The Saab Sonett was a 2-seat sports car built by the Swedish automaker between 1966 and 1974. The last edition of the automobile was the Sonett III which was powered by a 1700-cc V4 engine supplied by Ford. From Cleveland, Wisconsin, this pair of 1973 Sonett IIIs is available here on eBay along with a full assortment of parts and extra body panels. There should be enough here to end up with at least one complete running car when you’re done. No bidding has happened yet with the starting point being $9,000.
After first dabbling with the Sonett in 1955-57, Saab brought the nameplate back in 1966 using engines and other mechanical components from its sedan and wagon product lines. The car was largely exported to the U.S. market although sporadically available on its home turf. The Saab was redesigned in 1970 and gained a hinged rear-window glass in place of a hatch door. Instead of a bulge in the hood for the motor, the engine compartment now had a small front popup panel, whose downside was to limit access to mechanical bits. The Sonett III had hidden headlights that popped open with a manual lever.
The seller uses exactly five words to describe this ensemble: “two Saab Sonetts and parts.” What we see here is a yellow car that might be running or not far from achieving that. The second auto looks more like a parts vehicle in primer grey. We’re not given any specifics about either vehicle, but the garage is loaded with extra parts, doors, roofs, and a pyramid of stuff you’d need to rebuild one or both of these automobiles – and have stuff leftover.
In top condition, a ’73 Sonett IIi was capable of doing 0-60 mph in 13 seconds and had a top speed of 103 mph, that coming from an engine that produced 65 hp. The Sonett III never achieved robust production with just 8,368 of them built in five years. The 1973 oil embargo put an additional crimp on sales and Saab threw in the towel on the car in 1974.
Wow! looks like a couple Sonnets, and a bunch of life-size models come with the deal for yard art!
Reliable, slow and still fun to drive. A V4 version of the Cologne 2.6/2.8 V6 Found in Capris, and Ford Rangers (1983-1984) I have a friend who ended up with his father’s estate besides Subaru SRX, GMC 2500HD, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Gas/Diesel International Crawler/Dozer and other items was a Layton Roller. (6000/8000 pound with water added) When opening up the engine compartment I find a Ford Industrial (That’s what it said on the sticker.) V4. You guessed it, Just like a Sonnett. I was tasked with getting it running as it had been sitting for many years. Among other things the points were fried. So a trip to O’Reillys was in order. No listing for Ford industrial V4, nor for Layton.(now out of business) So let’s try a Saab Sonnett, Yes, they had them in stock and were the correct items. The roller is considerably heavier than a Sonnett!