1971 Saab Sonett III Offered After Full Restoration

A 1971 Saab Sonett III, presented as one of the tidiest examples to come to market recently, is now for sale following a comprehensive body-off restoration. The car is the faster factory specification, powered by a 1.7-liter Ford V4 engine and equipped with a 4-speed manual floor shifter, a lightweight fiberglass body, and an advanced sheet-steel box-section platform chassis.

The Sonett's Unlikely Origins

The Sonett story began in secret. In the mid-1950s, Saab engine designer Rolf Mellde and a small team, working without official company approval, built a prototype sports car in a rented barn. This first car, retroactively called the Sonett I, featured a riveted aluminum aircraft-style chassis and a fiberglass body by designer Sixten Sason. Only six were ever built. A decade later, with American dealers demanding a sports car, Saab officially entered the market with the Sonett II.

Evolution to the Sonett III

Initial Sonett II models used a two-stroke triple engine, but limited appeal led Saab to adopt Ford's 1.5-liter Taunus V4, creating the more popular Sonett V4. For the 1970 model year, the car was significantly restyled into the Sonett III. Italian designer Sergio Coggiola reshaped the nose and tail, though the central structure was retained for cost reasons. The update introduced pop-up headlights and a floor-mounted shifter. Production ended in 1974 after 8,368 Sonett IIIs were built, largely due to the cost of meeting new U.S. safety and emissions rules.

Specifications of the Featured Car

The specific 1971 car now offered underwent a restoration before its current owner acquired it in 2021. The work was extensive. The fiberglass body was removed from the frame and repainted from its original blue to a two-stage yellow finish. The car's 1.7-liter V4 engine was rebuilt, and the cooling system was upgraded with a new radiator and an electric fan. A PerTronix electronic ignition was installed for better reliability.

The 4-speed manual transaxle was also serviced, with its freewheeling function disabled and a transmission saver kit fitted. The suspension, brakes, and clutch system received attention, with many components replaced. Inside, the fixed-back seats were retrimmed in brown vinyl, and Dynamat sound insulation was added. The car retains its distinctive 15-inch "soccer ball" alloy wheels, pop-up headlights, and a roll bar.

According to the source, the car currently shows 45,000 miles. The restoration aimed to combine the Sonett III's unique Swedish-Italian styling with improved mechanical reliability for modern use. The model's production run was relatively short, making well-preserved examples increasingly sought by collectors.