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Turning a beast into a beauty: My build thread.

28K views 129 replies 47 participants last post by  Niclas.J 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey Guys,
New member here but not new to saab. I owned a 9000 Aero a 900 hatch and now this convertible. I always wanted a unique custom car that no one else would have. Saab was the perfect choice. Although I drive a M3 ;) this beautiful vert got handed down to me. I always had a weak spot for a Viggen, so that's exactly what Ill make it. I know alot of you guys would say why not buy a Viggen/Poser , well as much as you are right this car will not look the same like any Saab.

So here it goes Ill try to update as it goes:
The car has been sitting for over a year. Its been outside so it has not been taking the elements very well. Here is how she looked when it came to me day one

Doesn't look tooo bad


And then closely inspecting it here are all the problems. Looks like all thats holding it together are the bird droppings.....

Broken windshield


No its not cocaine loll... oxidized roof


Part 2 my Mercedes in the background lol


Hole


The bigger hole


The dam trunk is gone


I dont even know what happened here


Typical Saab problem ripped seat


Seriously what the helll happened


Block heater is pouring out coolant
 
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11
#2 ·
Fixing time

So alright i know the first images dont work....imageshack.

Decided to fix the first problem the block heater leak. I ended up removing the block heater..who uses it in a convertible. Installed expansion plug. Following that gave the engine a cleaning. Nothing crazy just got all the coolant off.

As you can see my hood shocks are gone.


Next up Will it start???



Battery power good :D SHES ALIVE!!!! Purs like a kitten. No leaks no ticks. Car runs ok. This means that she is ready to be worked on.


Toolbox arrived :)


My new toolbox for the project.


Cleaning time part one


Cleaning interior, also took the dash out to change the cluster bulbs


Quick clean still rough shape though


Door panel came out nice to be honest


Most of interior clean, Installed the rear LED light bulbs and roof LED


Got Hungry lol... Midnight snack


Almost all clean


Day time. Cleaning complete the base stage.
 
#4 ·
At the body shop

Well now the car is at the body shop


Fixing the huge hole in the car, new piece welded


All the little squared are dents and dings


More dents rust dings on this side


More stupid dents and rust on the gas lid. Rear end on this car was pretty bad
 
#5 ·
The body shop Prep for Paint

This is the body at the current stage. The car is pre primed all holes are fixed dents etc. New side quarter is welded up. Windshield frame is sandblasted and repainted. It was cracked and broken. New windshield is installed.

Holes fixed up and primed. Also special epoxy sprayed to soften the paint.


Windshield is out and the frame is fixed


New windshield is installed on the car. With new seal. Next up wet sanding :D


Sneak peak of the door being painted perl blue :D
 
#7 ·
Some parts Ordered

Alright so as for now there wont be update for a bit because the car is in paint shop and the interior is in the upholstery

Exterior
Being painted
- New trunk Viggen spoiler
- New Side Rear Front Bumper Viggen
- Custom Headlights with FX-R projector and Projector Glow
- Full exterior Led kit
- Rims currently what it has....
- Painted perl blue

Interior
-Custom white/black leather viggen interior
-Stiched microsuede dash
-Blue carbon fiber center console and dash

Audio
Polk Db521 Doors
Polk Db651 For the rear
Polk Db321 for the dash
Clarion NX702 In dash unit
Concord (classic) amps for the front and rear speaker
Sub- Pending selection......

Brakes
- Viggen Front brake kit (on order waiting for it patiently )
- Aero Vent rear 308" upgrade brake ( on the way)
- ATE Blue brake fluid
- Stainless steel brake

Suspension
- Eibach Lowering Springs
- Koni Shocks
- Polyurethane bushings will come (when the new control arms go)
- Gs Viggen rescue kit - installed
- Rear anti roll bar GS- Installed
- 6 Point sub frame GS, its installed but rough shape got to sandblast it and repaint

Engine
The car already has a rebuilt engine with claimed forged piston and some other stuff.
- Stage 2 Taliferro tune currently on
- 3" downpipe needed
- Catback exhaust is installed on it currently 2.5"
- Cold Air intake installed
- Forge BPV
- Silicone coolant hoses - ordered might as well install them because old one poop. New thermostat OEM to be installed, new clamps etc
- Valve cover gasket will be replaced valve cover painted BLUE
- Some other minor things .

------------
FUTURE
Top mount turbo. This will come after summer maybe in a year or so. Already put lots of coin in this. Not looking to make this super fast but it would be fun :)

Custom headlight i bought of a member. Im going to repolish out the plastic lens, fix the seal as its all messed up, install new FX-R projector delete the LED, Confirm its installed properly. Install projector Glow.


New clear corners came in :)


Various LED bulbs for the tailights


New Coolant hoses came in :D


Car should be back from the bodyshop on friday. So maybe ill update then :D
 
#31 ·
Alright so as for now there wont be update for a bit because the car is in paint shop and the interior is in the upholstery

Exterior
Being painted
- New trunk Viggen spoiler
- New Side Rear Front Bumper Viggen
- Custom Headlights with FX-R projector and Projector Glow
- Full exterior Led kit
- Rims currently what it has....
- Painted perl blue

Interior
-Custom white/black leather viggen interior
-Stiched microsuede dash
-Blue carbon fiber center console and dash

Audio
Polk Db521 Doors
Polk Db651 For the rear
Polk Db321 for the dash
Clarion NX702 In dash unit
Concord (classic) amps for the front and rear speaker
Sub- Pending selection......

