1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White

1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White

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Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Friday 5th May 2023
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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.

Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Friday 5th May 2023
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Mikeeb said:
Front handbrake/caliper rebuild isn’t that bad. We used to make it a by animal service job to keep them working nicely.
If you are will or know someone of the Saab brotherhood that would be willing to do the full brake rebuild all round I would be most interested...

Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Sunday 11th February
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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!


Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Monday 18th March
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We 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.

Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Wednesday 20th March
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I think TR's queue may be long... we dropped this off in August!

Spinakerr

Original Poster:

1,193 posts

146 months

Monday 1st April
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An Easter bonus from the Saab ... more rust.

Sadly even more discovered at the jacking points - understandable and predictable given the previous screwdriver-prodding yardsticks, but this is all turning out to be quite expensive...



Front valance finally done.



Those holes near the cross members in various wheelarches...





For dessert, the boot floor. The new custom battery cradle is in (bottom right), new cabling, fusework and terminals installed and the whole area treated to a dinosaur-named Super Tough liner and rust dismissing-treatment.



Happy Easter everyone - may your project be running and bills be small. I'm off to hawk my Easter eggs on the driveway to recoup some pennies.