Saab Sonnet

[KSIS]

Anyone familiar with them? I know they were a 3 cyl. A frind of mine has one in good shap at his shop and is willing to sell. May pick it up as a project. Possible drive train swap. Any suggestions?

 

[philman]

i remember hearing something about "freewheeling" and the tranny sometimes a problem. of course i like all saabs, even the old wagons.

 

[swift6]

I thought the Sonnets used the Ford V4.

 

[KSIS]

Yes, you are correct the v4. It has been a while since I read up in them. The old 98's have the 3cy? right?

 

[RobT]

I thought the early Sonnets had the 3-cyl 2-stroke engine, then they switched to the V4 Ford Transit engine, but retained the free-wheeling clutch from the earlier drive train.

In any case, they are very cool cars, lots of SAAB quirkyness. There is one that lives near here that I wave to.

Rob.

 

[AngliaGT]

According to one of my books,they used the 3 cylinder,
switching to the V4 in 1967.It also says that they only
built 24 in 1966.

- Doug

 

[Steve]

I had a Saab 96 with the 3-cylinder two-stroke and the freewheel. Great little car, and it went like stink! Never had a problem with the freewheel or the tranny, it's just a case of getting used to the freewheel and the fact that you can pre-select a gear ready for when you get back on the gas! The freewheel can be de-selected by means of a lever, by the way. If you don't like it you don't have to put up with it.

 

[vagt6]

The Sonnet was a very tiny car, but handling was good and it had a nice, but tight, interior. A friend of mine had one back in the day.

It fared well in autocross events, too.

Front wheel drive, very good grip and nice styling. I dont' think I've seen one for at least 20 years.

Cool car, as are most Saabs.

 

[3798j]

I had always thought that the freewheeling feature was utilized to prevent excessive engine wear from oil starvation. Supposedly the two stroke would starve for oil causing cylinder wear if engine braked (off throttle) and that freewheeling was only to be dis-engaged for slippery conditions. Now, I could be totally wrong and was simply believing an old wives tale. As an incredible aside, we used to tow a TR3 to auto crosses with a '58 Saab 93. One of us would ride in the Triumph and steer, otherwise the rear wheels of the Saab would lift off the ground when rounding corners.

 

[KSIS]

Anyone heard of a motor swap on one? The body is in really good shape but the drive train is to be desired. I'm wondering what could be done to be a fun daily driver.

 

[Steve]

I had always thought that the freewheeling feature was utilized to prevent excessive engine wear from oil starvation. Supposedly the two stroke would starve for oil causing cylinder wear if engine braked (off throttle) and that freewheeling was only to be dis-engaged for slippery conditions. Now, I could be totally wrong and was simply believing an old wives tale. As an incredible aside, we used to tow a TR3 to auto crosses with a '58 Saab 93. One of us would ride in the Triumph and steer, otherwise the rear wheels of the Saab would lift off the ground when rounding corners.

You mixed the oil with the gas on these, (at least I did on mine, a '66) so oil starvation would not be an issue.

 

[3798j]

I had always thought that the freewheeling feature was utilized to prevent excessive engine wear from oil starvation. Supposedly the two stroke would starve for oil causing cylinder wear if engine braked (off throttle) and that freewheeling was only to be dis-engaged for slippery conditions. Now, I could be totally wrong and was simply believing an old wives tale. As an incredible aside, we used to tow a TR3 to auto crosses with a '58 Saab 93. One of us would ride in the Triumph and steer, otherwise the rear wheels of the Saab would lift off the ground when rounding corners.

You mixed the oil with the gas on these, (at least I did on mine, a '66) so oil starvation would not be an issue.

The 3 cylinder two stroke engines needed that oil in the gas for lubrication. It's on the "overrun" that maintaining adequate lubrication can become a problem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freewheel

 

[philman]

I had a chief in the Navy with one when he rebuilt the engine he used (this is from memory) volvo valves and ford pistons. His was pretty fast, but I never asked him how difficult it was.

 

[swift6]

I know of one locally that has had the V4 hot rodded a bit with a new cam and increased compression. Very quick little sucker if you can shift the column shifter fast enough.

Very cramped inside, I fit in it better without the seat.

 

[RobT]

There is a clip on "Jay Leno's Garage" where he takes the viewer for a spin in a 2-stroke SAAB 93. Very fun.

https://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/clips/1958-saab-93b/188058/

Rob.

 

[JPSmit]

sweet! My Dad had a '58 DKW 2 stroke 4 in the tree, Oh why did I let it get away

 

[Marvin Gruber]

I have a 196? Auto Union DKW SP1000 convertible, one of 1640 I am told. Looks like a baby 55 T-Bird. It has the same setup engine wise as the Sonnet. Dad bought the car years ago. Engine was toast, couple of engine parts missing. Bought like to buy car with same engine to swap out and put this thing on the road to see what its like.

Marv

 

[3798j]

Rob, thanks for posting Leno's 93. How neat. I just passed it along to my friend who owned the '58. He never pre-mixed the gas/oil combination. He'd pour in the can of Saab's "special" oil first (purchased at the Saab dealership), then would fill up the tank. Had forgotten about the pull starter, but remembered the shade for the radiator and that exhaust note as if it were yesterday.
My buddy just replied to me reminding me of Saab's way of advertising their 3 cylinder engine - "Only seven moving parts".

 

[JPSmit]

I have a 196? Auto Union DKW SP1000 convertible, one of 1640 I am told. Looks like a baby 55 T-Bird. It has the same setup engine wise as the Sonnet. Dad bought the car years ago. Engine was toast, couple of engine parts missing. Bought like to buy car with same engine to swap out and put this thing on the road to see what its like.

Marv

That is really Cool! I love those.

There is a DKW Yahoo group if you didn't already know