While it is not a genuine SAAB accessory (although I would like to be corrected), this cover will protect the dash top from harmful sunlight that leads to a drying a cracking … for those lucky enough to live in a country that gets regular sun, that is :)
Notice the cut-out on the left-hand side … I believe that is where the VIN plate is presented on cars in the US. I would like to hear from someone to confirm whether that is infact true, otherwise what its purpose it.
That’s Hungarian … Tankcsapda (or ‘Tank Trap’ in English) are a rock band from Hungary and this song, which literally translates to ‘Lasts Eternal’:
So whose is that lovely convertible in the video? The car belongs to the President of the Hungarian SAAB Club - Égő Ákos and while it graces this video as a good looking Classic 900 convertible, this car is far from normal.
Ákos tells me than Tankcsapda sound like a Hungarian Motörhead normally, although this ballad might not be their best representation of that kind of sound - why not check them out for yourselves at http://www.tankcsapda.hu
… back to this Ákos’ convertible. Ákos pointed me to his blog at http://etanol.blog.hu/ where there is some excellent information about converting the Classic 900 over to run ethanol based E85 fuel. Man, I wish I could read Hungarian!
Back on the Classic 900 Forum, one of his countrymen and long time Classic 900 Special Editions reader, Korzo tells me that Ákos has also installed other moderisations, such as Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED daylight running lights and all sort of other projects that are a quantum leap forward for modernising our Classic 900 cars. Needless to say, we (the forum) have invited Ákos in to tell us all about what he has done to his car. We wait with bated breath …
Over on SAAB Central, we were faced with a little mystery a short while ago … one of the readers wondered what this key was for that he’d found in the car …
… easy … once he’d told us he had a louvre, the whole mystery became clear. It’s a key for detatching the Thermoform/SAAB rear window louvre.
Built by C&L Hydraulics, these pictures are of a radical Lowrider Euro (Toyota Corolla 1980). It was built to compete for the compact import title. This car has hundreds of body modifications. Below is a brief summary of the main modifications.
• Custom built frame
• V8 Engine
• Jaguar differential
• SAAB front end
• Trunk has been molded (rear end removable)
• Suicide doors
• Chop top
• Custom sound system
• Switch driven
• Hydraulics (for suspension and to raise the body)
• Custom paint and murals
While browsing the Classic 900 Pool on Flickr this afternoon, I was stopped in my tracks by a wonderful sight! What’s this? An early Classic 900? Very rare wheel style, now! Gleaming red! Wow! Gorgeous!
Following on from this older post, showing off a delightful , I present this gorgeous Monte Carlo yellow convertible owned by Andrus from Estonia.
Sporting specially re-trimmed seat covers and door cards, the owner has given this Monte Carlo a stunning makeover.
For more information about SAABs in Estonia, pop over to their SAAB Club Website at http://www.saabnet.ee - don’t be shy if you do not speak Estonian because there are many proficient English speakers over there … in fact a few of them I swear are not actually Estonian at all, given how well they can write in English :)
Note the fuel gauge has been turned around almost 90 degrees so the new face can be slipped over all three needles from the 2 o’clock position (more or less).
I’ve used fibre washers from Kadee (model train products supplier) to prevent the screws digging into the new face.
Close-up of the insides of a Saab c900 fuel/temp/boost gauge. The left-most mechanism is the boost gauge, formed from a ‘closed tube’ made of mostly flat-profile section with a mechanism attached to the closed end to drive the boost gauge needle.
For restoration purposes, may I present a complete set of badges for the Classic 900 T16S (or Aero) for both the 1985-1986 and 1987-1993 production ranges:
Worthty of note here is the square 16 Valve badge that would be placed adjacent to the rear number plate.
… and here, notice that the two turbo emblems for the bonnet sides are slightly smaller than the rear turbo emblem.
