We have one great Saab story from the Saab Portugal club (SCPC – O Clube Português da marca SAAB). Members of the club have managed to restore and recover one old abandoned Saab Sonnet III.
This is their story…
FIAT LUX
Dear friends and lovers of the classics, the title were to think that it was a Fiat but no, it is a classic or rather a classic sports history that will tell you. Well let’s delay and let’s get to it should be a lot of curiosity.
Dates back to 1970 as this copy of the Swedish brand, say SAAB, left the factory to circulate under the command of a vain pilot, in this case a SAAB Sonett III, equipped with Ford V4 engine with 1500cc that debitava in a good time 65Cvs, making 0-100 in stunning 13 s., for then it was very fast, reaching a top speed of 165km / h. With the whole body in fiberglass was too light to be added the wedge-shaped made that has a very low coefficient of drag (00:31), was also very light which gave the driver a huge driving pleasure, as it could not be a SAAB.
But what I want to tell you is not exactly the description of a Saab Sonett III because this easily, a quick search on the internet, meet. In truth is what this piece specifically went to return to see the light of day. Purchased in again for a Portuguese doctor, it always had the same owner until August 2008 finals, was again purchased by a brand lover, as they had a problem that the then owner could not solve.
The car simply did not work in conditions, picking up but going below showing signs that something serious was wrong with the engine management. Well, granted that was now the owner soon solved the riddle and was not more than a blockage in fireball fuel line, it is clear that without food said not walk.
Resolved that was the problem and merely issues of circumstances the car was consigned to oblivion and never saw the light of day, staying in a basement garage for five long years without even the ignition key have re-entered the door lock. Thus accumulated dust and worse emptied of thought, and it was withdrawn pleased to display before the eyes of the brand lovers and beyond.
Well, the owner decided to put it to sale a way to convince would have to hand him over to a new owner, announcing it like a sales site on the Internet, it soon aroused the curiosity of the leading members of the SCPC – Car Club who promptly called to the contact of the ad, not only for possible interest in the acquisition but why the sale of a car in the pictures showed well being stopped long ago. The owner, tell by the way people very friendly and helpful, explained that in fact it was with difficulty that made the decision to sell the car because it brought bad memories, not by car but rather for reasons that assume he did not want to approach and so we respect the will of him who came proving to be a true “gentleman”.
How should comprise a club lovers of a trade mark may not hold with the vanity fair of each of its members but rather should be governed in ensuring the brand itself and support all vehicle owners that same mark in our if a SAAB. It was in this context that the Club decided to return to for that car to walk in the streets and then return to show its splendor to all those who appreciate the brand and not only, also enjoying a fine example of sportsmanship SAAB 70s then returned the direction the SCPC to come into contact with the owner this time offering free assistance to the vehicle so that he could again for that engine and not only could make it see the light of day again, he had been denied for five long years.
The owner of a sympathy that the whole proof soon accepted the challenge launched by the SCPC and then scheduled day, time and place for the Sonett III was operated upon by people trained and equipped to do breathe again. Come the day there was the team to the designated place and arriving there after descending three huge cellars, relegated to a dark corner, there he was all covered with dust, barely visible white color of the same, with the light limitava- if a fluorescent lamp too weak by dust that had. Well looked like a movie of those where you discover a treasure at the bottom of a cave, in that case was also a treasure but deep in a basement.
Hands-on! Was the order of the team leader who accompanied the owner made sure to work soon and removed the air filter, checked the fuel lines, it was not the car still leak that could lead to a disaster, radiator water , oil level and viscosity of the same, settled then a battery in the trunk of the car until it was discovered that the car had a power cut system of electronic key type, a time security system, whose owner did not know where it was. Churned-then the whole car until the owner said he could be in the side bolsters of the seats et voila, found it broke for the moment of truth for the motor to smoke, unless it is.
With the help of a gas spray carburetor was shot and fall, only took the key and then the Sonett III came to life, growling like an animal waking a hibernating sleep. If voted to verify all levels and added a little more coolant and there was the owner, after five long years, withdraw the same as that which was his bed for so long so he could make light again that beautiful copy of SAAB, make up light (Fiat Lux) then!
Well, my friends after quickly climbing the ramps of the cellars, a good wash and clean all over again had all its brilliance, again had the sunlight to hit that so beautiful specimen with the promise by the owner not sell more and participate in events that the SCPC, without forgetting to be a guaranteed presence next Christmas Dinner SCPC, 8 December.
Are the photos so they can have the idea of what was done here and also a huge hug to the owner of this so beautiful Sonett III, without him none of this would be possible, a person who has demonstrated a huge affection for the brand and for all that she represents for our club.
A club is made up of people living to the community and mutual aid, one for all and all for one.
Hugs.
Thanks to Luís Marcos and his friends…
