SAAB Owners Convention 2008

[Geoff]

It turns out I was one of the last people to leave the convention (its usually dead by 11:00 Sunday morning). I was there seeing everyone off and saw that John Webber (orange 99 w/SPG kit and 16vT) had his hood up. He had a bad air mass meter and was having a hard time getting the car to run (lots of black smoke). I volunteered to go pick up a used AMM for his car from my parent's house which was about 12 miles away. I ended up bringing two of them and put one into the car and it wouldn't start. It turns out the wire to the fuel pump from the relay lost power somewhere in the engine bay ('86 900T harness). His mechanic shortened the wire and got around the power loss. Then with the pump running it still wouldn't start, it turns out that it had run out of gas and they had to get a little 1 gallon "safety" can which proved very difficult to get fuel out of because of the layout of the fuel filler in the car. It got running, although it was still puffing black smoke and they took off to PA with 2 of my dad's AMMs. I think they left around 4:00 in the afternoon.

[Jordan]

Post up some pics when you get a chance. I saw a couple from Thor's site but I haven't seen many others.

[Geoff]

I'll have to see if I can find an SD card reader at work. My computer at home is dead.

[Geoff]

From Thor's website (http://www.webmiscellany.net/saab/soc08/)

V4 rally car (my car next to it!)


'78 95


John Williams' pearl white C900 Airflow (drool)


Jack Lawrence's '80 900 GLi with 30K miles (C900 version of my '80 99)


4 barrel tater cannon with T7 DI


The Boucher's early turbos

[Jordan]

I like Jack's trailer set up. Do you think he built that or can you buy those?

[Geoff]

I didn't think to look at it but it could be either or. Knowing that Jack built his own camper out of car to tow his race car I would guess he built that trailer. I like small lightweight trailers but I hear that single axles aren't so fun to tow cars with. That may just be the whole "I need a dually 454 to tow my VW Bug with" mentality...

[DeLorean]

That may just be the whole "I need a dually 454 to tow my VW Bug with" mentality...

seems pretty common. Some people are shocked that I have no problem towing a car with a tow-bar that weighs as much as the car doing the towing... really, there is no problem with it you just have to drive like you are towing something.

[Geoff]

I took a bunch of photos of people towing heavy loads in Sweden with little cars just so I can show people here. Of course they don't have many hills there. I keep thinking about getting an Astro/Safari minivan for towing but the Astro people tell me I have too big of a load because of the size of the trailer (18' enclosed car trailer) - too much wind resistance.

[Saablym]

In response to Geoff's comment about my orange 99T Aero...I made it thanks to you! As you described the one incident you observed, that's exactly how the rest of the trip went! 3 more break downs for minor problems and we arrived home safely. Thank you very much and your Dad too! I will be sending the AMM's back to him after this week end. Thanks again! John W.

[Geoff]

Good to know you made it home OK!
Were the other break downs all electrical-related?