While it isn’t as rare as we might sometimes think, finding a fifty-year-old classic that is a one-owner survivor is always a pleasant surprise. Such is the case with this 1974 Saab Sonett III. It has called the same garage home since Day One, and its solitary owner has done a wonderful job of protecting its originality. They have made only one obvious change to this classic, and most readers will agree that it is a change for the better. The time has come for this Swedish classic to find a new home, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the super Saab listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Malibu, California. Handing the seller $20,000 will allow you to drive off into the sunset behind the wheel of one of the automotive world’s most interesting vehicles.
Although the Sonett name first appeared at Saab in 1955, it wasn’t until 1966 that the first production example, the Sonett II, hit showroom floors. The company unveiled the updated Sonett III in 1970, but production ended, some believe prematurely, in 1974. Our feature car is a one-owner classic from the final year. Its exterior carries Burnt Orange paint and the typical Black graphics. The stripes show deterioration and checking, but the paint looks remarkably good for a survivor of this vintage. A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal flaws, but this gem should still draw admiring comments due to its overall condition. There is no evidence of rust, and the glass is clear. One change made by the owner was to remove the 5mph bumpers. Purists will not approve, but I feel it is a change for the better. This car’s svelte styling deserved better than to be lumbered with bumpers that looked more at home on either end of a steam train. Sourcing another set should be possible, but I would be inclined to leave it as-is if the Saab found its way into my garage.
This Sonett’s interior is impressive trimmed in Deep Orange and Brown. There is no visible wear on the vinyl and cloth, and no evidence of UV damage. The carpet is excellent, as is the dash. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, with the car retaining its sports gauges, factory tachometer, and AM/FM radio. It isn’t lavishly equipped, but the beautiful bucket seats should hold occupants snugly in place should the driver push this classic to the limits.
The owner supplies no engine photos, but the ’74 Sonett III was only available with a single drivetrain combination. Buyers received a 1,699cc Ford Taunus V4 generating 65hp and 85 ft/lbs of torque. A four-speed manual feeds the power to the rear wheels, and although that doesn’t sound like a recipe for excitement, the curb weight of 1,900 lbs blessed the Sonett with surprisingly energetic performance. Potential buyers won’t need to spend a dime on the car’s mechanical components, with the seller stating that it is in excellent health. If you feel like heading to Malibu for a vacation, driving home in this Saab is a viable option.
Even when it fell under the umbrella of General Motors, Saab marched to the beat of a different drummer. This often brought Saab management and the “big boys” at GM into heated dispute, and is one of many reasons why the relationship proved unworkable. Therefore, it wasn’t a shock when General Motors disposed of Saab in 2010. The ultimate death of the once-great Swedish manufacturer was more drawn out than a Wagnerian opera. Sadly, there appears little chance that anyone will stage a revival, making it vital that enthusiasts preserve cars like this 1974 Sonett III. The seller has done their part over half a century, but it is time for someone else to grab the baton and run with it. Are you up for that challenge?
Power is sent to the FRONT wheels. I don’t recall Saab, from the late 50s on, ever making a RWD car. Perhaps just a minor typo, Adam?
Sniff, sniff, another Saab story.
Jack Lawrence had one called “Yellow Thunder” he terrorized everyone in his class in SCCA racing.
I owned a blue 1974 for 37 years. Loved the car. As Adam noted, drivetrain is front wheel with a nice unique “free wheel” clutch system. 35-37MPG on the highway was typical. I remember reading the drag coefficient was 0.26 and given enough time, one might reach 105MPH with the 65HP. Other changes I noticed, fabric in the center of the seats is not original, the rear mufflers would not would not be visible with the original design, and I think the radio was AM only. Luckily, the Malibu location of the “Barn” find saved the frame from rust. I see 1 head light and 1 driving light are not working. The biggest killer for Sonett III sales was the Datsun 240Z. Bought my 1 year old for $3,700 and sold it for $4,000.