Brakes
- Viggen Front brake kit (on order waiting for it patiently )
- Aero Vent rear 308" upgrade brake ( on the way)
- ATE Blue brake fluid
- Stainless steel brake

Suspension
- Eibach Lowering Springs
- Koni Shocks
- Polyurethane bushings will come (when the new control arms go)
- Gs Viggen rescue kit - installed
- Rear anti roll bar GS- Installed
- 6 Point sub frame GS, its installed but rough shape got to sandblast it and repaint

Engine
The car already has a rebuilt engine with claimed forged piston and some other stuff.
- Stage 2 Taliferro tune currently on
- 3" downpipe needed
- Catback exhaust is installed on it currently 2.5"
- Cold Air intake installed
- Forge BPV
- Silicone coolant hoses - ordered might as well install them because old one poop. New thermostat OEM to be installed, new clamps etc
- Valve cover gasket will be replaced valve cover painted BLUE
- Some other minor things .

------------
FUTURE
Top mount turbo. This will come after summer maybe in a year or so. Already put lots of coin in this. Not looking to make this super fast but it would be fun :)

Custom headlight i bought of a member. Im going to repolish out the plastic lens, fix the seal as its all messed up, install new FX-R projector delete the LED, Confirm its installed properly. Install projector Glow.


New clear corners came in :)


Various LED bulbs for the tailights


New Coolant hoses came in :D


Car should be back from the bodyshop on friday. So maybe ill update then :D
:respect: Wow thats some shopping list!!! :th_MySaab900Like:

I'm making a start on my vert's performance side in the next couple months, handling's done now bar decent tyres...can wait to get back to stage 6!! Stage 1 is killing me!!

Are you going for real C/F or the vinyl stuff? This place below has some nice vinyl:
DECALFX.com! 3D BLUE Carbon Fiber Vinyl! Looks Realistic with WEAVES! Low cost, high quality vinyl film overlay sheets! Textured for hoods, custom interior dash trim moulding! 3M Di-Noc Dinoc wrap
 
#20 ·
Nice! Love the passion and hard effort you're putting in this car b. It will look stunning when it's all done. It will turn heads at the Saab Conventions, for sure you will win an award. Keep up the good work!- Guido
 
#22 ·
car is gonna be cool , i am so envious of your work space. one of these days ill move out of a big city or just have enough money to own a big place in a big city , cant wait to live vicariously through your restoration , more pics when complete please
 
#23 ·
Speaker Update

Thanks for the kind words guys. The car is being restored and no money is being spared for the quality. As stated its currently in the body shop awaiting its paint job, actually the body should be done today. Its snowing here like crazy and roads will be in salt, so im not going to tow it over probably for next couple of days. Dont want salt on the fresh body. Sigh joy of living in Canada

Could not resist to open the package today ;)

These are quality speaker. Polk speakers are always fine balanced.


This was my ex :( Sold her to get her twin M3 :evil:









I PROMISE SAAB WONT BE A DISAPPOINTMENT :)
 
#26 ·
Thanks GUys

Ok Update, Well its a blizzard that went through here so no way in hell am i going to tow the dam thing in this weather. I highlighted in the list whats done/ordered so you can tell the progress

Exterior
Being painted
[- New trunk Viggen spoiler
- New Side Rear Front Bumper Viggen - Waiting for the skid to arrive :(
- Custom Headlights with FX-R projector and Projector Glow - Currently being worked on by LinuxGlobal (best retrofiter in GTA)
- Full exterior Led kit - Installed in the lights just waiting for car
- Rims currently what it has....
- Painted perl blue - DONE :) Waiting for snow to melt

Interior
-Custom white/black leather viggen interior - In the works at shop
-Stiched microsuede dash - Done at upholstery Shop
-Blue carbon fiber center console and dash

Audio
Polk Db521 Doors
Polk Db651 For the rear- Need to install
Polk Db321 for the dash - Need to install when dash back
Clarion NX702 In dash unit --- Need to order
Concord (classic) amps for the front and rear speaker - Need to install
Sub- Pending selection......

Brakes
- Viggen Front brake kit (on order waiting for it patiently )
- Aero Vent rear 308" upgrade brake ( on the way)
- ATE Blue brake fluid
- Stainless steel brake


Suspension
- Eibach Lowering Springs - Awaiting installation
- Koni Shocks - Not ordered but not sure if going with koni anymore
- Polyurethane bushings will come (when the new control arms go)
- Gs Viggen rescue kit - installed
- Rear anti roll bar GS- Installed
- 6 Point sub frame GS, its installed but rough shape got to sandblast it and repaint

Engine

The car already has a rebuilt engine with claimed forged piston and some other stuff.
- Stage 2 Taliferro tune currently on
- 3" downpipe needed - Going to custom exhaust shop
- Catback exhaust is installed on it currently 2.5"
- Cold Air intake installed
- Forge BPV - On order
- Silicone coolant hoses - ordered might as well install them because old one poop. New thermostat OEM to be installed, new clamps etc
- Valve cover gasket will be replaced valve cover painted BLUE
- Some other minor things .

------------
 
#27 ·
Update!!

As you know guys we have had helll of a strom so we could not really work on the car at all. The bodyshop was closed thursday/friday so the car did not get painted but the hood and doors are done. Car is being wet sanded and then she will go into painting. I took the liberty of taking out my back speakers and working on installing the polk Audio :D. The color in the picture does not really show true color. Its much darker and has such a nice perl to it. This is also how it looks before the clear coat and buff.

DOOR


Hood


Door x2


Moose badge thing try out


Old Speaker LOOOL


New speaker installed (going to change the foam)
 
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