Every once in awhile a project comes along that’s just too wild to ignore. No matter what your feelings are towards the passing of Saab, there’s something undeniably special about any “prototype” vehicle remerging in the public eye. Enter, the 900 Turbo SPG; an enthusiast variant of Saab’s classic coupe. Limited in production, adored by many, and surely worthy of preserving.
What started as a standard detailing & reconditioning treatment quickly spiraled into a passion project that harked back to Saab’s heritage in aeronautics. Soon enough, a plan was hatched combining a matte metallic grey vinyl wrap with a handful of custom printed graphic elements to give this particular 900 Turbo SPG a full-throttle jet inspired makeover.
What started as a standard detailing & reconditioning treatment quickly spiraled into a passion project that harked back to Saab’s heritage in aeronautics. Soon enough, a plan was hatched combining a matte metallic grey vinyl wrap with a handful of custom printed graphic elements to give this particular 900 Turbo SPG a full-throttle jet inspired makeover.
Once the initial inspection was completed, Ben & Mike set to work treating the Saab Turbo to a thorough 24-step exterior hand wash. After the bath, it was time for a complete paint decontamination to prep all the surfaces for proper vinyl adhesion.
Once the initial inspection was completed, Ben & Mike set to work treating the Saab Turbo to a thorough 24-step exterior hand wash. After the bath, it was time for a complete paint decontamination to prep all the surfaces for proper vinyl adhesion.
With the paint cleansed and ready, John began disassembling the exterior components & dismantling the car for the full vinyl wrap installation. It’s a lot of work, but going the extra mile to strip a vehicle down is essential for a proper seamless wrap install.
With the paint cleansed and ready, John began disassembling the exterior components & dismantling the car for the full vinyl wrap installation. It’s a lot of work, but going the extra mile to strip a vehicle down is essential for a proper seamless wrap install.
Before laying down the 3M matte metallic grey, we carefully hand-applied a few hundred faux rivets along the mid-body creases & around the Saab’s fender flares. They’re not extremely noticeable at a glance, but the end result is just one of the many tiny details that set the Turbo’s wrap apart.
Before laying down the 3M matte metallic grey, we carefully hand-applied a few hundred faux rivets along the mid-body creases & around the Saab’s fender flares. They’re not extremely noticeable at a glance, but the end result is just one of the many tiny details that set the Turbo’s wrap apart.
With heat guns on blast & squeegees in hand, the 900’s full vinyl wrap quickly started to take shape in front of our eyes.
With heat guns on blast & squeegees in hand, the 900’s full vinyl wrap quickly started to take shape in front of our eyes.
To bring a little color into the mix, the owner asked that the Saab’s front bumper receive a Magnus-esque wrap treatment using bright yellow vinyl. The look is definitely loud, but we always aim to please with results that are tailored to meet a client’s requests.
To bring a little color into the mix, the owner asked that the Saab’s front bumper receive a Magnus-esque vinyl treatment using a bright satin yellow. The look is definitely loud, but we always aim to please with results that are tailored to meet a client’s requests.
As the matte metallic grey wrap began to come together, Mike got to work carefully tracing the faux rivets to give them more depth & definition underneath the film. It was quite a tedious process, but using a steady hand and careful execution, the riveted sections emerged with relative ease.
As the matte metallic grey wrap began to come together, Mike got to work carefully tracing the faux rivets to give them more depth & definition underneath the film. It was quite a tedious process, but using a steady hand and careful execution, the riveted sections emerged with relative ease.
For extra visual attitude, the client also specified that the Saab be tinted out with a matching yellow window film to compliment the bumper & various accent pieces. Colored window films are without a doubt a unique & unexpected choice for any car, but it felt right at home with the rest of the Saab’s eye catching aesthetic.
For extra visual attitude, the client also specified that the Saab be tinted out with a matching yellow window film to compliment the bumper & various accent pieces. Colored window films are without a doubt a unique & unexpected choice for any car, but it felt right at home with the rest of the Saab’s eye catching aesthetic.
No doubt, the best way to take in the full extent of the Saab 900’s new vinyl wrap is in the photo studio. With so many different elements coming together on one project car, the cyclorama offers the perfect space to cut out the background noise & take in the various visual tweaks we made.
No doubt, the best way to take in the full extent of the Saab 900’s new vinyl wrap is in the photo studio. With so many different elements coming together on one project car, the cyclorama offers the perfect space to cut out the background noise & take in the various visual tweaks we made.
