C900 T16 rescue (ep 42): The end 😩

Hey, well, nearly a year into this SAAB 900 Turbo project and I've decided to bring this to an end and allow somebody else the enjoyment of seeing it back to its former glory.
The video will reveal all, but time and money are all counting against me...
Ultimately I was all set to sell the UR S6 purely to fund this C900 restoration, but the thought of ploughing nearly (actually?) every penny from that sale into the C900 - which I could easily imagine doing by the end of the project - just doesn't make sense to me, not when I also have the HF Turbo too which demands a little upkeep: I've already parted with my lovely 400bhp 9000 Aero partly to fund this one, and I just can't move another fantastic car on for the same reason. To be frank, owning the S6 has thrown me an unexpected curve-ball: I see it as a '4WD 9000 Aero': both of the same vintage, the S6 is an incredibly versatile daily modern classic in ways the C900 never will be: bank-vault build quality, Quattro security, bullet proof mechanics (SAAB gearboxes have never been a strong point), hugely tuneable, the 5 pot sounds amazing, it's quiet, comfortable, very safe... I just can't 'swap' it for a welded C900 that has unkown future engine and gearbox rebuilds sat around the corner once I begin to put some miles on it...
It's been great - but part of the challenge of a project is also knowing when it makes sense to call it a day... 👍
Thank you all so much for your viewing time and your kind, supportive comments :-)

[@kayerickatson4814]

I’m sorry to learn about you having to let the 900 go, she’s a lovely car. I’ve been following from Canada. As you say, you have the Lancia, so you can enjoy this one a bit more. Hopefully someone in the UK will take the 900 on.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Hello mate, thank you for your kind words and for following the chanel! Yes, I really d hope that a UK buyer takes her. 🙏 I have a couple of people interested, so watch this space I guess!

[@klaas-janmodder9025]

sorry to hear this Martyn, hoop this all ends well, you dit a great job , jou inspired me , sumtimes thiese steps are nessesery , good luck, from texel holland

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you, I appreciate that, and am glad to hear you were inspired! Happy Christmas

[@gregj7916]

I think you should get a rust free example from here in Australia….my restoration is into it’s third year….

[@Brumiguy]

I've enjoyed following along and sad to hear it's coming to an end. I know this doesn't solve all the reasons you have outlined but ever thought of crowdfunding the project. A few pounds from a lot of saab enthusiast could go a long way. Best of luck whatever happens.

[@rosskramer5296]

Sorry to hear about your decision to move on from the Saab, especially since I just found your channel and have been enjoying this journey (from the USA)! But I understand, and have been through this myself at least a couple of times. It's a bit of an illness we have - wanting to save all the cars, then realizing the money train must stop somewhere. But your Lancia sure is sweet! I had to ditch a Saab 9000 project in favor of keeping my Saab 9-5 daily plus an Alfa Spider, so in a way your situation is pretty similar to mine. I do hope the right buyer comes along and saves your labor of love. Maybe they will finish what you started and give you a ride in it some day!

[@onepairofhands]

bad luck fella, your reasons are sound for moving it on, and i am sure the car will find a good home

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you mate. It's all good, I'm beginning to terms with my decision, as you as it is...

[@aussiegreg1]

Sorry to hear this Martyn! I’ve followed the journey from Australia whilst I restore my own 900. (No rust here though thankfully 😀). All the best and hope you get a buyer

[@KentnDebi]

I didn't realise it was so long into the project Martyn 😳 I'll watch this properly when I get home tonight 👍

[@ianrayner8367]

Hi martin , really have enjoyed your videos on this car , understand your decision totally, i lovethe colour , love the interior, i would love to take it on and trybto finish it

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Hi, thanks for your kind words. If you really are keen, that would be incredible. Email me should you wish to chat further [e-mail]

[@donnygow7060]

If you're going to miss one green Saab, there's always another green Saab in the shape of 'Widget' that could brighten your mood :)

