmetically miserable.
Still, the whistling of the turbo and 3rd gear acceleration on the A303 dual carraigeways is addictive. It has never been an overly sharp car, but grippy tyres on the 15inch Super Incas, light weight and predictable suspension creates a 'firmly floating' experience. Learn to expect certain roll, throw in revs to plan turbo kick-in and the 900 is a superb A road blaster. The wooden Ital Volanti wheel is a joy to operated and the green instrument backlight gives a truly unique night driving experience.
As the 6 hour drive down reached the fresh air and narrower roads of ST Ives, our playlist from Miami Vice reached a neon zenith and we stepped out without an ache.
We slightly fought for the keys on the way back too.
Brakes are squealing a little, as always - the thought of the front handbrake and 4 caliper rebuild makes me want to weep so I'll work on the wipers and other normal service items while we plot a more involved rust surgery session at TR Autos, now delayed monetarily and temporally by the green 99's carb rebuild.
Good to give the car a decent run!
The 900 has been pressed into daily service after our Rover 75 was hit by a van while aprked outside our house (see other thread), and continues to be the reliable, if tatty, chariot of choice. My wife has put on roughly 30k, and after all the work in this thread its mechanically fit and cosmetically miserable.
Still, the whistling of the turbo and 3rd gear acceleration on the A303 dual carraigeways is addictive. It has never been an overly sharp car, but grippy tyres on the 15inch Super Incas, light weight and predictable suspension creates a 'firmly floating' experience. Learn to expect certain roll, throw in revs to plan turbo kick-in and the 900 is a superb A road blaster. The wooden Ital Volanti wheel is a joy to operated and the green instrument backlight gives a truly unique night driving experience.
As the 6 hour drive down reached the fresh air and narrower roads of ST Ives, our playlist from Miami Vice reached a neon zenith and we stepped out without an ache.
We slightly fought for the keys on the way back too.
Brakes are squealing a little, as always - the thought of the front handbrake and 4 caliper rebuild makes me want to weep so I'll work on the wipers and other normal service items while we plot a more involved rust surgery session at TR Autos, now delayed monetarily and temporally by the green 99's carb rebuild.
Good to give the car a decent run!
bolidemichael said:
How was the swimming?
Actually not bad at all, but we have wetsuits! The best part was the last night (Sunday) that my wife booked over breakfast on Saturday - Carbis Bay Hotel - it had a heated outdoor pool. 
It was the hotel used for the G7 summit a few prime ministers ago - highly recommended on the off season - cheap deals including a decent dinner, near empty when we went and an upgrade from the bog standard room to a suite.
We don't usually get that lucky with accomodation, but the fact we had the place really to ourselves was, naturally, the highlight.
Looks like some customers might be able to afford the sunny season too...!
In other news, the seat really deteriorated today.
Cambs_Stuart said:
There's something to be said about the satisfaction of driving something that takes a bit more planning. When you've got some turbo lag getting it right out of a corner is really satisfying.
Exactly this - normal driving made fun. Exactly what you want from a car - and I'm sure you have it in your fleet too! Hope all is well.This has been a really great thread right from the start. I grew up with these cars and own a C900 which is currently being restored by Steve and the team @ Malbrad in Huddersfield. There was a news article featuring the restoration of my car and other Saabs, feel free to take a look... I can recommend Steve if you need any parts for your car, he has a lot of c900 spares stashed away including some NOS panels, a couple of which were needed for my car.
edit, can't post the link being a new member but if you look for the classic Yorkshire website and scroll to page 8 of the blogs section the story appears.
Thanks for the tips regarding the calve cover restoration you did, I followed your steps and it's turned out great.
If you're willing to travel, I found a company in Nottinghamshire who were able to refurbish my leather seats. Mine had a hole in a similar place to yours, they were able to glue in a new piece of leather and re dye the whole seat so the repair is invisible. they also re-stitched some seams which had come loose. They were very complimentary about the overall quality of the Saab leather. Have a look for interior revival.
Looking forward to the next update, hope the bodywork restoration is progressing well.
edit, can't post the link being a new member but if you look for the classic Yorkshire website and scroll to page 8 of the blogs section the story appears.
Thanks for the tips regarding the calve cover restoration you did, I followed your steps and it's turned out great.
If you're willing to travel, I found a company in Nottinghamshire who were able to refurbish my leather seats. Mine had a hole in a similar place to yours, they were able to glue in a new piece of leather and re dye the whole seat so the repair is invisible. they also re-stitched some seams which had come loose. They were very complimentary about the overall quality of the Saab leather. Have a look for interior revival.
Looking forward to the next update, hope the bodywork restoration is progressing well.
