Saab Sonett II V4
The Saab Sonett II, officially designated the Model 97, was produced from 1966 to 1970 and represented Saab's most ambitious attempt to create a proper sports car. The Sonett II replaced the original Sonett I (which had used a two-stroke engine) and introduced the Ford Taunus V4 engine that would transform Saab's image as a maker of characterful, if somewhat unconventional, sporting vehicles.
The Sonett II was designed by Sixten Sason and refined by Gunnar A. Sjoegren, featuring a fiberglass body mounted on a steel frame. The result was a remarkably light car, weighing just 740 kg, which compensated for the modest 65 horsepower produced by the 1.5-liter Ford V4 engine. The V4, shared with the Saab 96 V4 sedan, was a significant improvement over the two-stroke engines that had powered earlier Saabs, offering smoother power delivery and simpler maintenance.
The front-wheel-drive layout was unusual for a sports car, but it gave the Sonett II excellent traction and predictable handling characteristics. The car's light weight and low center of gravity made it surprisingly agile, and its compact dimensions made it ideal for tight, twisting roads. In many ways, the Sonett II anticipated the front-wheel-drive sports car concept that would later be popularized by cars like the Fiat X1/9 and Honda CRX.
Initial production was handled by ASJ (formerly Malmoe Flygindustri) in Arloff, Germany, before being transferred to Saab's factory in Trollhattan. Build quality improved significantly with the move, and later Swedish-built Sonett IIs are generally considered superior to the German-assembled cars.
The Sonett II was primarily aimed at the American market, where its combination of European style, front-wheel-drive novelty, and affordable pricing found a niche audience. The car was particularly popular in the northeastern United States, where its winter traction was appreciated, and in California, where its quirky character appealed to buyers seeking something different from the ubiquitous MGs and Triumphs.
With total production of just 1,610 units, the Sonett II is one of the rarest production Saabs and a genuine collector's item. Its fiberglass body means rust is not an issue (though the steel frame can corrode), and the Ford V4 engine is robust and parts-friendly. The Sonett II was succeeded by the Sonett III, which featured a more conventional wedge-shaped design but lacked the original's quirky charm.
The fiberglass body does not rust, but the steel frame underneath can corrode badly. Check frame rails, suspension mounting points, and floor sections carefully. The Ford V4 engine is reliable and parts are readily available through Ford networks. Gearbox synchromesh can be weak, especially on 2nd gear. Interior parts are very scarce. Verify originality carefully as Sonett IIs are valuable enough to be faked.
The first 258 Sonett IIs were assembled by ASJ in Arloff, Germany, before production moved to Trollhattan. The fiberglass body was mounted on a separate steel chassis. Early cars used the column-shifted gearbox from the Saab 96, later cars received a floor-shifted unit. Total production: approximately 1,610 units (Sonett II) plus 1,868 Sonett V4 (updated version).