1972 | Saab Sonett III

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Model range: Jul 1973 - Oct 1974
Drive: Front wheel drive
Empty weight: 830 kg
Emission class: Euro 0
APK (MOT): New APK (MOT) upon delivery
Reference number: klassieker
Registration number: DE-39-53

Saab Sonnet lll type 97 – 1972

The Saab Sonett III is a two-seater sports car built by Saab, as a successor to the Saab Sonett II.
At the end of the 60s, the design of the Sonett II became somewhat out of date. In the car press in the US, the design and handling were bad reviews. For the new design of a Sonett III, Saab called on Sergio Coggiola. For the production it was important that the middle part remained unchanged, but Coggiola ignored that requirement and designed a wider car. Coggiola's design was changed by Gunnar A. Sjögren to use the middle part of a Sonett II. The hinged rear window also became the boot lid, which also improved access (the Sonett II only had a small luggage hatch).
The body is made of fiber reinforced plastic (fiberglass and polyester) with door panels, engine access hatch and headlight holders made of PVC, on a steel chassis. The chassis of the Sonett II and III has many parts in common with the Saab 96 (suspension, brakes).
Due to market demand, the Sonett III got a gear lever on the floor instead of on the steering column, as in the Sonett II and Saab 96. The pop-up headlights must be operated manually. The Sonett III has the type indicator '97' in the chassis number and has the same Ford Taunus V4 engine as before in the Sonett II and Saab 96, with 1500 cc in 1970 and from the autumn of 1970 (model year 1971) with a 1700 cc. Both engine types have 55 hp (48 kW). The Sonett III accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 13 seconds and has a top speed of 165 km/h, due to a different differential ratio. The drag coefficient is 0.31.
Production was stopped in 1974 due to even stricter emission requirements in the U.S. A total of 10,236 copies of the Saab 97 (Sonett II + III) were made.

Our offer:
A red Sonnet lll from 1972 with brown interior. The chairs are original and a beautiful design. The car is equipped with the rare narrow bumpers and is in good condition. The red color is not original and should be egg yolk. A very rare car and certainly an "eye catcher". With a little work, the car can easily be turned to the original version. Technically in order and for years in the possession of a Saab enthusiast.