SAAB News

The Remarkable Journey of a 1995 Saab 9000 Aero – From California to Sweden

A Classic Saab Beauty Fetches a Record $30,000 at Auction

Explore a rare 1995 Saab 9000 Aero, one of 661 manuals in the US and among 358 Imola red Aeros from 1993-1997, recently auctioned for $30,000.

In the realm of classic cars, few stories are as captivating as the one involving a 1995 Saab 9000 Aero, which recently made headlines after fetching a whopping $30,000 at a Bring a Trailer auction. This sale not only set a record for the model but also signified a nostalgic homecoming, as the car is set to return to its Swedish roots.

A Californian Start

Originally sold at Browning’s Saab in Long Beach, California, this Saab 9000 Aero spent much of its life in the sunny state. Known for its distinctive Imola Red paintwork and Charcoal leather upholstery, the car exudes a blend of luxury and performance. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine and a five-speed manual transaxle, it epitomizes the innovative spirit of Saab.

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This exceptional 1995 Saab 9000 Aero is not only one of the 661 manually-transmitted models brought to the US in 1995 but also among the exclusive 358 Imola red Aeros imported between 1993 and 1997.
This exceptional 1995 Saab 9000 Aero is not only one of the 661 manually-transmitted models brought to the US in 1995 but also among the exclusive 358 Imola red Aeros imported between 1993 and 1997.

High-End Features and Meticulous Maintenance

The Aero variant of the Saab 9000 is renowned for its advanced features. This particular model boasts a glass sunroof, a rear spoiler, fog lights, 16-inch Super Aero wheels, and a sport-tuned suspension.

Immaculately preserved leather seats in a vintage Saab, showcasing timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship.
Immaculately preserved leather seats in a vintage Saab, showcasing timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship.

Its interior is adorned with burl wood accents and a high-fidelity Harman Kardon audio system. Remarkably, despite having clocked 99k miles, the car has been meticulously maintained, with recent updates including a recharged air conditioning system and a new power steering pump.

A Price Reflecting Rarity and Quality

The Saab 9000 Aero is becoming a rare sight in Sweden, with only about 15,000 of the 125,000 sold models remaining. This scarcity, coupled with the car’s pristine condition and desirable features, drove its auction price to an astounding $30,000. To put this in perspective, the car’s original price tag in 1995 was $42,220, equivalent to about $85,235 in 2023 dollars.

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The Swedish Homecoming

The auction’s final day saw a flurry of activity, with the bid price doubling to reach the $30,000 mark. The new owner, Swedish enthusiast Axel Karlsson, expressed his excitement about adding this gem to his collection, which includes a 1990 Saab 9000 Talladega and a 1989 F40. Karlsson plans to bring the car back to Sweden, adding a significant chapter to its storied existence.

Renowned for their exceptional build quality and luxury, the seats in this Saab represent an industry benchmark in comfort and durability, reflecting the car's enduring structural integrity and high safety standards.
Renowned for their exceptional build quality and luxury, the seats in this Saab represent an industry benchmark in comfort and durability, reflecting the car’s enduring structural integrity and high safety standards.

A Testament to Saab’s Legacy

The journey of this 1995 Saab 9000 Aero is a testament to the lasting appeal of Saab’s engineering and design. Its high auction price reflects not only its physical condition but also the emotional value and nostalgia associated with such a classic model. As it heads back to Sweden, it stands as a proud reminder of Saab’s innovative legacy and the enduring passion of its global community of enthusiasts.

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Goran Aničić
the authorGoran Aničić
For over 15 years, Goran Aničić has been passionately focused on Saab automobiles and everything related to them. His initial encounter with Saab cars took place back in 2003 when the first Saab 9-3 and sedan version were introduced. At that moment, he was captivated by the car's Scandinavian design logic and top-notch engineering, and everything that followed stemmed from that first encounter. Later on, through his work at the editorial team of the Serbian automotive magazines "Autostart" and later "AutoBild," he had the opportunity to engage more closely with Saab vehicles. In 2008, he tested the latest Saab cars of that time, such as the Saab 9-3 TTiD Aero and Saab 9-3 Turbo X. In 2010, as the sole blogger from the region, he participated in the Saab 9-5ng presentation in Trollhättan, Sweden. Alongside journalists from around the world, he got a firsthand experience of the pinnacle of technological offerings from Saab at that time. Currently, Goran owns two Saabs: a 2008 Saab 9-3 Vector Sportcombi with a manual transmission, and a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin Sport Sedan from the last generation, which rolled off the production line in Trollhättan in December 2011.

7 Comments

  • I have a Aero from 97.. Aero 2,3T with 500 hp +, 19 inch wheels, sunroof, all black, 105 k miles on the clock
    ( 168378 km ) full service history etc.
    facebook.com/saab9000aeromaptunst7
    Cheerios

  • Had one of these which I modified and it was a brilliant long distance cruiser with the power on tap when needed. And super comfortable. Fortunately one of the former owners of my current 900 turbo had the good sense of fitting the 9000 aero seats..

  • Wow. The dash and the seats are magnificent. I thought that my 1989 900 Aero had great seats, but this is a level above. Is that colour laser red? My 2007 9-3 Aero is laser red. Best colour ever.

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