May 2005

The right look for the track.

Although we only intend using our car for trackdays, the intention had always been to have a full livery on the car. This was to repay our sponsors for their contributions to the project, but also to add a Wow factor to the car – as theer would be plenty of tidy black Saabs at our first track day event.

Our first step was to sit down in front of a PC. Armed with some photos of the car, some samples of the logos we wanted the car to carry and a copy of Photoshop, we were able to try out some different layouts and see where the logos fitted best. All three of us had different ideas, but eventually we had a rough idea of what we wanted.

We then met with Mark at Astral Signs to discuss how to finalise our design and get it onto the car. He seemed keen to tackle the large project, and with copies of the manufactures and sponsors logos came up with a fully themed livery. It took several drafts before team members and sponsors all met on the final layout, but we all seemed pleased with the pictures, and could not wait to see it on the car.

Finally the day came to fit the livery to the car. We moved the car up to a local workshop where there was good lighting and plenty of room to work around the car. First the car was washed and dried, then Mark arrived on site with a large bundle of pre-cut vinyl graphics.

Armed with a print-out of the layout, a tape measure and Matt & Chris as unhelpful advice, Mark got to work. Before each graphic was applied, Mark cleaned the area with meths to remove any wax or grease. Then the graphics were removed from their backing and applied with a small squeegee. Most of the graphics were applied dry, exceptions being the long yellow stripes over the bonnet and roof, and the sun-strips. For these, soapy water was applied to the surface to allow them to move into place once fitted.

Where the vinyl had to go round complex curves (only a few places as we had tried to avoid them) it was carefully heated with a hot air gun so that it would stretch into place.

After about 5 hours work, the car was totally transformed. Matt & Chris had seen the car progressing, but it was really the look on Gareth's face when he saw it completed that told the tale. We were so pleased, we spent the rest of the afternoon waxing the car and completing a few other minor adjustments. We later returned it to the Saabfilght workshop, where David Greenwood seemed very impressed with the results.