Tommi’s Saab Site

The seats and interior side panels were pretty much shot in my car. I have been able find only miscellaneous scraps from which I was going to assemble a new interior.

But, before summer I got in touch with a fellow “saabsti” who said that he might have some interior bits and pieces, including some Monte Carlo seats! He wasn’t shure about the condition, but invited me to come and see and take what I need if I found anything useful. As I arrived I was naturally most interested about the Monte Carlo seats. They turned out to be re-upholstered, but in good condition as such. Not as pretty as the originals ofcourse, but I now have Monte seat frames. I figured I will clean them up and use them as such for the time being and have them re-upholstered to the original specs at a later time.

I also got some door panels and rear side panels. The rear side panels will do nicely after cleaning but since they are a bit warped out of shape I need to put them under some weights to straighten them out.

I also got two complete rear seats. Both in very good condition, only thorough cleaning needed.

There was a ton of all sorts of interesting stuff left behind because I couldn’t squeeze them into the 900 Combi… – I think I need to pay the guy another visit…

Some pics:

I have managed to paint some more stuff.

Haha! I’m in Google Streetview… I noticed the Google car, but didn’t think it any further then. But as I just went through some other Streetviews I decided to check if I’m on it also…

I have finally had sufficient time to start painting the various parts that didn’t get painted last year:

So, as you see from the photos I will not have the bumpers chromed. There’s not much sense in it since they were in a really bad shape and required extensive welding and repairs. Making them fit for chrome would be a huge operation.

So, I’ll keep an eye out for good bumpers but will use the painted ones for the time being.

I also tried to source some windscreen and rear window rubber seals from UK (it seems that all the old stocks in Finland have been sold out). I found a supplier but the price was a bit steep at £15 per meter + postage to Finland. I decided to ask a fellow Saabguy Eirik if he knew anyone in Sweden who could maybe supply the seals. A few days later he sent me an SMS that a couple of used but very good seals were availalble. So I ordered those. If they turn out to be bad I’ll then order the ones from UK I guess…

The seals from Sweden are from parted out early V4 95s which had similar seal than two strokes, but the bigger wind screen. Apparently rubber used in V4 95s is much better quality than the two stroke ones and as such last flexible a lot longer (and will not crumble to pieces like the stroker ones).

“Macross” from France sent me the photos of his Saabs – nice going!

Egill from Island sent me these photos. He owned one of the two 1966 Saab 96 Monte Carlos imported to Iceland that year as new. Now, years later he has been able to track down and purchase both cars! The plan is to completely restore at least one of them, maybe both. Egill contacted me about some parts and I forwarded him to the international guy in the Saab club of Finland (Monte Carlos are exceedingly rare in Finland) to help with the parts. Some photos:

Good luck on the project Egill!