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Ha ha, hello mate. Maybe one day, maybe... Drop me a WhatsApp msg to keep in touch as I've lost most of my contacts 👍

[@charlesh5613]

I’ve really enjoyed following your journey with this car and it’s become one of my favourite 900s! It sounds like you deserve this car but I understand your reasons.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you mate, I've enjoyed it too but too many factors counting against me to continue it. I'd love to have a garage and some money to put it away and do a longer term restoration, but on an uncovered driveway just isnt possible 😢

[@BWTECH0521]

this was a great series while it lasted, thanks for many entertaining episodes! Looking forward to what's next :)

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Ah, thank you mate: I feel they've been pretty dull so I appreciate that 😂. I'll upload some Lancia content as I'd like to give that a little more TLC: there's always another little car something of mine rattling around in my head so somewhere 😂

[@peterwarner8541]

Understandable. It takes a huge amount of time, effort and money to restore a car. My defender took me about twenty years! And even then it’s still trying to destroy itself every day since. I’m about 18 months into a Range Rover and making much quicker progress this time!

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Ha ha, your poor Landy 😂

[@malcolmfox5463]

Sorry mate, I really enjoyed your posts, perhaps you could restore one in the future.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you! Yes, if I had a garage and a guaranteed chunk of time, I'd tuck it away for a while as she will eventually be a beaut :-/

[@JacobIpsen]

To bad , i feel for you ! I love following your project along ! Thanks i had a C900 20 yeras ago, and where playing aound with the idea of tracking down an 900 SPG/Areo

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you, I appreciate that

[@mrneilnic]

I’m lost for words 😢 really sad your not continuing with this, as a guy in the same situation restoring a 900 your videos gave me inspiration to finally finish my one. Please take time and think it over on the Xmas break you might decide differently after. I’ll email u at some point too I’m after a certain part you still might have yet. Cheers

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you, I appreciate that and I'm so glad that it's helped you with yours: keep the faith! . Mine is already a great car and will be an awesome one once finished, but I can see it financially spiralling outside of my set parameters, largely as I'm limited with what I can do with it on the drive. I just know that I'll look back on the videos in the future as see it as the one that got away. As you say, a new year might give me a new perspective, but unless that is also accompanied with a good £8k from a mystery benefactor, I very sadly can't see anything much changing...

[@martyntaylor5709]

Gutted for you. But if you're no longer feeling it,it's the right decision. I finally got my 900 back on the road after 4 years. Its been a battle. But still could easily plough £££ and hours into it. Neither of which I have.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thanks Martyn: that's exactly it, where do you stop? My pockets and time are only so deep... Really glad to hear yours is now ins good place though, well done!!

[@austinvitoux]

In the end, glad you could save a Beryl C900. Like you said, not many produced and even fewer around today

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Yes, indeed! I do feel I've saved her: enough work done (largely welding) to take it from a scrapper to within reach of being back on the road. It'll be incredible once completed 😎

[@austinvitoux]

​@@martynsboostedswedesI feel welding is more than half the battle. It took months to weld mine up to a point to start body work. Now I'm knee deep in body work on mine, and I can't wait till it's over. I've found that I'm not the best when it comes to body filler. 😅

[@kemosaabe]

I’m so sorry Martyn. I’ve followed your journey and learnt heaps from you. Thank you. What car is next for you?

[@saab900turbo9]

I decided too keep and fix up my 900 T16 when i realized how rare these are. I will probably never be able to own another then the one i have, let alone drive one. It was rusted BAD if you watch my videos you will see how bad it really was. Some saab people even said thats one of the worst they have seen. I have low experience but learning. My brother whom is a mechanic has helped me a bit but much you can do yourself in the garage, if you have a garage. I welded the whole front end on my car. I had never welded before and have done lots of other repairs too. But a garage is a must, then you can work on the car at your own pace, and the car will be exactly as you left it even if years have passed. It will probably be easy to get a serious buyer because these are really rare cars today.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

