Locost - Budget Saab B204 build

Just a heads up - if you're planning on getting this through an IVA it's probably worth checking the eyeline requirements vs seating position regards to your bonnet bulge.

Can’t believe it was September last year when I last posted about this. For some reason I can’t login with my username or reset my password - hence the different username!

Had to do loads of work on the daily’s and a general feeling of CBA meant it’s just sat in the corner of the unit gathering dust. Although I have most parts to fully complete, at my rate if work it’s still a couple of years from completion ready for an IVA test. Man maths applied and the obvious solution was to buy something for a bit of summer fun.

Prices for classics and kit cars just seem crazy at the moment - are people really paying these rates or is it just chancers trying their look? Anyway, with a limited budget and strict rules that it must be MoT’d (or very close to being usable from the outset), it’s taken some time and negotiation to get things over the line.

I’ve ended going back to my roots and buying a Robin Hood kit car. Same model as the first kit car I bought 20 odd years ago so I know my way around them quite well.

Let’s start with the bad. Other than MoT’s each year circumstances have meant its been stood outside uncovered for the last 8 years. The body is a stainless monocoque structure so they don’t rust (just crack on the welds 😂), just everything else that’s attached does!

Pics and further details to follow.

So why did I just do a 650 mile round trip in a day to collect a pinto powered pile of rusty junk?

Believe it or not, amongst the wibblepoo and rust there are some redeeming features. It was built right to start with, well engineered with things like the wiring being very good.

Decent set of gauges, interior ok just needs some flooring



Why fit a bias brake set-up, most Robin Hood use the Sierra pedal box?



Oh, what do we have here?

PM one of the Admin and they'll sort you out

Made quite a bit of progress on this. Helps with it being in the garage at home meaning I can grab a few minutes here and there.

Pedal box is all back in and seat mounts modified, I now fit in!

The cycle wings had previously taken a few hits and had cracked in a few places. Instead of replacing them I’ve glassed them back together and they are currently sat in primer pending me deciding what colour to paint things.






Probably not worth the time and effort, other than my time being free!

First test drive didn’t quite go to plan. It was running so well I got a little carried away and ended up stranded 15 miles from home in t-shirt, shorts, no roof (wife kindly brought it over for me) and rain. When running it does go rather well.

Although I said no polishing until properly on the road. As it needed a new air filter I couldn’t resist getting the Solvil out and having 10 minutes 🤣








Just on with sorting the passenger footwell tonight. Similar to the drivers side but I’m not changing the seat mounting,  just cleaning and derusting.














Big changes ahead though. Daughter is off to Uni in the next couple of weeks which means us having to fund her excess drinking for the next few years. So much so I’ve decided to give up the space I rent. I’m trying to work out what I’m going to have to clear out beforehand, but the b204 powered kit car will definitely be on it’s way. I need to get it cleaned down and advertised in the coming weeks. Shame as it will be by far the better car when completed - but needs must!

As I mentioned before I decided to give up my space in a mates unit - I’ve only rented from him for the last 10 years 😂

He’s just in the process of moving premises so it’s sort of the right time. He’s kindly agreed to store the incomplete kit and a few other bits I don’t have space for at home. I really didn’t want to sell so this is great news.

In anticipation of this I thought I’d best get it rolling and steering. Getting rid of 6 months of bodyshop dust



I may regret it but to space I’m ditching the build wheels. Now looking a bit better!



I had a quick look at the previous work on the pedal box and it should not be too difficult to finalise the steering column mounting. I’ve taken a couple of days off work so hopefully it will get completed in time.

Along with a bit of arm twisting from someone who actually had a clue to get me to here.

That turned out very smart indeed!
Any video's of it.
Bet it sounds good.

Didn’t get chance to do a video before I did the usual and sold the car. Bit of a regret as it’s just coming into summer, but I now only have *space for one project car and the longer I kept it meant there would be no progress on the main Saab Turbo project.

I’ve started bringing boxes of parts home from where they are currently stored. Space is going to be a real issue.


The good side to selling a car is that I have a few pounds back in my pocket. So much so that I’ve decided to make my life a little easier and to farm some work out. Hopefully this way the project should get moved on a little quicker (provided I don’t get sidetracked again 🤣)