Why this matters to saab owners
For years, recreating the factory Saab 900 Carlsson look was a parts hunt with no clear end. Originals were scarce, damaged, or incomplete, and prices climbed whenever a single bumper or arch surfaced. That reality has finally changed. Thanks to the Hungarian specialists at A-Zperformance, enthusiasts can now buy a faithful replica of the Carlsson bodykit—engineered with modern tooling, verified on-car, and released in phases so projects don’t sit stalled in the garage.
Key point: this is not a casual copy. A-Z used a dedicated prototype vehicle to check fit and finish, iterating through jigs and fixtures until the parts located cleanly on factory mounting lines. The result is a kit that fits accurately and installs predictably, bringing the Carlsson aesthetic back to regular road cars—not just museum pieces.
A short history: what defines the Carlsson look
When Saab dressed the late-’80s 900 in the Carlsson package, it wasn’t about stripes; it was about stance and proportion. The deeper front bumper, wider wheel-arch lips, and the re-profiled rear apron visually lowered the 900 and tied the fenders to the aero wheels. On the road, you saw more body, less air, and a cleaner wrap around the corners. That cohesive silhouette is why owners have chased these parts for decades.
Today’s replica set respects those original lines. The bumper profiles, return edges, and arch radii mirror the period pieces, but the parts benefit from contemporary lay-up consistency and quality control.
Development timeline – what changed this summer
A-Zperformance didn’t just post renderings; they built and validated hardware. Here’s the public timeline, backed by workshop photos and on-car test-fits:
- July 24: prototype 900 Cabriolet shown with the front bumper and wide arches installed. Rear bumper announced as “coming in a couple of weeks,” side panels targeted for Q4 2025.
- August 5: production bench images from the final tooling checks—fixtures, alignment bars, and mounting points visible; last dimensional tweaks underway.
- August 19: release confirmation—the rear bumper is ready for customers. A-Z emphasizes precision and easy installation; full front + rear bundle offered to optimize shipping.
This step-by-step rollout matters because it shows the work behind the marketing. Dozens of hours went into capture methods and fixturing so installers don’t have to improvise.
What you can order right now (and what’s next)
- Front bumper—Airflow/Carlsson replica (1987–1993):
https://a-zperformance.com/products/saab-900-carlsson/saab-900-airflow-carlsson-front-bumper-replica-1987-1993-33748.html - Rear bumper—Airflow/Carlsson replica (1978–1993):
https://a-zperformance.com/products/saab-900-carlsson/saab-900-airflow-carlsson-rear-bumper-replica-1978-1993-33137.html - Wide wheel-arch extensions: available (as seen on the blue Cabriolet prototype).
- Side sill/door panels: planned for Q4 2025.
- How to buy: order via product pages above or email info@a-zperformance.com. A combined front + rear kit is available to reduce shipping cost.
Note: original Carlsson pieces are long out of production; these are new replicas designed to achieve the same visual result with consistent quality.
Build quality and fitment—what our photos reveal
Workshop shots from early August show structured lay-ups, uniform gelcoat, and fixture-based drilling. On-car photos from August 19 2025 demonstrate:
- Tight return edges against the quarter panel and light housings.
- Even lower valance line across the rear with a clean cutout around the factory tailpipe.
- Correct depth in the mid-band of the bumper, preserving the Carlsson shadow line.
On the COnvertible prototype, the arches track the fender lips smoothly, with the period-correct visual weight above the Aero wheels. The kit doesn’t rely on filler to “fake” the shape; the geometry is in the part.
Installation notes for classic-900 garages
Every car has some variance after several decades, but the design intent here is predictable, bolt-on alignment:
- Test-fit dry before paint. Check panel gaps at the lamp clusters and quarter edges; adjust lightly if your shell has prior repair history.
- Mounting follows factory logic. The visible bench fixtures indicate repeatable hole placement; don’t re-invent hardware unless your car requires it.
- Paint prep: treat the gelcoat like any new composite panel—degrease, light block, adhesion promoter where your paint system recommends, then base/clear.
- Exhaust tip clearance: the rear bumper’s cutout is sized for factory routing; verify your tailpipe angle if you run an aftermarket system.
Tip: if you’re building the full look, plan your ride height and wheel offset early. The arches and bumpers are happiest when the stance echoes period Carlsson/Aero specs.
How this replica changes the game
- Availability: for the first time in decades, you don’t have to chase incomplete used kits.
- Consistency: new tooling means repeatable parts, not one-off fiberglass jobs of uneven thickness.
- Project flow: releasing front, rear, and arches now—with side panels coming—lets owners build in stages instead of waiting for a mythical “complete kit.”
- Community support: the prototype Convertible and workshop transparency show actual investment, not just catalog photos.
In short: the Carlsson look is now a realistic weekend project rather than a multi-year hunt for unobtainium.
Quick FAQ
Will it fit my year?
Front bumper listing covers 1987–1993 classic 900; rear bumper listing spans 1978–1993. Always confirm the exact listing for your model year and body style.
Is this OEM?
No. Originals are long gone. This is a high-quality replica engineered to match the lines and mounting logic of the factory parts.
What about side panels?
Planned for Q4 2025. If you want the full period silhouette, you can start with bumpers + arches now and add sills later.
Can I buy as a kit?
Yes—A-Z offers a front + rear bundle to save on shipping.
Closing thoughts
The original Carlsson kit has been unobtainable for years. With these new A-Zperformance replicas, owners finally have a credible, consistent path to the look that defined Saab’s most assertive classic 900s. The development car, workshop fixtures, and August release photos all point to the same conclusion: the parts fit, the lines are right, and the project is repeatable. If you’ve been waiting to give your 900 the stance it deserves, the wait is effectively over.
