1967 Saab Sonett II Coupé

Chassis no. 000052 Engine no. 8419

Footnotes

Founded in the late 1930s to manufacture aircraft, Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB) diversified into automobile manufacture at the end of WW2, announcing its first car, the '92', in June 1947. As far as its mechanical underpinnings were concerned, the SAAB 92 bore a distinct resemblance to the pre-war DKW, being a front-wheel-drive design powered by a transversely mounted twin-cylinder two-stroke engine. Its streamlined body though, clearly showed SAAB's aeronautical background, the 92's astounding Cd of only 0.32 making it the world's most aerodynamically efficient production car, while further evidence of advanced thinking could be found in the all-independent torsion bar suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and Lockheed hydraulic brakes. In 1955 the '93' was added to the range, boasting an inline 748cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine and revised suspension.

Components from these '90' series saloons provided the basis for the Swedish company's first sports car: the Sonett. Intended for racing, the Sonett was blindsided by a change in the regulations, which rendered it un-competitive, and production amount to only six units. The project would remain dormant until 1966 when the Sonett II arrived.

The Sonett II's pretty glassfibre coupé body was bolted to a box-type chassis featuring a roll bar to support the rood. Like that of the original Austin-Healey Sprite, the entire front bonnet section hinged forwards to facilitate easy access to the engine, transmission, and front suspension. The Sonett II was powered by an 841cc, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine producing 59bhp, and had a top speed of 150km/h (93mph). Intended for racing like the original Sonett, the Sonett II competed successfully against other small European sports car in SCCA races in the USA.

Only 258 Sonett II's had been built during 1966 and 1967 when SAAB changed its approach by getting series production underway with the Ford-engined Sonett V4. However, the V4's installation in the previously two-stroke-engined Sonett necessitated an unsightly bonnet bulge, prompting a comprehensive redesign that emerged in 1970 as the Sonett III. By the time production ceased in 1974 a total of 8,368 Sonett IIIs had been manufactured, making it by far the most numerous of the family.

Finished in orange with black interior, this SAAB Sonett II has been stored for some considerable time and is offered as a restoration project. The car is registered in Switzerland.