One Classy Saab 900 Talladega
This is a Saab 900 SE Talladega as they were originally delivered in the US:
UPDATE: I should have looked this up earlier. The Talladega model enhancements were as follows:
“Talladega 900SE Turbo” models feature 185-horsepower 2.0-litre Turbo engine; black, silver metallic or cayenne red metallic exterior; 7-spoke light alloy 16″ wheels; leather seats and accessories; colour-matched front spoiler, exterior mirrors and turbo rear spoiler (not available on convertible); “Talladega” exterior identification graphics; bumpers with colour-matched top surface; blacked-out bumper trim strips; and black plush floor mats (four)
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Last weekend, in Washington, I met a guy named Jeremy who bought a Saab 900 SE Talladega just like that one, and subjected it to one of the most tasteful makeovers I’ve ever seen on a Saab. In fact, my 17 year old stepson, who’s been immersed in the Fast-and-the-Furious-style Japanese automotive culture (as many teenagers are) is now interested in Saabs again thanks to this car.
Here’s a front and rear view of Jeremy’s Tally:
As you can see, this looks quite a bit different to the original Saab 900 shown above. The list of modifications is extensive, as follows:
- Viggen front and rear bumpers,
- 9-3 SE side skirts,
- 9-3 smoked fender blinkers,
- e-Code headlights and corner lights,
- Viggen spoiler,
- Saab UK top spoiler,
- 9-3 grille with a stainless steel mesh insert,
- 17″ dual three-spoke wheels,
- a Remus-made Viggen Sport Exhaust muffler.
Jeremy writes as follows:
The bumpers came from an east coast Saab dealer on eBay that’s now out of business, the skirts were from my local Saab dealer, Carter Saab; and the top spoiler, wheels, and muffler came from Turner’s Hill Garage, a Saab dealer in England. Their online store doesn’t seem to be around anymore. Everything was painted by a local body shop with BASF Glasurit paint, which I think came out very nicely.
The grille was courtesy of my insurance company after the car was backed into by a pickup truck while parked two days after I bought it. I added the mesh myself, using a piece from eBay. The Viggen front bumper was also paid for by an insurance company a couple of years ago after a Ford Explorer tore off the original bumper, also while my car was parked. The front edge of his rear bumper snagged the back edge of my front bumper while he was pulling out. I also had to put a Fuba Betaflex-D amplified antenna on the roof since the original antenna hole is covered up by the spoiler. It has a shorter 6″ VW mast on it.
Interior mods are as follows:
- carbon fiber dashboard,
- carbon fiber door pulls,
- gearshift knob (official Saab accesories);
- Saab’s accessory armrest,
- Saab door-mounted cupholders,
- a Blaupunkt Bahamas MP46 radio
- all new Boston Acoustics speakers,
- a 10″ subwoofer
- outboard amplifiers for the rear speakers and sub.
Mounted on the center console is a Dension IceLink iPod cradle on Saab’s 9-3 small cell phone mount.
Here’s a few of the interior carbon fiber bits. Australians who have seen a Viggen will be familiar with the carbon fiber dashboard, which was standard kit on the Aussie Vig:
Performance mods are as follows:
- Viggen Sport Exhaust,
- a 3″ stainless steel Taliaferro downpipe,
- Viggen intercooler,
- a Forge bypass valve,
- custom 3″ air intake (3″ plastic pipe fitted into the stock airbox with a K&N air filter),
- SAS rear swaybar,
- 17″ wheels with 215/45R17 front and 225/45R17 rear Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S tires,
- Abbott springs,
- a TD04 turbocharger.
Jeremy also replaced the original cable-operated clutch with a hydraulic mechanism and a Viggen clutch and pressure plate.
In terms of what he’d like to do in the future, Jeremy has the following plans:
There are only a few things I’d like to add in the future. First is a stage 4 ECU. I haven’t decided which company to go with, though. If I can ever find a good deal on them, I’d also like to install Viggen side skirts, and last, I need to hook up the headlight levelers on the headlights and get a new pair of middle mudflaps. I threw the originals away, but decided I’d like them back for that quirky Saab look. This weekend or next the red LEDs in the radio will get replaced with green ones to match the rest of the dashboard. There’s always something to do with that car!
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I really, really like the look Jeremy’s created with this car. If the next generation Saab 9-5 follows the Aero-X in having a wraparound rear light assembly, then this car is quite possibly going to look more contemporary that any Saab 9-3, thanks to its 9-3 Aero/Viggen body effects and that beautiful red decor panel that stretches between the tail lamps.
Jeremy’s done a really good job of capturing the all the best parts of the 900/9-3 model range and combining them into one car.
Kudos to him, and thanks also for being willing to share the details of the vehicle here with the rest of us!
