In a digital landscape crowded with polished restorations, influencer thumbnails, and algorithm-chasing content, Saabing Uncontrollably stands apart for one simple reason: nothing about it is pretend. The cars are genuinely tired, the rust is real, the setbacks are not edited out, and the satisfaction comes only after hours of stubborn, often uncomfortable work. This is not nostalgia packaged for easy consumption. It is Saab enthusiasm in its raw, mechanical form.
The YouTube channel Saabing Uncontrollably is run by a small group of American Saab devotees – Chu, Darren, and the unforgettable Army Dave – who share what they half-jokingly call an “uncontrollable urge” to get old Saabs back on the road. Their featured project, a weathered Saab 95 wagon affectionately known as Old Blue, is not a showpiece. It is a survivor. And its comeback story says more about Saab ownership than any concours lawn ever could.
This article is built around their long-form video “Saab 95 Comeback Story: A Journey of Rescue and Repair”, but what follows is not a recap. It is a contextual, editorial dive into why this particular rescue matters – and why it resonates so deeply with the Saab ethusiasts
A Channel That Treats Saab Ownership as a Responsibility
From the opening moments of the video, it becomes clear that Saabing Uncontrollably does not view classic Saabs as collectibles waiting to appreciate in value. They are machines with unfinished stories. The crew speaks about “getting Sobs back on the road” with the seriousness of a mission, not a hobby, and that language is revealing. These cars are not static artifacts; they are meant to move, haul, stop, idle, and occasionally break again.
What sets the channel apart is its grounding in real-world Saab ownership, especially the kind that exists far from pristine garages and European parts suppliers. Junkyards, improvised storage spaces, and shelves stacked with greasy components are not aesthetic backdrops – they are the infrastructure that keeps old Saabs alive in places where originality is less important than function.
Old Blue: A Saab 95 That Refused to Disappear Quietly
Old Blue arrived with extensive visible corrosion, consistent with long-term exposure to salty environments in the western United States. Surface rust covered much of the bodywork, with localized areas showing deeper penetration. Crucially, the floor structure and load-bearing sections remained intact, allowing the project to proceed without structural repair as a prerequisite.
Rather than addressing cosmetic issues, the initial focus was limited to three questions:
Does the engine rotate? Can the car stop? Can current flow through the electrical system without resistance-induced failure? Only affirmative answers would justify further work.
Engine Verification Before Any Restoration Claims
The engine was not treated as “seized” or “dead” by default. Spark plugs were removed and penetrating oil introduced into the cylinders to lubricate dry surfaces. Manual rotation of the crankshaft confirmed that internal components were free enough to proceed.
A battery was connected, and the engine was cranked long enough to establish compression and ignition. Initial running produced backfiring, traced to a valve not seating properly – an expected outcome on engines that have stood unused. Continued operation allowed heat and movement to clear the condition, stabilizing combustion.
No components were replaced during this phase. The objective was confirmation of viability, not improvement.
Cooling and Charging: Inspection Instead of Assumption
With the engine capable of sustained running, attention shifted to cooling and charging systems. The radiator, an original unit dating back to 1968, was removed and inspected internally. Despite its age, it showed no internal blockage or corrosion severe enough to compromise function. It was pressure-checked informally during removal and reused.
The alternator presented seized fasteners rather than internal failure. Heat was applied selectively to free mounting hardware without damaging adjacent brake lines. Once removed, the alternator was inspected and retained, avoiding unnecessary replacement.
This phase established a consistent pattern: components were retained when they passed basic functional tests, regardless of age.
Brake System: Functional Priority Over Speed of Progress
The brake system defined the pace of the entire project. The car was raised, wheels removed, and rear hubs disassembled. Wheel bearings revealed clean grease and intact seals from a service performed decades earlier, allowing reuse without reconditioning.
Steel brake lines were disconnected and blown through with compressed air, expelling accumulated debris. Their internal condition justified retention. Rubber brake hoses, by contrast, were replaced due to age-related degradation. Rear brake assemblies were rebuilt incrementally, with one complete corner reassembled before proceeding further.
Progress was deliberately uneven. Completion of a single functional brake assembly was treated as more meaningful than partial disassembly across the car.
Clutch and Hydraulic Adaptation
Original hydraulic components presented sourcing limitations. Instead of delaying the project, the crew adapted a Willys Jeep WWII master cylinder to serve as a replacement. A custom mounting bracket was fabricated to accommodate the dimensional differences, acknowledging that piston diameter was not a perfect match.
This was treated as a working solution, not a final one. The emphasis remained on restoring operational integrity rather than originality, with the understanding that refinement could follow once the car proved viable under its own power.
Electrical Systems: Continuity Through Cleaning
Electrical faults were addressed individually rather than through wholesale rewiring. Corroded fuse contacts were cleaned, light sockets disassembled and wire-brushed, and switches freed mechanically. Motors for wipers and cabin ventilation were dismantled, lubricated, and returned to service.
Each component was tested independently. Restoration proceeded only when function was restored, not when appearance improved.
This approach minimized part consumption while maximizing retained originality.
Hood Alignment and Mechanical Fitment
One of the most time-consuming tasks proved to be hood alignment. A broken latch component was replaced using parts from a donor car. Correct closure required loosening mounting points, shifting the hood incrementally, and applying controlled deformation to restore alignment.
The work was completed without visual correction tools, relying instead on repeated mechanical adjustment until reliable closure was achieved. No cosmetic refinishing followed.
Drivability Confirmation
With engine, brakes, clutch, and electrics functioning, Old Blue was driven. Cold starts were consistent. Charging voltage stabilized. Gear selection returned after freeing a seized shift linkage through mechanical force and lubrication.
The car’s behavior confirmed the validity of earlier decisions: reuse where possible, adapt where necessary, and replace only when unavoidable.
Cost Structure and Practical Outcome
The acquisition cost of Old Blue, combined with a second donor vehicle, remained under $1,800. Parts consumption was minimized by extensive reuse from existing inventory accumulated through prior Saab dismantling projects.
The result was not a restored vehicle by cosmetic standards, but a fully operational Saab 95 wagon capable of further evaluation and continued use. Patina was left intact, as it did not interfere with mechanical function.
Saab 95 in Context
The Saab 95 was engineered as a utility vehicle rather than a statement piece. With seating for five adults and two children, a flat cargo floor, and modest power output paired with predictable handling, its design priorities remain relevant decades later.
Old Blue’s return to service reinforces that premise. The car performs its intended role without modification to its original concept.
Verification Over Restoration
The comeback of this Saab 95 did not rely on optimism or narrative framing. It relied on measured inspection, mechanical reasoning, and controlled intervention. Each system was treated independently, and progress was earned rather than declared.
Old Blue is not finished. It does not need to be. It is functional, testable, and usable – conditions that matter more than completeness.
I watched the entire video. I am pleased to see that someone is keeping the legacy of SAABs alive and kicking.