Three immaculate Saabs, one skilled restorer: Jörgen Nilsson’s trio heads to Bilweb Auctions

A Swedish restorer’s personal trio hits the open market

For years, Jörgen Nilsson of Vislanda has been one of Sweden’s most meticulous Saab restorers, tackling projects that many enthusiasts would shy away from. His work is the kind Saab collectors recognize immediately: complete tear-downs, sandblasted shells, professional resprays, and a mechanical approach that blends originality with usability. Now, three of Nilsson’s pride-and-joy Saabs — each a highlight of its respective niche — are crossing the block at Bilweb Auctions.

These cars aren’t barn finds with potential. They’re ready-to-drive, fully documented examples of what happens when a restorer treats a Saab as more than a survivor. Each represents a unique piece of Saab history:

• A 1974 Saab 95 V4 Kombi, the ultimate practical classic in blazing orange.
• A 1977 Saab 95 V4 Pickup, one of the most unusual Saab conversions seen in years.
• A 1969 Saab 96 V4, lightly tuned, laser-red, and fitted with desirable Monte Carlo touches.

Each carries a market estimate of $8,000 to $12,000 USD — a figure that reflects both the quality of restoration and the rarity of finding these models in such turn-key condition.

The 1974 Saab 95 Kombi: the ultimate survivor’s wagon

Few Saabs bridge practicality and character like the Saab 95 V4 Kombi, especially in late-production trim. Designed by Sixten Sason, the 95 was Saab’s answer to families needing more cargo space without sacrificing the brand’s distinctive design. By 1974, the model had adopted Ford’s 1.5-liter V4 engine with 68 horsepower, and this example, originally purchased by Nilsson in 2012, has been transformed into a show-stopper.

Nilsson’s process was exhaustive: the car was completely dismantled, stripped to bare metal, sandblasted, and repainted piece by piece. Any suspect components were either rebuilt or replaced outright. The result is a Kombi that feels as close to showroom-new as a 51-year-old Saab can get.

Key details include:

• Professional paintwork over a decade old, still presenting as fresh.
• Mint chrome trim, weatherstripping, and factory-style wheels with period-correct tires.
• Seven-passenger seating, with the rear-facing third-row bench intact and preserved.
• Tow hitch installed, adding versatility without detracting from originality.

This Kombi has been driven regularly to summer events and shows, proving it’s not just a static garage queen. For enthusiasts, it’s a chance to own a fully-sorted family hauler that doubles as a conversation piece — especially in that unmistakable orange.

The 1977 Saab 95 Pickup: a head-turning oddity

The Saab 95 Pickup is the wild card in Nilsson’s collection — and easily the rarest of the trio. Built from a Kombi donor, this bright yellow 1977 V4 pickup was a rough project when Nilsson acquired it via Bilweb in 2023. What emerged after his intervention is arguably one of the cleanest Saab utility conversions ever presented at auction.

Nilsson approached it with the same rigor as his other projects: the body was fully disassembled, sandblasted, and welded where necessary before receiving a meticulous multi-stage repaint. Mechanical systems were overhauled, and the end product is as reliable as it is unusual.

Standout elements include:

• Flawless exterior and chrome detailing, matching the Kombi’s show-quality finish.
• Custom cargo bed with a covered storage box, providing practicality for light hauling or display purposes.
• Factory-style alloys with new tires, ensuring roadworthiness and visual cohesion.
• Attention-grabbing presence — this isn’t just a collector’s toy, but a rolling advertisement for any business or a centerpiece for a Saab collection.

With only 76298 km recorded, this pickup is ready to drive and shock onlookers wherever it goes. Saab built no such vehicles officially, making this one of those once-in-a-blue-moon auction finds for enthusiasts who appreciate quirk as much as quality.

The 1969 Saab 96 V4: performance and purity

While the Kombi and Pickup lean into Saab’s practical side, Nilsson’s 1969 Saab 96 V4 scratches a different itch. Purchased in 2006 as his first project in this trio, the car has undergone a laser-red transformation that balances originality with tasteful performance upgrades.

The V4 engine was rebuilt with ported cylinder heads, a hotter camshaft, and a Weber 32-36 carburetor, delivering more urgency than the standard 65 horsepower. For purists, the original, freshly rebuilt engine comes with the car, allowing a return to stock if desired.

Additional highlights:

• Monte Carlo-style dashboard, with the original dash included in the sale.
• Professional paintwork completed over 15 years ago, still largely immaculate save for a minor blister and door-edge blemish.
• Chrome, wheels, and tires all in near-perfect condition.
• Five documented owners and a history of careful use, currently showing just 21,437 km on the odometer.

Among Saab 96s, this car straddles the line between collector-grade originality and spirited driving appeal. It’s a machine built to be driven — light, communicative, and undeniably Scandinavian in its charm.

Why these cars matter — and what buyers should watch

In a collector market where unrestored Saabs often command inflated prices simply for surviving, Nilsson’s trio represents a refreshing alternative: cars that need nothing, built by someone who knows how to make them last another 50 years.

For reference, recent Saab sales have demonstrated the market’s appetite for quality:

• This 1968 Saab 96 V4 DeLuxe sold for $12,500 on Bring a Trailer, despite needing ongoing cosmetic upkeep.
• A 1988 Saab 900 Turbo Hatchback fetched $31,000 in July 2025, thanks to originality and rarity rather than outright restoration.

Compared to those, Nilsson’s cars — each with a $8,000 to $12,000 estimate — offer better presentation and turn-key usability at a price point that feels realistic rather than speculative. For serious Saab enthusiasts, these auctions are less about chasing trends and more about acquiring usable, well-sorted classics with no immediate needs.

Auction details and final thoughts

All three Saabs are currently listed on Bilweb Auctions’ July 2025 sale, with individual listings for the 1974 Saab 95 Kombi, 1977 Saab 95 Pickup, and 1969 Saab 96 V4.

Each car is road-ready, tax-exempt, and inspection-exempt under Swedish regulations, making them hassle-free additions for European collectors. For overseas buyers, their condition should simplify export and registration processes.

Nilsson’s reputation for precision and his willingness to part with all three cars simultaneously make this auction an event Saab enthusiasts will want to monitor closely. In a year already packed with notable Saab sales, these three might be among the most usable and sensibly priced offerings we’ve seen.