1997 Saab 900 Talladega model

[southsaab]

Just recently bought a 1997 ng900 SE vert, and when insuring it, GEICO labeled it a Talladega model. What is a Talladega model?




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[nordwulf]

I found this press release from Saab USA:

Special high-performance luxury model: Saab 900 Talladega Edition

Saab is now launching the Saab 900 Talladega Edition special edition model - a superbly equipped Saab 900. The Saab 900 Talladega Edition combines the driving enjoyment offered by the 185 bhp turbocharged engine with an above-average standard of equipment. The new Saab 900 Talladega Edition is being presented almost exactly ten years after the beginning of the Saab high-speed runs on the American Talladega circuit, which resulted in two world speed records.

The Talladega Superspeedway - the world's fastest race track - has a special place in Saab's history. In 1986, a Saab 9000 Turbo in perfectly standard trim set up a world speed record on it by travelling 100 000 kilometres at an average speed of 213.299 km/h (133.465 mph).

Now - ten years later - Saab is launching yet another high-speed challenge on the Talladega circuit, this time with a Saab 900 in 'The Saab 900 Talladega Challenge 1996'. For a period of eight days from 16 October this year, perfectly standard Saab 900 cars will be driven at full speed on the Talladega circuit. The cars have been picked at random from the production line by special impartial inspectors from the international motor sport federation.

Concurrently with 'The Saab 900 Talladega Challenge 1996', Saab will be introducing a new special model known as the Saab 900 Talladega Edition. The new Saab 900 Talladega Edition is powered by the Saab 2.0-litre 185 bhp turbo engine and will be marketed only as a 1997 model. The car has all of the equipment included in the Saab 900 SE. In addition, the new Saab 900 Talladega Edition has a number of unique features that set it apart from other Saab cars:

• 7-spoke 6.5 x 16-inch light alloy wheels made specially for Saab by BBS and fitted with 205/50 R16 Michelin Pilot high-performance tyres (Saab Super Aero wheels on cars for the USA).
• leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever knob, and a leather gaiter for the gear lever (not on cars with automatic transmission)
• leather-upholstered interior
• leather trim on the door panels
• black plush floor mats
• chromium plated inner door handles
• colour-matched front spoiler
• colour-matched door mirrors
• colour-matched turbo spoiler at the rear (3-door and 5-door models)
• colour-matched bumpers with blacked-out bumper trim
• Talladega Edition emblem

The new Saab 900 Talladega Edition will be available for sale at the end of January, 1997, in three-door and five-door versions and also as the Convertible model. The car is powered by the renowned Saab 2-litre turbo engine developing 185 bhp and driving the car through a 5-speed manual gearbox, 4-ratio automatic transmission or the 5-speed Saab Sensonic system.

The Saab 900 Talladega Edition is available in three bodywork colours - Black, Silver Metallic, and Cayenne Red Metallic."

[southsaab]

Thanks for the info. That's more than I found. I'll see if I can find what a Talladega emblem is. Here's another pic


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[nordwulf]

Yours doesn't have the 6-spoke wheels and color-matched door mirrors so perhaps the information from Geico is incorrect.

[southsaab]

That what I thought, too. Though from the info, US spec cars got the super Aero wheels. GEICO using VIN number, wonder if Talladega models had a certain code. Would be nice if it were; give me a chance to a higher status at shows [emoji16]


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[southsaab]

Update, I found where the Talladega emblem should be. When it gets out of the shop I'll check. Don't remember one being there, but I wasn't paying attention.


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[southsaab]

Got the car back from the shop, and obviously someone has taken the Talladega emblem off and put some stupid 2.0 Turbo on instead. I fixed that...


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