Beautiful Original 1971 Saab Sonett III - Walkaround & Short Drive

[@thomasward00]

I have always loved Saab, from childhood

[@aravindravi6845]

Original paint!? Wow that's crazy man Beautiful car you have

[@MrDjh66]

Love these

[@davidedgar2818]

My dad bought one new same color . When he converted it from 2 to 3 at the dealer the difference was huge. The handling was excellent and it could eat up any Corvette of its time. Thanks for refreshing the memory.

[@andrewmoses1]

Omg I love it. Thx for introducing me to another car to dream of driving!

[@RIPLinkTTV]

I hope she becomes your daily! She's a beaut of a car and I'm really happy for ya!

[@drutagliapietra8695]

She's looking good!

[@DamianTaylor-b3m]

The engine is actually a Ford V4 essex,

[@robotcantina8957]

Wow, I have never seen one of these in original condition. I often wondered what a new one would look like. Yours may not be new, but its in remarkable condition even with all the flaws. Thanks for making the video!

[@NomadicBristolview]

Looks so much better without the big rubber USA bumpers (required for import into the USA).

[@NomadicBristolview]

Have one, bad clutch. Would love to talk with you about how you fixed yours.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

A beauty, love em. I am partial to the earliest versions with the hand laid fiberglass, not so much the Shrike (2 stroke) motor. You scored.

[@mickyburkett4465]

Very nice, I have a 1974 and 2 1973s the 73s are parts cars but the 74 is green also and 70k miles I've had for 40 some years it had 30k on it when I got it but really haven't driven it much for the last 30+ years, been stored inside. anxious to restore it. Got stop by the Missouri HP once who thought it was a 240Z. fun to have something most people haven't heard of or seen.

[@jorgarlinghaus3737]

you have a very nice car, respect! My Saab Sonnet is red. I'd prefer it to be a pretty color like yours. Greetings from Germany from Jörg.

[@gaufrid1956]

Being a1971 Sonnett III, it's certainly a 1500 cc V4 Ford engine, called the Essex in the UK, and Cologne in Germany. Interestingly, it was exactly the same engine as that fitted to SAAB 96 sedan and wagon. In SAAB model numbering tradition, the Sonnett is sometimes referred to as the SAAB 97. I understand that it was the first four stroke engine used in SAAB cars. Before that, they were all two strokes, and required a mix of oil and gasoline at each refill, just like a lawnmower.

[@Gonzomaus]

Beautiful car! 71’ model is tricky. The 1970 model only came with the 1.5l engine and 1972-74 were only 1.7l. A 1971 could be either. Both engines are actually built on the same block, just with different cam shaft and pistons for the 1.7l. I don’t know of you can tell them apart by the color on the valve covers..

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I started reading about those Ford 1.7L V4 engines....I think it went up to 1.7L being the largest displacement made. It said even years ago the modded for racing Ford 1.7 V4 version could push around 200hp.

[@sacosh]

Nice, I just got a 73 model. Do you have any dimensions of the aux lights as my car has never had them. I ordered the plastic buckets to hold them but have no idea what lights to instal. Am in europe too so makes it more difficult--

[@browserrr1]

The wiper arms have switched place but it actually looks better.

[@samstermotorized]

Yeah, I've noticed that and I agree!

[@NCmtnDweller]

Someone probably had one of those UGLY third brake light mounted in rear where leather is a different color !!!!

[@Dixler683]

Not leather, never was leather and leather was not an option. Does your Sprague free-wheel work?

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Their Vinyl was called SKYE Leather.

[@Dixler683]

@@jeffhildreth9244 I purchased a brand new 1974 Sonnet in 1975. Had all the sales brochures , owners manual etc. I do not recall any mention of skye leather. The manual did mention how to clean the vinyl surfaces though. Just because I do not remember it does not mean it wasn’t called skye leather. Maybe it was. I sold mine around the year 2008 with 9280 original miles. I loved SAABS but the 97 was an awful car. It sat garaged most of the time. Back to the original question: does your free-wheel work?

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@Dixler683 I worked for a SAAB /Volvo dealership in Monterey (actually Seaside next to Monterey). The owner was Ole Andersson. He was a champion Motorcycle and Car racer back in Sweden. He also built and raced SAABS and VOLVOS in SCCA, (I believe D sedan). and a pioneer racer in BAJA Caif Mexcio racing. He always referred to the vinyl as being SKYE leather; presumably because of the manufacturing source in Sweden.

[@Dixler683]

@@jeffhildreth9244 …..FREE…..WHEEL…..WORK? check a box. [yes]…..[no].