Concerns if considering purchase: exhaust valves were designed for leaded gas, free wheel transmission bearings are a weak point (there is a lever to disconnect the free wheel system), rubber window and door seals are probably toast (even if garaged), IMO – it really needs the original bumpers. Jack Ashcraft was a SAAB hero to many owners.
I have toyed with the idea of “dropping” a Capri V-6 into one of these. It was essentially the V-4 rngine with 2 cylinders added, and in stock form was rated for about 140hp.
I had some friends who did that swap on their Sonnett for ice racing. The car was a monster. While the engine bolts to the trans you need to cut a big chunk out of the center of the hood as the longer engine sticks out through the fiberglass unless you put a BIG bulge in it. They also went thru some transmissions as they weren’t really up to the torque of the V6.. But man when they were running they were a monster.
At a local car show I once saw a Sonett III with the entire powertrain from an OG 900S 16v swapped in. It was shown hoodless, so IDK what (if any) solution they came up with for hood clearance, and I was too young and unfamiliar with the Sonett III at the time to appreciate just how much other extensive modification that must have required to fit.
My friend has a ’74 he put a Subaru turbo in – 350 or so hp. It’s a beast. Rode back to Kansas in it from Endless Mountain Saab Jamboree near Scranton, PA last year.
A long trip in a tiny car dragging a teardrop trailer. I’m 6’4″, he’s 6’2″ and neither of us is skinny.
thnx for spelling it correctly (caps). Fine cars in all their models, this one particularly so. Slots in there w/the 850, Karman Ghia, MR2. Miata, etc (every vehicle is designed for a particular application, a la “a seat for every a$$”). Wasa time for me & this. Then I got married, began real work and have been named Wagonman the past 1/2 century…
Like to get back to these but wanna auto & cant bend up enuff to get in/out. Some 1 left the TT @ the garage. Glad I can reach in thru the window during diagnosis on blown head gasket (btwn block & transmis also up top on head/block. Not shifting as well… Is it the clutch or tranny? He’s sellin it for 2,500$ as I’m not gunna drop the components, just clear, correct written diagnosis’n write up. I guess he’ll try’n recoup $ on the botched H2O pump job)
Dated a woman who bought the Saab 9000 when it first came out. She previously had a 900. I drove that car more than she did. The turbo lag was very annoying, and with FWD, when it finally kicked in, you lost traction and steering. I remember visiting a friend of hers so she could show off her new car. They got in the backseat to go for a ride and when they went to pull the door closed the whole door panel pulled away from the door. This was with about 2,000 miles on it.
Looks nice. The headliner looks like it needs some help which seems to be very typical. But $20k for a Sonett III, that seems ambitious?
I really like this car and if I was in the position to do so I’d buy it. Saab has been one of my favorite cars since I was in my mid 20s and I’ve owned three.. the middle one being an ’87 900 liftback that was totaled in AZ when a woman in a Buick made left turn in front of me and I had nowhere to go. Next was a green 900 convertible that I drove all over the US in. Those were fun times.
I remember the first time I saw one, thinking how tiny they are. As a point of reference, they are ten inches shorter than a Pinto (assuming the Wikipedia data is correct).
Had a 74 in red. Painfully slow and didn’t handle. It had so much body lean it felt like it was going end up on it’s roof in a 30mph curve. I did love the style of it, but it was more a parade float than a sports car.
Are you sure there wasn’t something wrong with the suspension? Maybe someone disconnected the sway bar.
I agree, Sonetts typically handle great – something must have been amiss.
I have rebuilt several of these V-4 engines and several of the SAAB 96/96/Sonnett transmissions. When reinstallling cylinder heads, BE AWARE that there were several different V-4 block castings and parts stores /dealer ships don’t always provide the correct gaskest sets. Compare the head gasket with the water passages on your block and heads. I learned that the hard way on a Sonnett. Also, when I had one of those transmissions open, I usually welded the freewheeling so that it was inoperative..