Saab’s automotive manufacturing activity began with the 92 in 1949. The model incorporated the basic vehicle format and many of the signature features that would characterise Saab’s road vehicle products over the succeeding two decades: compact, aerodynamic body, two stroke engine, (later replaced by a V4 four stroke), and front wheel drive. It was superseded in ’55 by the 93 which had similar – though ‘modernised’ - looks, but with numerous improvements, both mechanical and body-wise. Significantly, modifications to the 3 cylinder engine endowed it with 30% more power. While the new model had been in development, a small group of engineers/designers operating as a skunkworks team established a concept for a sports car based on the 93. With competition use in mind, it was a roof-less lightweight – likely inspired by the Porsche 550 Spider even though technically very different in terms of the drivetrain. However, whilst a production run was commenced following first presentation as the 'Saab Sonett' in Spring ’56, the model was cancelled after only six examples had been completed. Focus was to be on the replacement for the 93, a much improved model launched in ’60 – the Saab 96.
Whilst the 93 had established Saab in export markets, including the U.S., the more sophisticated 96’s increased sales level gave rise to a dynamic American dealer network. This community, knew from its experience with the products of other European makers that its hunger for incremental volume and profit could best be satisfied by having sports models available for their customers. Representatives of the dealers successfully lobbied Saab’s management for the creation of a Saab coupe/GT. Design, under leadership by Sixten Andersson, was commissioned from Malmo Flygindustri, a company based in the Bulltofta locality of Malmo and specialising in the manufacture of light aircraft. The company produced a prototype, code named MF113, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, March ’66 as the Saab Sonett II.
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| Sonett II, Geneva Show ’66
Courtesy David Phipps/Motorsport Images |
The
Type 97 Sonett II had a fabricated sheet steel chassis, fibreglass body (with
front clamshell) and running gear mostly derived from the 96. The engine was the Sport version – 841 cc
with triple Solex 34W2 carburation and lubricated by oil injection rather than
petroil fuel. It was 42% more powerful
than the standard 96’s motor at around 58 bhp.
Kerb weight was 710 Kg, allowing a 0-60 mph time of 11.4 secs and a top
speed of around 105 mph. The chassis
number range of Two Strokes is 000001-000258 (’66 and ’67). The four stroke 1498 cc Ford V4 version was
introduced in mid-’67 and was in production until ’69. Production numbers have been reported as: Two
Stroke: 257 (’66/’67); V4: 1610 (’67-’69), total 1867. All these cars were left hand drive and most
were exported to the U.S.
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#000190 rolling chassis;
#000178 clamshell; #000048
841 cc engine Courtesy Cute Italian Posteriors
(Pinterest); Conceptcarz; Marc Vorgers |
The earliest Sonett II of which I have an up to date photograph is
#000048, built in ’66.
One of the aspects of the Sonett II Two Stroke is that it carries no model-identifying
badge. However, there is a marque badge
front and rear to make sure you know it’s a Saab: Near the leading edge of the clamshell, the
script SAAB/aeroplane symbol is mounted centrally. A SAAB script badge is affixed to the boot lid,
between the number plate and the left hand tail lamps. Both badges were bright alloy or chrome
plated.
With
this feature a major aesthetic difference between the Two Stroke and V4 is
obvious. The V4 has a script SAAB badge
on the clamshell just about in line horizontally with the centre of the
headlamp and aligned vertically with the steering column’s position, (left,
below). Near to the centre of the
clamshell is a badge, (centre, below), with the script SONETTV4 on a black
ground, in a form analogous to an air intake as present near to the panel’s
trailing edge. Most Sonett V4s have no
badge affixed to the rear, though there are many examples of customisation whereby
a SAAB script badge has been applied to the boot lid, (right, below), or the
SAAB/aeroplane symbol badge has been mounted on the horizontal surface between
the rear screen aperture and the top edge of the rear panel.
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#001189 Courtesy Saabfactory (BaT); 001358 Courtesy Lug_Nut (BaT); #000503 Courtesy H&H Classics |
As evident in the photographs above, the bulge in the V4’s bonnet centre
is considerably more pronounced than that seen on the Two Stroke, (below),
reflecting the greater height of the four stroke unit.
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| #000048 Courtesy Marc Vorgers |
Standard
road wheels, (left, below), were steel with chrome plated hub caps featuring an
embossed SAAB/aeroplane symbol, 15” diameter and carrying 155 width tyres. Optional alloy rims, more usually seen on the
Sonett II V4, include the ‘Soccerball’ (second left below), Roal Minilite-style
(second from right, below) and JP Cromodora-style (right, below):
The
standard steering wheel is as seen left, below on V4 #001417. Aftermarket wheels, e.g. Momo (#000052)
(second left, below), Nardi (#001757) (second right, below) and Britannia (#000408)
(right, below) are common on surviving Sonetts.
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| Courtesy BrochureMuseumNL;
Bonhams Cars; BiddersHighway; Mrtorgue (BaT) |
The
specification of the Sonett II was summarised in a brochure published in ’69:
Recently
sold/offered Sonetts:
Two Strokes:
1970
saw a new model – the Sonett III, seen below.
This had significantly revised styling and increased – to 1699 cc –
engine capacity. It was in production
through to ’74 with over 8,000 examples manufactured. The Sonett III was not a good looking car,
continuing a trend, for the V4 was less successful aesthetically than the Two Stroke – just look at that disproportionate bonnet
length. And that was that – Saab never
again dabbled with ‘sportscar’ manufacture.
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Saab Sonett III Courtesy Petrolicious
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