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I have a question about the stock Talladega: How much better is it than a stock 900SE?
Wow! What a beautiful car. Great job on the modifications. Its nice to see a car with tasteful modifications.
If all of the new generation 900’s had looked like this car when they were new, SAAB whould have sold a hell of a lot more cars in the ’90s.
This is really great to see..
Makes me want my 9-3 back again.
Cool mods and great work…. but it begs the question, why didn’t you just buy a Viggen?
Seriously one of the best looking NG900/OG9-3 around. And, the interior/speaker modifications are so tastefully done. I like the cars that are more substance and less flash. Just a plain and simple nice car. I like it. Nice work.
~P
That is a great car… I wonder how much cash has been put into that, I know Viggen parts are really pricey.
great job,
great story, great pix
and dont you just love those wheels?
Thank you
Looks great. The shine on that paintwork is phenomenal!
@Jeff - i believe the talladega was an upgrade in exterior/interior trim only.
if jeremy sees this comment i’d like to know how he likes the Abbott lowering springs.
What a small internet - that first shot IS my old car!
I was lucky enough to see this car in person at the GTG on Saturday. Jeremey has done a gorgeous job on it. Having owned a black NG900 3-door myself, this brought back happy memories of my own previous car.
Sorry Jeff, I should have looked it up and put it in the article (hey, I’m on holidays…..that’s my excuse)
From GM themselves:
Nice , really nice. Once again those ALU 36 dual spoke wheels make the day- as they do a Viggen when retro fitted.
Droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool.
Thanks, Swade & Jeremy, for making my day. That
900 Talladega is a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!
That bullet-shaped hatch design still looks better
than any hatch on the road today.
What an amazing car. I think this picture needs to be sent to Saab/GM so they get the idea of how great a modern 3 door with classic Saab styling can look. Saab should do a competitor for the WRX and GTi for the younger crowd (like Swade’s young one). Smaller, less expensive hatchback with all wheel drive and the direct injected ecotech from the Cobalt SS priced below 30K. I’d give a down payment on a car like this without even sitting in it.
I should have spent more time admiring Jeremy’s amazing 900SE. It truly is a niiiiiiiiiiice Saab in every sense of the word !
That is one nice car!
What an amazing car. I think this picture needs to be sent to Saab/GM so they get the idea of how great a modern 3 door with classic Saab styling can look. Saab should do a competitor for the WRX and GTi for the younger crowd (like Swade’s young one). Smaller, less expensive hatchback with all wheel drive and the direct injected ecotech from the Cobalt SS priced below 30K. I’d give a down payment on a car like this without even sitting in it.
What Jay said (see above)….if the mere image of that modded 900 can
) on hand to quickly sway
convert Swade’s kid, then Saab’s got a lethal weapon (to the other
hatch producers, peoples
the market to Saab. The perfect balance of performance and practicality.
And if the image isn’t enough, the aggressive growl of the engine/exhaust
note (captured in video ads) will surely induce rapid heart rate amongst
car enthusiasts. My heart is actually racing as i’m imagining driving that turbocharged
beast on my local roads.
*pouring cold water over my head*
OOPS! I meant to say (about any Saab hatch):
The perfect balance of performance, luxury, and practicality.
Oh wow, I remember that car, but I thought it was just another Viggen. Now I wish I had spent more time looking at it.
Thats one awesome machine you have Jeremy!:)
Swade> thanks for the pictures and a great story:)
Taling about Talladega, a dream would be if SAAB did a Talladega III-race
As a (former) 900 Talladega owner, that car looks great! Unfortunately in Oz we didn’t get a Talladega SE coupe, only an S coupe with the 2.3 non turbo. The SE only came in 5 door and convertible.
Dippen: I’d like to see another Talladega challenge, but the 9000 and the 900 were relatively new cars when their respective events happened. If Saab did another one, it would have to use a car that’s well into middle age or one that’s truly geriatric! Better to wait for some new models. Still it’s a good idea!
Ah, ok.
I’ve been keeping an eye out for clean NG900/OG9-3 3-doors, and I’m starting to think they never even existed. Even the Viggens that come up for sale all seem to be verts and 5-doors.
Where in the world did he find Carbon Fiber door handles? How do you smoke fender blinkers? Where do you guys find stuff for your cars? In Houston I have a hard time finding brake pads. Those wheels are great!
2-Don, the carbon fiber handles were a genuine Saab accessory. They might even still be available if someone knows the part number. The smoked indicators are still commonly available for the 900/9-3 and Saab 9-5 (though they don’t fit the 9-3SS or SC).
Thanks Swade. I’ll look into that.
Carbon fibre or wood door handles are available from http://www.stateofnine.com but their web site seems to be down at the moment. I hope they are still in business?
A great car. Glad I got to check it out in person!
Cheers
Chris