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SAAB SONETT. Saab saloons have gained splendid sporting reputations, but the company's attitude


Saab saloons have gained splendid sporting reputations, but the company's attitude to its only sports car seemed reticent, and little attempt was made to exploit its potential, marketing being largely confined to the USA.

The diminutive open Sonett I, based on Saab 93 components and shown in 1956, was shelved and it was not until 1965 that the Sonett II coupe was announced. It was put into limited production late that year. A design by Bjorn KarLstrom was preferred to a Targa-top exercise by Sason; both were inevitably inhibited by the need to use available components, so that the Sonett II looked dumpy, sitting on wheels from the contemporary 96, which were just too large for it. How-ever, they tied in with the saloon's suspension, engine (in its 841cc 60bhp Monte Carlo form) and transmission, naturally with front-wheel drive.

The glass fibre body was mounted on a shortened 96 chassis pan, and soon grew a bulge over the bonnet as it was modified to accept the 1.5-litre German Ford V-4 in 1968. This change to a four-stroke was largely at the insistence of US distributors, and its extra 10bhp made virtually no difference to performance because of its greater weight, both versions of the II having maximum speeds approaching 160kph (100mph). There were still too many shortcomings, and Sonett III was evol-ved for 1972.

Sergio Coggiola was commissioned to design a new body, and he came up with a longer, sleeker three-door hatchback, and tidied up the interior. The largest of the Ford V-4s was used, a 1.7-litre unit rated at only 65bhp, as its compression ratio was lowered to suit unleaded fuel. Maximum speed was still almost 160kph (100mph), good aerodynamic characteristics helping to offset the near-910kg unladen weight of this solid little car.

Although the V4 was mounted ahead of the front wheels, the Sonnet was not a nose-heavy car, having light and neutral steering suited to twisty roads. The first year of the Sonett III was the model's best in sales terms, with over 2000 built.

Saab people were fond of jokes about the 'toy' in their range, but the total production of 8351 Sonett Ills justified its existence, even if further development was not possible and production of this 97 ceased after 1973.

Specification (Sonett III) Engine: Ford 60-degree V-4; 90 x 66.8mm, 1699cc; pushrod ohv; single Solex carburettor; 65bhp at 4700rpm. Gearbox: four-speed manual. Chassis: steel platform; front suspension independent by wishbones, coil springs and dampers; rear suspension by beam axle, coil springs and dampers; disc front/drum rear brakes. Dimensions: wheelbase 215cm/844in; track 123cm/481in.


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