Some of our old motors

[llovegrace]

Hi Chaps, following on from our chats in the other section (Top listing on the Home menu) and by popular request a small bit about my younger days...

It was a dark and stormy night...and I fell in love with Saab's of the day, that being two stroke models. Eventually the engines became V4's and after a long time in dealing (quite literately) with the Saab 96 two stroke I decided to 'get into V4 powered models. During this time I had a few friends that had come up through the strokers to the V4 cars. We decided to buy a standard car and convert it up to a Gp2 Rally model. My then current car was an old 1967 Grey V4 (KKJ167E) which I used to rally but it was only the stubbon stains that was holding it together . I swapped my red 'Bullnose 96' (BPP245B) for this V4 from a mate Guy Goodall who went on the live in Sweden (Home of the Saabs).

The yellow Saab (XLP163G) was purchased from Leighton Buzzard (not sure of the spelling as my brain went numb going there) a rather non-descript place I remember. The motor was a non-runner and with a friend towed it back to my workshop in Chislehurst Kent. We cut and shunted bits and pieces here there and everywhere. The engine was re-worked with expensive goodies from the then Saab Sport and Rally catalogue. Rear welded and FIA approved roll bar installed. Straight through exhaust, fire protection...the works.

We mainly entered 'Club' events and we boasted the affiliation badge (in sticker form) of the 'Borough 18 Motor Club'. I had local garage sponsers on the Grey Saab and this was transfered to XLP.

  

   

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War-torn bruised and battered...XLP coming to the end of her rallying days ...this was after an Army assault course rally in 7-mile lane W.Kingsdown Kent. Great rally but that's another story...

I've got other photo's but sadly most have decomposed as they are taken off from a video film.

I have now owned 28 different Saab's and way back in the day I had a Saab dealer service and parts garage in Chislehurst. Good days. I continue to be a Saab owner and I've gone back

to my roots by purchasing John-saabs (a member on this site) 2-stroke named Camilla.

[robleaver]

That looks exciting LG and I wouldn't mind having a go at that myself. At the time, I was never really into rallying but I did have a passing interest in F1 and Formula Fords but I never took part (Too chicken I suppose and the fact that I was always broke ). Can you remember how much roughly it cost to convert the car? I know that I spent over £8,000 on the Singer Vogue.

Looking at your great pictures, what are the stickers on the grey car? The one on the bonnet is eluding my last brain cell.

[scottyboy]

Woowza! Just took a deck at Robs auld bonnie lass and aye, she is or was in dire straits of a major rework ah ken.I Likes very much your saab exploits 11ovegrace and would like to hear more aboot those days coz I find it fascinating (oops! just looked up how to spell word coz I cant spell for toffees). Like Rob said, can yoous remember what the stickers are on yon gray mote mote?

[llovegrace]

Hi Chaps .... The sticker on the bonnet is for Shell petrol (Large big shell shape). The triangular on the bonnet and rear quarter is for Koni shocks. The small red one in the bonnet crease is Firestone (Tyres). The long ones under the door 7 and lower edge is Goodyear (obviously another tyre company). Afraid that I can't remember the others but if I can find other pics of the car.... I will check.
Rob, My memory is a bit faded (like the pictures) from those days but I think it cost over £16,000 and don't forget.... it was around 1971/2.
Scottyboy, Not a great deal more to tell.....I started a Saab company servicing early saabs. Had spare parts dept and sold quite a few cars....kind of 'satelite dealership) but of course, not a Main Agent. I had a couple of mechanics/friends and some other peeps but in the end Saab were scarce in them there days and I didn't make enough dosh quick enough so wound it up and got involved with South Eastern Gas ...Long story and maybe for another day. I feel very lucky in my working past and I have done very well in various endeavours and dealings. I am well retired now but as a hobby I have gone full circle and have another Bullnose 2-stroke Saab and a garage full of spares ...I'm happy!  rev that engine.....oh, the smell of 2stroke...Heaven! Just hope St Peter likes a bit of smoke. 

