I recently spotted a Facebook Marketplace ad for a 1996 Saab 9000 CSE that was being broken, I noticed that it had its original Clarion audio units still fitted, both the radio / tape unit and also the separate CD unit. I messaged the seller, and he confirmed they 'should' still be there, what's more, it wasn't just one car being broken, it was 6.
I decided to take the 9000 T18 on a parts sourcing road trip over to Lincoln where the cars were being kept, it's a good 150 mile round trip, so the perfect opportunity to give the T18 a proper drive.
I arrived only to find that the 9000 with the 2 units in, actually weren't together any longer, but after an initial walk around the various cars, I noticed I could source them from a couple of different breakers, I also managed to rescue a number of other interior parts, 2 climate control units in great condition, switches including the central window unit, and a few temperature sensors - all items that might come in useful to keep the T18 in great shape for many more years.
It's always a sad sight the see so many amazing Saabs being broken, but for numerous reasons, they might not have been in good enough shape to rescue, I don't know their full history, or why they ended up as breakers, but from a part story, they were purchased as a lot together from an old gentleman who'd also collected them for parts.
Besides leaving with a box full of finds, the drive was hugely enjoyable, the T18 has the ability to cover vast miles in true Saab comfort, and for a 30 year old, can really move at great pace. It is also a great pleasure to experience what Abbott Racing believed to be the best version of the mighty 9000 Aero, the amount of torque, smooth, decisive gearing, fettled handling and capable braking makes it a seriously special Saab.
An optimistic way of looking at these 6 cars being broken, is that in some part, they are helping other, luckier Saabs thrive for the future, without them, we'd be starting to loose many more, and that'd be a crying shame, as I truly believe the Saab 9000's are one of the best Saabs ever built.
A few valuable parts remain; rear lights and central reflector panels, rust free front wings, a full set of super rare veneer door caps, (although in dire need of full renovation), Turbo grilles, badges, wheels, glass - all parts that sadly, will become harder to find in the next few years, I wish I had the time to strip them all down and store the parts, hopefully someone else will, and what a treasure trove.