Saab Sonnet

[DrEntropy]

Shiny orange and running under its own power on US 301.

1971 time machine.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Neat cars - remember them well. Three cylinder at first, weren't they? And I don't remember seeing any other than orange ones!

 

[KSIS]

Got one sitting in the back of the shop. The first series had more appeal.

 

[Banjo]

I agree. the later ones looked like a mini Bricklin. All squared off and goofy. the early ones had those nice flowing lines of the 60s GT cars. The one I had the chance to work on was an early style one (69 I think) and it had the V4.

 

[aeronca65t]

I test drove a one-year old lime green Sonnet in '69. It was the new style V4 (Ford) engine. A friend of mine had one that he autocrossed and he was always a lot faster than my old Corvair. I passed on it and bought a 2 year old Sprite (which contributed some parts to my present racer).
I agree with the Ben... the Mk1s with the "<span style="font-style: italic">ring-ding-ding</span>" triple 2 stroke are cooler.

By the way, that Ford V4 eventually morphed into the Ford pushrod V6 that was used in the German Capri and even the Aerostar mini-van and Explorer.

I have a pal who vintage races a Sonnet "roadster" that he made out of a wreck. Still has the 4-speed column shift. It's quick! (below)

 

[DrEntropy]

ISTR that Ford mill was originally a tractor unit? I know it went into the Ford Taunus. I had the "pleasure" of going thru one a number of years back, 96V4. The owner lived in Georgia and had a Cessna he flew down here a lot, bought the Saab (cheap) to have at the hangar here as his transport. Clever lad, too.

 

[sail]

The Sonnet was funky as was the 96 which afaik had the same underbody and drivetrain. I drove this 72 as my main car for 15 years. It was a great car for me, better on the road than in town. With a 4 speed on the column and freewheeling (which could be locked but I rarely did)it was a blast to drive in hills or mountains. Pinto parts often worked on the 4 cyl Ford making it easier to deal with the parts counter than explaining what a Saab was. The back seat folded down into the trunk making a 7' bed, even though I had a tent I never used it. This was taken on a 4 month drive thru most of the states west of Iowa. That was a time when I didn't have a wife wondering when I would be home.

 

[AngliaGT]

That V4 was used in the Corsair - they had 1700 & 2000cc versions.

Richard,

Where was that picture taken?

- Doug

 

[sail]

Doug, you probably recognize it can’t be far from you but not sure exactly where. Very nice country you live in, both the forests and the coast. I intend to take 1 up the coast again. Wife might be up for VW Camper rental in San Francisco, head north and back for a week or two. Better would be to take the TR…

 

[JPSmit]

one for sale

https://bringatrailer.com/2011/02/17/low-mile-wedge-1974-saab-sonett-iii/

 

[AngliaGT]

Richard,

Stop by,if you're in the neighborhood.

- Doug

 

[sail]

Doug, thanks for the invite, same would go if you find yourself around here.
Ya never know........Rich

That Saab is the only one I'm sorry I let go. Unusual for them after all that time there was no rust showing. And the guy I sold it to rolled it the first week.

 

[Sherlock]

I'd love to see more old Saab's up here but Canadian sales didn't start until 1976, so all we got from that time period was the Saab 99... I wish we had more of the early, quirky ones... *sigh*

I remember being in Saab heaven during my only visit to the Carlisle Import Nationals back in 2003, when there were so many early examples I had never seen before...

 

[AngliaGT]

Richard,

My Dad grew up in Cedar Rapids - I think that's where I got my non-
accent from.
I'd love to have an 850 Monte Carlo.

- Doug

 

[DNK]

Where was that picture taken?- Doug

North Dakota