Now I am curious (and confused). What is the difference between the Saab 9000 Carlsson, Aero, and Talladega? I thought the Carlsson is the same as the Aero and Talladega except it was only sold in the UK. How rare are these cars and that spoiler? Anyone have production figures. Wikipedia says there were only 129 Carlsson sold in the UK. Was it ever sold in the US and Canada?
Sorry for turning a 164 space into a 9K for once:
My info is that some 200 units of the 9K Carlsson were sold in UK only, between maybe 1988 - 1990. The next generation 9K Aero began in 1992, and in North America, 1993. Between 1990-92, there was a minor facelifted 9000 special edition, same as the Carlsson but renamed to Aero. It has the 9000CD headlights and grill, so the front bumper is different than both the 80's Carlsson and the post-92 Aero.
The 9000 Talladega is the official Swedish name for the special edition between 1988 and 1989 I think. It is in celebration of the 9000 victory in the Talladega long march and identical to the Carlsson in UK.
In US and Canada, something similar to the Carlsson or Talladega was sold in 1987-88, but without a special designation. They're just called the 9000 Turbo, same engine rated at 175hp ( the Talladega had 200+ hp setup )
Appearance-wise, there was an even more aggressive-looking 9000 in US/Canada than the Carlsson: it has bigger wheel arches, lower door caps all around; the Carlsson has smaller fender flares, and no door caps. Both have big wings, the one with arches and door caps is sometimes called the "9000 Airflow." I saw a few of them in the Toronto area.
That big spoiler is VERY, VERY rare! much more desirable than the subtle post-92 Aero wing. Saab junkies will kill to get that 80's huge wing. I sold my 9000 with the Airflow-type kit but a bent valve, still I got very good money because buyers wanted that kit so much. When I said it's a waste to install a Carlsson wing on a 164, it was an understatement: you can sell that piece and buy TWO S spoilers to fit perfectly on your 164 deck!
The difference between a stock old 9000 and one with the Carlsson or better still, Airflow kit is ENORMOUS. Plus those arches are a quick solution to Saab's notoriously rusty fenders...