The Stipt Polish Point Philosophy: Not Just Restored – Reborn
For many shops, a clean car is the end goal. For Stipt Polish Point, it’s the starting point. Founded in the Netherlands by Rick van Stippent over 15 years ago, this workshop operates on a singular mission: to return vehicles — especially Saabs — to factory-original condition. Not cleaner-than-factory. Not “better.” Just authentically, obsessively, original.
What sets Stipt apart is their uncompromising approach to authenticity. Every surface, every panel gap, every texture is studied and restored to match how the car appeared in the brochure. They don’t cut corners, they restore them — sometimes by reversing years of incorrect repair work, non-OEM parts, or overenthusiastic detailing that removed original factory finishes.
This ethos has earned them a cult following, especially among Saab fans who value originality as much as engineering.
The Saab 9-5 That Started It All: 500,000 Kilometers, Zero Compromise
As covered in our previous article, Stipt Polish Point took on a seemingly impossible task: restoring a Saab 9-5 with over 500,000 km to showroom condition. This wasn’t just about cleaning — this was a teardown, restoration, and reassembly executed with factory precision.
Key highlights from that project:
- Full disassembly of interior panels, treated and recoated in OEM-correct materials
- Paint correction and lacquer-leveling without resorting to respray, preserving the original layers
- Deep restoration of the engine bay, removing decades of grime without over-polishing
- Reinstallation of original components with factory torque settings and placement
The result was a 9-5 that didn’t just look new — it looked like time travel.
For many in the Saab community, that project became a benchmark of what a true restoration should be.
The Showroom Revival Series: From 900 Turbo to 9-3 Aero Convertibles
Since then, Stipt Polish Point has continued their Saab journey, restoring an impressive array of models across multiple generations. Let’s dive into some standout builds:
Saab 9-3 Convertible (Blue)
This soft-top received full-body correction, renewal of convertible fabric, trim rejuvenation, and a refresh of the undercarriage and suspension components. The result is a car that doesn’t just look good at first glance — it holds up under scrutiny. (View on Facebook)
Saab 900 Turbo Convertible
A legend in its own right, this 900 Turbo was treated to a respectful restoration that preserved the soul of its design while removing the signs of wear. Stipt avoided over-modernizing the car, keeping its analog character intact.
Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible (White)
In this case, the white bodywork posed a unique challenge in matching panel consistency and sheen. Stipt’s process ensured even gloss levels across all panels, with special attention to the Aero body kit and lower trim pieces.
Saab 96 – The Classic Treatment
Perhaps the most visually different project, this Saab 96 underwent a preservation-oriented restoration. Rather than aim for modern aesthetics, Stipt worked to ensure that every component looked and felt period-correct. Original badging, wheel design, and engine bay layout were all preserved with surgical care.
The Process: Fluids, Textures, and Factory-Correct Feel
What truly separates Stipt Polish Point from other high-end restorers is their proprietary product development. They formulate their own detailing fluids — not just for cleaning, but to replicate the exact sheen and feel of plastic, leather, vinyl, and painted surfaces.
Their workflow includes:
- Wet sanding to remove oxidized lacquer without compromising paint thickness
- Engine bay vapor treatment to remove grime without leaving artificial shine
- OEM-textured plastic renewal using in-house developed conditioners
- Full interior teardown and treatment with pH-correct solutions to avoid chemical aging
This level of granularity is unheard of outside of OEM development labs. For Saab owners, it means the materials inside the cabin don’t just look original — they age like the originals too.
Why It Matters: Preserving the Saab Legacy, One Car at a Time
In a world where tuning often overshadows originality, Stipt Polish Point stands out as a guardian of Saab’s industrial design language. Their restorations remind us that Saab’s real strength was never in bling or flamboyance — but in the subtle harmony between function and form.
By focusing on preservation rather than reinterpretation, Stipt is helping Saab enthusiasts keep the brand’s spirit alive in the most authentic way possible. Each project becomes a rolling time capsule.
And let’s be honest: the Saab community needs more of this.
Is Your Saab Next?
If you’re a Saab owner with a car that deserves to be more than just “clean,” Stipt Polish Point may be the only team obsessive enough to do it justice. Their standards are not for everyone. But if your goal is to return your Saab to the exact moment it left the factory, this is where you start.
You don’t just get a restored car.
You get your Saab back — the way it was meant to be.
A New Generation of Restoration: From Burnt to Celebrated
While Stipt Polish Point sets the gold standard for factory-accurate Saab restorations, across the ocean, a different kind of project is turning heads for all the right reasons. A 17-year-old American enthusiast brought a fire-damaged Saab 900 back to life, rebuilt it with his own hands, and drove it across the country to SOC 42, where it earned him an award and the respect of the entire Saab community.
He rebuilt a burnt Saab 900 at 17 – and won big at SOC 42
It’s a story of passion, resilience, and the next generation of Saab loyalty in action.
Across the Channel: A Saab 96 That Ate 6 Months, 800 Hours—and Lost Money at Auction
If you thought factory-level restorations were costly, wait until you read about the Bangers & Cash project that devoted six months and over 800 labor hours to resurrect a Saab 96 V4, only to see it sell for less than half the investment. The full narrative of triumph, heartbreak, and sheer Saab passion awaits in our dedicated feature: Saab 96 Restoration on Bangers & Cash.
Dry ice make miracle.