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Updated: 14-August-2026 17:34
Saab Sonett 3, 1971
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Saab Sonett III, year 1971. Colour dark red combined with a brown leatherette interior, brown carpet, and grey protective mats. This rare Saab Sonett III was restored / improved recently. Also, the V4 engine and the gearbox were overhauled. Photos showing the work which was carried out are present. This incredibly special Saab Sonett III is in a very good condition, and the car offers a unique driving experience. The Saab Sonett was designed for the US market, and from 1970 until 1974 8368 cars of this type were built. The Sonett is a GRP bodied lightweight (830 kg empty) sports car based on the Saab 96 V4 floor pan. The front wheel drive car is powered by the same Ford V4 engine as the Saab 96 and it features a four speed gearbox with floor shift. The interior is small and purposeful and fitted with a Saab sports steering wheel and a Sonett branded radio with FM. Drivers with a length of maximum 6 feet (180-85 centimetres) will just find a place behind the steering wheel. This Saab Sonet III shows all the original details including original alloy wheels. This is a classic car to be seen and experienced in real life, you are welcome to come and see this Saab Sonett in our showroom!
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Classic Open 2106
The Saab Sonett story begins in the mid‑1950s, when Saab sought to demonstrate its engineering ambition beyond aeronautical‑inspired saloons. The first prototype, later known as the Sonett I, was presented in 1956 as an ultra‑light, competition‑focused roadster built around an aluminium spaceframe and a streamlined fibreglass body. Only six examples were produced, making it one of Saab’s rarest creations and a pure engineering exercise rather than a commercial model. Its purpose was to explore how Saab’s two‑stroke technology could be applied to a dedicated sports car with minimal weight and exceptional aerodynamics.
A decade later Saab revived the concept with the Sonett II, designed by Ragnar Håkansson with styling input from Sixten Sason. This new model adopted a fibreglass body over a steel backbone chassis and retained front‑wheel drive, giving it a unique character among contemporary sports cars. Early Sonett II models used Saab’s three‑cylinder two‑stroke engine. From 1967 onward the car was re‑engineered to accept the Ford‑sourced V4 engine, resulting in the Sonett II V4. Production numbers remained modest with 258 two stroke cars, and 1342 V4 cars produced. The car established Saab’s reputation for unconventional yet purposeful sports‑car design.
In 1970 the Sonett III was introduced, featuring a more modern and cohesive body styled by Sergio Coggiola and refined by Saab’s in‑house team. The III retained the V4 engine and front‑wheel‑drive layout but offered improved ergonomics, a more practical interior and a sleeker, contemporary profile. It became the most commercially successful of the Sonett series, with 8368 cars built before production ceased in 1974. Together, the Sonett I, II and III form a unique chapter in Saab’s history, showing the marque’s commitment to lightweight engineering, aerodynamic innovation and unique design.
Technical data (Sonett III)
Engine: Ford Taunus V4
cylinder capacity: 1498 cc
induction: single carburettor
capacity: 55–65 bhp depending on market specification (typically 65 bhp for European spec)
torque: 110–115 Nm at 3500 rpm
gearbox: 4‑speed manual gearbox with floor shift
top‑speed:165 km/h
acceleration 0–100 km/h: 13 seconds
brakes: Front discs, rear drums (Saab 96 V4 layout)
drive: Front‑wheel drive
weight: 830 kg (empty weight).
Marc Vorgers
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