Beyond the bright yellow bumper, we added a big “Flying V” to the hood that’s reminiscent of the Saab Viggen’s original logo. In order to pull some color up to the freshly installed tint, the mirrors have also been wrapped with matching yellow vinyl.
Beyond the bright yellow bumper, we added a big “Flying V” to the hood that’s reminiscent of the Saab Viggen’s original logo. In order to pull some color up to the freshly installed tint, the mirrors have also been wrapped with matching yellow vinyl.
Large, triangular “WARNING” stickers flank both of the front wheels, and the wheels themselves are adorned with a custom designed tire sticker that was created to the owner’s exact specifications. Floating just above the bumper, a thick yellow “+” sits right behind the headlamps for added effect.
Large, triangular “WARNING” stickers flank both of the front wheels, and the wheels themselves are adorned with a custom designed tire sticker that was created to the owner’s exact specifications. Floating just above the bumper, a thick yellow “+” sits right behind the headlamps for added effect.
With its louvered back windows, prototype bodykit & distinct rear deck spoiler, the profile of the Saab 900 Turbo SPG has all the right ingredients to make a retro recipe for very cool coupe. Mix in the new warning stickers for an ejector seat, jet fuel, and the owner’s call sign, and the SPG looks all the more ready for take-off. There’s even an SAF ghost & couple of “kill flags” on the windows!
With its louvered back windows, prototype bodykit & distinct rear deck spoiler, the profile of the Saab 900 Turbo SPG has all the right ingredients to make a retro recipe for very cool coupe. Mix in the new warning stickers for an ejector seat, jet fuel, and the owner’s call sign, and the SPG looks all the more ready for take-off. There’s even an SAF ghost & couple of “kill flags” on the windows!
Inside the Saab’s cabin, Blake made some minor but necessary tweaks to tie in the car’s new color scheme & ramp up the jet fighter feel. The area surrounding the ignition is now striped with yellow for a “danger zone” look which couples nicely with the “PULL TO EJECT” tag dangling from the key fob. To spice up the doors, new cards were made to surround the handles & upholstered in bright red cord for added contrast.
Inside the Saab’s cabin, Blake made some minor but necessary tweaks to tie in the car’s new color scheme & ramp up the jet fighter feel. The area surrounding the ignition is now striped with yellow vinyl for a “danger zone” look which ties in nicely with the “PULL TO EJECT” tag dangling from the key fob. To spice up the doors, new cards were made to surround the handles & upholstered in bright red cord for added contrast.
Even the hood vent & rear exhaust outlet have been treated to custom warning stickers to let any onlooker to keep their distance when the engine fires up. Almost everywhere you look on the Saab, there’s something new to spot hiding in plain sight!
Even the hood vent & rear exhaust outlet have been treated to custom warning stickers to let any onlooker to keep their distance when the engine fires up. Almost everywhere you look on the Saab, there’s something new to spot hiding in plain sight!
From the back, the 900 Turbo SPG exemplifies everything uniquely angular about late 80s & early 90s sport hatches. It’s a vehicle with sharp lines, pronounced flares, and that signature Swedish mystique that long-lost Saab was always known for both on & off the jetway.
From the back, the 900 Turbo SPG exemplifies everything uniquely angular about late 80s & early 90s sport hatches. It’s a vehicle with sharp lines, pronounced flares, and that signature Swedish mystique that long-lost Saab was always known for both on & off the jetway.
While it was quite a departure from some of our previous vinyl vehicle wrap projects, we definitely had fun pulling the Saab 900 Turbo’s jet-inspired makeover all together. It’s undoubtedly unique & a car that’s sure to turn heads whether it’s radioing in for a fly-by or just out for a scenic romp around the Pacific NorthWest. If you happen to spot it on the street, be sure to shoot us a photo of your favorite aspect of the install – after all, there are a few hidden gems & details in the wrap that we didn’t mention above.
While it was quite a departure from some of our previous vinyl vehicle wrap projects, we definitely had fun pulling the Saab 900 Turbo’s jet-inspired makeover all together. It’s undoubtedly unique & a car that’s sure to turn heads whether it’s radioing in for a fly-by or just out for a scenic romp around the Pacific NorthWest. If you happen to spot it on the street, be sure to shoot us a photo of your favorite aspect of the install – after all, there are a few hidden gems & details in the wrap that we didn’t mention above.
Interested in having a uniquely themed wrap worked up for your own personal vehicle or a full color change for car in your collection? Don’t hesitate to reach out with concepts & ideas – we’re always excited to take on a new vehicular challenge. Thanks for reading!