Help with classic 900 convertible

[JoshSpod]

Hi -

After a couple of years of pining for the Ruby that we'd sold (we went off to Australia for a year so there was good reason!!), last week, I accidentally bought a classic 900 convertible. I was slightly concerned how my wife would react, but after she took it for an evening drive with the top down and the sun setting, her first words as she came through the door were "you are never to sell this car"...

Anyway, I could do with some advice:

The hood is looking a bit tired and I wondered what the best thing to do was. It is weather proof so I don't really want to replace it. Is there something that you can do to make it more like new? Also, when the time comes, is there a good place to get the hood replaced (probably not going to try it myself!)

Similarly, the rubber spoiler/kit around the base of the windows is also looking old. Is there a good substance that will make it look newer?

I would like to get hold of a new gear knob as this one is well worn - any suggestions?

Lastly, and I suspect that this is something I will need to get fixed, there is a small gap between the top of the passanger window and the roof. It is only very small, but it is has let in a little bit of rain. If anyone has any tips to try before we take it to a garage then please let me know.

So nice to be a c900 owner again... I really missed waving to other owners!!

Thanks,
Josh

[cdaly]

Originally Posted by JoshSpod

I accidentally bought a classic 900 convertible

Happy new car! Now that the winter is coming on, you'll want to get a wind deflector: http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product...roducts_id=674 I use one to drive top-down right into November {when the hard top 'winter car' takes over...}.

The hood is looking a bit tired and I wondered what the best thing to do was. It is weather proof so I don't really want to replace it. Is there something that you can do to make it more like new? Also, when the time comes, is there a good place to get the hood replaced (probably not going to try it myself!)

There is some mention of a renovator kit which consists of a dye and a waterproofer. There's a writeup in the Tech Help section: http://www.saabcentral.com/techhelp/900_body.php You'll find lots of convertible information on the townsend site: http://townsendimports.com/Web/body_...r_tech_doc.htm

I replaced mine myself and there's a write up here: http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=45954 I got the top from http://autohoods.co.uk who will recommend a fitter in your area.

the rubber spoiler/kit around the base of the windows is also looking old. Is there a good substance that will make it look newer?

I used Autoglym "Bumper Care" on the spoiler which brought it back a treat...

there is a small gap between the top of the passanger window and the roof.

Now, this could either be maladjustment {is the window sitting out?} or it could be worn teeth on the window regulator {is the window too low?}. For the first, there's a window adjustment instruction set on the townsend site as detailed above. For a worn regulator, you can either replace the regulator {which is, I think, the same as any 2-3 door C900} or get a quadrant repair kit from parts for saabs {among others} http://www.partsforsaabs.com

Anyway, enjoy, enjoy and, listen to your wife...

[JoshSpod]

Hey, thanks!!! There was loads of useful info and links... Very impressed that you replaced your own hood. I don't think I would make a good enough job. I think I will buy some of that revivor to see if I can't get through the winter without having to replace it!

Thanks for the tip about the wind deflector. Does it mean that no-one can sit in the rear seats?

My wife is stealing the car from me tomorrow for the day... thought this might happen in the end

[cdaly]

I don't think the deflector stops them sitting in the rear but it's very windy back there in any case. If you have kids, be prepared for protests at the cold! Practically speaking, with anyone in the rear, it needs to be warm (hot) enough before the top can go down.

thought this might happen in the end

In the beginning more like! In any case, you can always accidentally buy another one...

[Matthew]

You'll have to bring your new acquisition to the Kodak meet
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55852