All wise words, well done for learning those skills as it makes a hell of a difference if you can do it yourself and not rely on (and be paying!) other people. Without having a garage it's really really difficult now that the weather is turning... All the best to you 👍

[@saab900turbo9]

@@martynsboostedswedes My saab i had as it was a gift from my brother when i took my licence. For some reason i just never could part with it. It sat in a garage i payed for for about 10 years and another 3 years outside under a pine tree when i got a house. Then i built a garage and then i could do some real work on it. My plan was to get it road worthy and it passed all test with flying colors in my country but i just kept going, as my friend said to me: now you have done so much to this car you can never part with it. Well see where it ends. Good luck with the other cars you have!

[@martynsboostedswedes]

@@saab900turbo9 that's a lovely heart-warming story. Well done! 😊

[@MJPyt111]

Sorry man, put in away until you have the readies? You gotta save it!

[@martynsboostedswedes]

I have considered this too, but nowhere to put it as the Lancia is garaged. If it doesn't sell for a sensible price then I'll keep hold of it, but I feel it just needs to be completed by some other lucky chappie now

[@MJPyt111]

@martynsboostedswedes if I didnt have my own t16s that needs love I would be all over this!!

[@pauldavidson2443]

Sad but understandable

[@pawpawbandit3871]

nah, just keep it and work on it as you can I think, and get a new headliner soon so you actually want to keep the car.

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you for the encouragement, but I barely even notice the headliner: that was always going to be the final job for it...

[@pawpawbandit3871]

@@martynsboostedswedes I don't watch your channel much. I thought "yeah, sell it" based on the headliner. Then I saw the steering wheel/ dash, and heard the engine start, and I said "or you could keep it". Anyway, this is a tough subject for me, as my saab900 addiction has been a distraction / debilitating to the rest of my life. But on the other hand, maybe the rest of my life wasn't perfect before I went bat-shit crazy wanting to rebuild cars and stuff. And if you sell it, surely you should let me trade you steering wheels first.

[@KentnDebi]

Watched the whole thing now Martyn...I'm gutted for you fella 😪 Did you sell the Audi too, that's two great car's this one has cost you on it's way to completion. Enjoy the little Delta, as you say front wheel drive, similar power, similar drive but...not the same sound and not a SAAB You normally make sound decisions where cars are concerned...there is no reason to think this will be any different 👍 Enjoy a family Christmas and start the new year afresh

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Thank you mate. Funny story with the Ur S6: it was sold, deposit paid, train ticket purchased..and then the buyer pulled out at the last minute, so it's still with me... And if I can I'll keep hold of it as it's just a phenomenal (and I even had buyers regret on the morning of the sale) 😂.

[@KentnDebi]

@@martynsboostedswedes That car is an amazing tool, so look on the bright side...you've not sold it to finance a car that you've lost interest in 👍👍👍 Look at it this way...its NOT The Godfather 😉

[@martynsboostedswedes]

@@KentnDebi ha ha, indeed! I think the URS6 not selling was an unexpected shift in perspective for me tbh: the C900 would have cost me an S6 plus my 9000 Aero, and that doesn't add up for me (or anyone else I'm sure!)

[@KentnDebi]

@@martynsboostedswedes Nope, 'cos that 9k was a glorious machine and the 900s were never as good...now a 99 2 door 🤔🤔🤔🤔 and you know I loved my T16s but I'd have swapped that for a 99T in a heartbeat...and with a 16v conversion OH MY WORD 🤤🤤🤤

[@user-nk3xz3bp7h]

Gutted for you, but if it feels right it is right

[@martynsboostedswedes]

Exactly this. Thank you 👍

[@ursusskandia]

...after all the money you have already invested...

[@martynsboostedswedes]

...move it on before I invest anymore: agreed! 😂😉

[@MJPyt111]

Where can I contact you on? About parts etc

[@martynsboostedswedes]

[e-mail]