Quick update on the 900 - it has been in Somerset since August (ULEZ curtain call) and is now at TR autos for some sill and battery compartment welding. Then, its off for quotes for a few local bodyshops.
My mum has been learning turbo lag (her only other turbo car was a 1998 Punto TD!)...
I have a full wiring loom(later, non bio-degradeable flavour), and I don't expect it to be properly back ont he road now until late 2025. It becomes ULEZ exempt in 2025/6.
More to follow if I get any pictures on the journey, but the car is most definitely not going anywhere. It just needs a full going over for the next 200k!
My mum has been learning turbo lag (her only other turbo car was a 1998 Punto TD!)...
I have a full wiring loom(later, non bio-degradeable flavour), and I don't expect it to be properly back ont he road now until late 2025. It becomes ULEZ exempt in 2025/6.
More to follow if I get any pictures on the journey, but the car is most definitely not going anywhere. It just needs a full going over for the next 200k!
I would say to anybody getting work done on a cherished classic not to let it slip out of use. Keep it roadworthy in between jobs. It'll have to be stripped for the respray but keep it rolling with the engine and running gear and have the glass out and don't strip it down any more than necessary just to get the paint done. It's the kiss of death if you allow it to become disassembled on a long term basis. Ask me how I know...!
ingenieur said:
I would say to anybody getting work done on a cherished classic not to let it slip out of use. Keep it roadworthy in between jobs. It'll have to be stripped for the respray but keep it rolling with the engine and running gear have the glass out and don't strip it down any more than necessary just to get the paint done. It's the kiss of death if you allow it to become disassembled on a long-term basis. Ask me how I know...!
Don't get me started. Have a MK2 Golf in bits since 2008We dropped in on Tommy and Kayleigh at TR Autos to see the car on the lift and talk through the underside work required.
While we knew the sills at both ends needed work, plus the front valance and maybe a few other bits, I had forgotten my screwdriver prods to the wheel arches all round (see the past pages in this thread...), plus the seams and panels all starting to go.
Some pictures with accusatory fingers occasionally present from a slightly disconcerting hour back with the Saab. I'll have the family size box of cornflakes please:
Also we had decided that the previous owner's battery relocation was lacking somewhat in safety and execution, so Tommy suggested a bathtub rally special and new cabling. I was very keen as this frees up considerable bootspace.
Also one CV boot had decided to yawn open.
All this work would be around 2k (gulp!), and that's before we evn touch the doors, bonnet and sunroof. Eek.
As you can probably imagine, there was only a short debate. This 900 is never going anywhere. Work has begun.
I will be on the hunt for 2 doors, and maybe a bonnet (but they all seem to be worse than ours!).
Rest of it doesn't look too bad though...
The goal is the get the underside decrustified, then work with a nearby painter who works with TR Autos to break down the paint quote. Something I've very much looking forward to, as you can imagine.
In the meantime, here's some treats from Tommy's yard!
That was an expensive approval, but our goal of 2025 ULEZ and tax free motoring is in motion.
While we knew the sills at both ends needed work, plus the front valance and maybe a few other bits, I had forgotten my screwdriver prods to the wheel arches all round (see the past pages in this thread...), plus the seams and panels all starting to go.
Some pictures with accusatory fingers occasionally present from a slightly disconcerting hour back with the Saab. I'll have the family size box of cornflakes please:
Also we had decided that the previous owner's battery relocation was lacking somewhat in safety and execution, so Tommy suggested a bathtub rally special and new cabling. I was very keen as this frees up considerable bootspace.
Also one CV boot had decided to yawn open.
All this work would be around 2k (gulp!), and that's before we evn touch the doors, bonnet and sunroof. Eek.
As you can probably imagine, there was only a short debate. This 900 is never going anywhere. Work has begun.
I will be on the hunt for 2 doors, and maybe a bonnet (but they all seem to be worse than ours!).
Rest of it doesn't look too bad though...
The goal is the get the underside decrustified, then work with a nearby painter who works with TR Autos to break down the paint quote. Something I've very much looking forward to, as you can imagine.
In the meantime, here's some treats from Tommy's yard!
That was an expensive approval, but our goal of 2025 ULEZ and tax free motoring is in motion.
Nothing out of the ordinary there for a used-in-all-weathers 900 - doesn't look too bad actually.
What else you going to do with £2k that'll provide as much entertainment? (Ignoring the standard coke and hookers response!!)
Loving the green V-reg turbo in Tommy's yard - any more pics of that one?
What else you going to do with £2k that'll provide as much entertainment? (Ignoring the standard coke and hookers response!!)
Loving the green V-reg turbo in Tommy's yard - any more pics of that one?
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