[llovegrace]

Sorry...can't read the rear stickers...too badly decayed-

  

but a few more of the yellow V4 (XLP)

 

[robleaver]

Wish I had got into rallying because I would love to do up and old type car and maybe, just maybe do it with my son instead of him laying on his arse all day thinking of taking a splif for a walk. It could have been quality time but the difference in ages I suppose is too great.

[llovegrace]

Did he help with the Vogue Rob? and what is the age difference between you Chaps?  I haven't got any kids ..... But, I've got me, myself & I ...so that's three of us . Happy Easter to all.

[robleaver]

He was'nt really interested in cars at an early age and he still insn't in fact he shows no interest in anything except his gormless mates and their weed habit (and I'm not talking Alan Titchmarch here). There is about 30 something years between us and boy, is he odd! When I took on the Singer, I had the help of a good mate who I've known since school days. He's got an e-type and has the skill and intelligence to repair and keep it roadworthy to which sadly, I have not. I'm good at polishing though although it has been said in the past, at my old car ''You can't polish a turd''. Not said now since her restoration and respray.

From this -

To this -    and as SB might say, I think with her new respray,  she looks quite bonnie

    

[scottyboy]

Sorry peeps but I've been over on the autoshite.com site for a bit. More new blogs over there but Im back now.

Yoous posted those photos before Rob but I have noticed that the earlier pic shows the car with a door mirror and the second photo with a wing mirror so whats that aboot?

I must say that the shape of yer mote mote is winning me over and for an estate and aye I agree with yoous, Bonnie indeed!

[llovegrace]

Hi SB, welcome back old chap and well spotted about the mirrors...wonder why I didn't notice that because I only like mirrors sited on the doors...it's a Saab thing.
Come on Rob...I gotta know now....I won't sleep at night unless I do     sad old git in-I...he..he

[robleaver]

Yea well spotted. As part of the resto, The old girl needed loads of work on the underneath (welding etc). I found a man who was breaking a vogue saloon up Watford way and if you look at the top picture taken in the breakers yard, mine had one door mirror on the drivers side but a wing mirror (broken) on the passenger side. The original wing was stuffed with poorly applied filler and was beyond repair, for me that is. The drivers door was also naf so I purchased the Watford car's wing and door. The Watford saloon wing already had a mirror fitted to it and a Rootes badge which is very rare to find. When the car was made I believe that side wing mirrors  were fitted  and it was changed on later 65-66 Vogues to the door. The Watford old boy even sold me some spot and fogs which were supposed to be original spare part options from Rootes infact the car even had the wireing for them already incorporated into the loom. All I needed was a relay and switch which Halfords obliged.  I remember that trip to Watford` as I spent a bloody fortune on the car that day, maybe that's why the wife left me so's not all bad - a?

Oh and yea! sorry for the duplicated pics. They were already downloadedto the host site and I must be getting lazy like my boy (did I say boy). I'm not really one for taking photographs but I'll have a go if I remember .

[robleaver]

Dug out some old pics. This was shortly after the cars resto and before I had time to fit the lights. My mate told me of a show in Swavesey Cambridge. We got there early and low and behold another two Vogues turned up. What is the chance of that? Never seen another one at all the shows I've been to and what is spooky is that they were all the same colour (or very near) I seem to recall.

Mine is  over to the right. I first fitted an RAC badge and some other badges but I was never happy with them so I decided to remove them and fit the fog& spot in the same place.

[robleaver]

Cor, I'm in the mood now so here is another one of her dash layout. I think that it was 11ovegrace on another post that said he liked the walnut facia and the ribbon speedo, well I've gotta agree although I'm biased that she looks kinda cute.

[scottyboy]

Aye Robbi, yeez got a great mote mote there. Its become yoous we bairn. Luv the wood, pure class indeed mon! Wow tho what a big steering wheel, bet its easy to get the horn in that if yoous know what I mean.

[llovegrace]

I assume SB that you think Rob should have a stiff drink . I do love that walnut dashboard Rob... infact I feel quite envious, she is lovely...well done that man.