Saab, the Swedish carmaker, surprised the world when it unveiled a sexy sports car in 1956. The Saab Sonett used mechanicals from its sedans and placed them in a new curvy package. eBay recently offered a great example—a vivid original factory-green 1974 Saab Sonett III located in Voorhees, N.J.
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A One-Family 1974 Saab
The car looks very tidy. It’s a one-family-owned, garage-kept Saab with only 39,233 miles on the odometer.
The Sonett III had many refinements over the earlier editions, including a more modern Ford V-4 engine of German origin.
The Sonett III looks splendid in its original bright green.
This car is in good condition. The vendor says:
Mechanically, the car is tight, and starts, runs, and drives great. The clutch may need to be adjusted—it sometimes pops out of gear.
That sounds more like a transmission problem. The headlights don’t pop up as they should, the shocks are bad, the driver’s carpet is worn, and the muffler is missing. But all accessories work, even the radio.
The good news, confirmed by the photographs, is there is no visible rust. Yes, these were fiberglass-bodied cars, but the chassis and other metal parts are frequent rot points.
The Concept Came from Enthusiasts
The Sonett story starts in the 1950s when the “born of jets” manufacturer—which had only made aerodynamic two-door sedans—embraced a sports car concept developed in a barn by four Saab enthusiasts.
The Sonett—also known as Super Sport—was first shown in 1956. A three-cylinder, 748cc two-stroke engine generated its modest 57 horsepower.
Bill Jacobson presented his Saab Sonett, one of six original models, at the Saab convention in Albany, N.Y. in July 2021. (Photo: Jim Motavalli)
It wasn’t all that fast, but the Sonett looked fantastic—like a downsized Corvette of the period. It had a lightweight aluminum chassis sitting on a fiberglass body.
Unfortunately, the first version of the Sonett was a race car without races. Competition rules favored hopped-up regular production cars. Some 2,000 units were planned, but in the end, only six of the original Sonett models escaped the factory.
The Sonett Saga Continues
The Sonett II—all in left-hand drive—started with the two-stroke engine, but that would not fly in the US, so Saab substituted the Ford Taunus engine in mid-1967. In addition, Saab revised the name to Sonett V4.
The Ford V-4 was less quirky than the earlier two-stroke engines.
The car got a hood bulge to clear the engine, strengthened chassis and suspension, and slightly larger wheels. In addition, the front section was hinged forward, giving excellent access to the engine and other components.
The car still had limited power, just 65 horsepower, but it was light and aerodynamic. It could reach 62 mph in 12.5 seconds and attain 99 miles per hour. The US got a healthy number of the Sonetts, which is why you still see them around. They were a curiosity for American buyers, with their freewheel clutches and column shifters.
With the civilized Sonett III, Saab in 1970 got rid of the hood bulge and the column shift, and added air conditioning. The car on offer from eBay is from 1974, the last year of production when Saab made only 2,400 Sonetts.
Sonett Lovers Rejoice
The Sonett is supported by an enthusiastic Saab Club of North America - opens in new window or tab. and Vintage Saab Club of North America - opens in new window or tab., publisher of Sonett-loving Vintage Views. And it’s also well supplied by eBay Motors.
The Sonett has a dedicated page for browsing parts - opens in new window or tab., with water pumps, performance parts hood emblems, hubcap centers, and other bits.
The owner of the Sonett III recently listed on eBay says these sporty little Saabs are “hard to find in this condition.” That’s very true.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.