Non-standard Saab interiors

November 14th, 2008 · 15 Comments

Some people do horrible things when they customise their interiors. No Andy, I’m not looking at you. I’m generalising here, but the biggest offenders tend to be young, male, and owners of Japanese Gone-in-60-second types.

Example 1 - a Honda CRX

Though we European-favouring-types shouldn’t be smug. Example 2 - an Alfa 33:

Whilst doing my occasional surf around the used car sites here in Australia, I came across this Saab 900 Convertible for sale. Like the cars above, it has a customised interior, though this is one that I really like:

It reminds me of the parchment interior you get in modern Saabs, and there’s just something about the red & cream combination that’s quite classical, especially on a convertible. Though the photos are lo-res, this one looks like a job that’s at least pretty well done. You’d need to get up close and personal to make a proper judgement, but it looks good from here.

I’m almost talking myself into this car, though I think the red might be a bit loud for a quiet guy like me, and the mileage might be a bit high. The fact that it’s an auto is neither here nor there.

I’m in the mood for a vert and this one looks quite tasty.

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Back to the general question - non-standard interiors. Do you like them? Do you do them?

I can certainly understand the need for some customisation as it lends a touch of personality and in some cases, modern interiors can be a little stark.

Bu I also know there’s plenty of people out there who insist on keeping things bog standard. Given the number of interior mods that can go wrong, this is usually a good philosophy.

So, standard or modified? Have your say.

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Tags: Saabology

15 responses so far ↓

1 Jeff // Nov 14, 2008 at 5:05 pm

I love them if they’re tastefully done.

Of course, most of the “custom” interiors I’ve seen consist of a single Pep Boys seat cover and a year’s worth of cigarette ash coating every surface.
2 Arnold // Nov 14, 2008 at 6:50 pm

It is possible for custom interiors to be successful of course, but they will likely be expensive and have someone with “taste” involved. Companies spend a lot of money using professional designers who are more likely to understand good taste. Besides, imagine owning a classic, only to be told the interior is not original. Standard for me thanks.
3 Golfhunter // Nov 14, 2008 at 7:12 pm

I personnaly like this interior seen on Flickr , photographed by Erik Nigren in a C70 Volvo .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eriknygren/3000712354/sizes/o/in/set-72157608427517663/
4 Tino // Nov 14, 2008 at 8:33 pm

hi,

so, I´m working on my saab´s custom interier. I had light brown interier with seats in really bad leather. I made new seats and I try tone all interier to duo colors. I´ve a lot of work with it. There is some example: http://saab.bucek.org/img/g_cv_08_10_1/05.jpg.

There are a lot of custom work picture on this site….
5 Eduard // Nov 14, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Good question…

For me the customization should be done with respect of the OEM design and lines, no stridencies.

For example Hirsch interior for the new 9-3, I love it. Well….

here you could have as an example the interior of the 900 I bought the last year, with saabstuff interior. I always loved the 9-5 Aero MY2005 two tone interior black/beige, and i decided to apply it in my 900. The car looks amazing, with the embroidery like the 9-3 anniversario MY2002.

http://www.saabphotos.com/gallery/Edusaab-Saabs

cheers
6 detroitsaab93 // Nov 14, 2008 at 11:08 pm

I like them but only if they are done right and not garish. I like my modifications to look like they belong. Subtle is the key for me.
7 eggsngrits // Nov 14, 2008 at 11:25 pm

Swade: I like that one.

Jeff (not Golf): LOL! For those of us who like cigarette ash, is that so wrong?

Jeff (Golfhunter): Erik Nigren is absolutely a master. Yes!

Eduard: I like that Saab. If I had a green one, I’d do something similar — not with the wheels, though.

Detroit: My words exactly.
8 Andy Rupert // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:44 am

I like custom interiors just as long as they come in plaid.

The second picture made me jump. I wasn’t expecting such an bright color combination. As to the “parchment” interior in that convertible, I’m not sure. It does look nice. But can you imagine trying to keep it clean? Yikes!

When I still had the XJS, I inquired about replacing the webbing and leather skin on the driver’s seat. Just to get the webbing done was $400 and it would have been double that or more to get the leather professionally replaced. Is it worth it? That’s the question.
9 eggsngrits // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:47 am

Andy: The only thing that makes sense for interior resto is DIY. I’ll spend another winter rehabing the C900 seats this year. I’m thinking of new leather, which will cost a ton, but I’ll be much happier!
10 Eduard // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:53 am

I always loved the Aero wheels, with that two tone, its a little too dark compared to the OEM ones, but I think they look amazing.

The last owner chromed the wheels and you can’t imagine how badly were the wheels(peeling) and the job should be done to remove the chrome.

cheers
11 IronJoe // Nov 15, 2008 at 2:14 am

Custom interiors are tough - it can get out of hand in a heartbeat. I’ve treaded lightly with my convertible - Saab sport & rallye leather steering wheel, saab leather shift knob & boot, etc.

But I recently purchased a set of Corbeau black & grey microsuede sport seats, and will be working on customizing the interior more. New black carpet, grey door panels will be dyed black, door inserts in grey microsuede, etc.

Not sure what to do about the back seats - either re-upholster to match the fronts, or delete the rear seats entirely and carpet over. Tough to choose!
12 Tompa // Nov 15, 2008 at 2:20 am

When it comes to leather upholstery in your car.. Do NOT buy a new one from our Saab dealer unless you consider you car as a show car or if you have unlimited funds. Instead turn to your saddler for a custom fit upholstery. It´s way cheaper than your dealer or a tuning company. And if you want it real cheap (but totaly ok) then turn to a saddlers school. They love a challenge. I asked a local saddlers school where I live to have my, at the time, Opel Astras steering wheel fitted with leather, custom thumbgrips etc.. Price? Ca 20 dollars including material……!!!
Mechanics? Atleast in Sweden any shop school will fix your car for the price of the material + help with coffee money. If they have time to spare and the same goes for you that is.

As for tuning.. Had my own company. Dissolved it because I hate all these mostly pimped out Hondas, Toyotas, Volvos and BMW´s.. Why have a company like that at all feeling like that for the business? To make a couple of bucks I guess.

Tompa
13 tksaab // Nov 15, 2008 at 2:28 am

Customized cars are fine, but the line between tastefully done and “RICE” is very fine and easy to cross. I’ve modded a few cars in the past and it’s an addictive hobby. It takes a lot of time and effort…and sometimes you get so hung up in how you’re going to do your next install, you forget to take a step back and see if your car is taking a turn for the worse.

Also….tasteful, subtle mods are fine, but please don’t neglect your weekly detailing chores! A well detailed vehicle is a foolproof way to make your car look better…..with or without tasteful mods.
14 PGAero // Nov 15, 2008 at 4:01 am

Good call tksaab. All too often I see cars with loads of money installed in the form of body kits, interior extras, wheels, suspension, etc… but they look like they never get a good scrubbing. I just don’t get it.

For me, less is more when it comes to aesthetic changes.

~P
‘93 9000 Aero bone-stock except the ‘98 CSE wheels. (The original two-tone wheels where painted over by the original owner… dang. Those wheels are still waiting to be refinished though… if I ever get the time.)
15 Golfhunter // Nov 18, 2008 at 12:21 am

Another amazing Saab 900 interior quite modified

http://www.garaget.org/?car=6679&image=87148