900SAAB

900SAAB.com: Black Pearl Grille

One of the options available through the SAAB Accessory Catalog, in '99 and '00 was the black-pearl grille. This grille is the 9-3 style and was an option for the 9-3 model; since these share the same mountings as the 900, the grille can be installed without modification. Because of the limited availability of the grille, they have become increasingly rare in used form. I was lucky enough to find one for under $50, shipped, and snagged it without thought.

I think the darker appearance of this grille compliments the Le Mans Blue paint and black accessories of my 900.

If you'd like to have the same effect, without sourcing a genuine Black Pearl grille, there are a few options available to you. First, you can have a stock 9-3 grille plated (similar to the gold plating of automotive emblems) in the black-chrome finish. Second, you can apply a coat of NightShades to the stock 9-3 grille and protect it with clearcoat. Third, you could separate a stock 9-3 grille and have the chrome portion powder-coated in black-chrome. If you do decide to try one of these options with success, would you send along pictures for me to post here?