Everything That's Wrong (And Weird) With My 1974 Saab Sonett

I recently bought this Saab from what turns out to be the estate of the original owner. While the car is complete and runs and drives, it has been neglected and has quite a pungent odor. Let me show you all the problems and then tell me if I've made a huge mistake.

[@relicman]

It may need some work but you have a kickass car my man! My dad was actually a Saab certified mechanic when he was a kid in the late 70's.

[@BobL56]

Had a ‘74 exactly like this except no a/c in late 70’s early 80’s. Repainted it white. Drove it a few years, one day the battery fell through the floor driving down the road hanging by the cables. Body/interior was perfect but totally rusted out underneath. Was going to fix the rusted floor pan, it ran great until the engine blew going 90 mph down I95, time to let it go. loved that car. This brings back fond memories.

[@vernonbennettiii3646]

Just discovered your video, 3/28/2024 -- man, does this take me back!. I bought a '72 Saab Sonett III in 1976, while I was in college and working at a meat packing plant during the summer, when my new-found wealth was burning a hole in my pocket. Paid $1,100 for it plus $600 for a replacement "free-wheeling" 4-speed manual transmission, to get it running and back on the road. It was a "repo" acquired by a small town bank in Paw Paw, Michigan, and it was stored in a winery warehouse. The car stunk of old wine -- took me almost 2 years to get that smell out of it! I restored it to a pretty decent level, but the ignition never worked with a key. The wiring harness later caught fire and Insurance covered the cost to repair, but it took a year -- the replacement wiring harness and gages (VDO's!) from Sweden sat on the dock in New York for 7 months. Anyway, after I got it back on the road I had a blast with it, but I had to sell it in 1979 while I was working as a CPA, to fund my upcoming law school tuition. I have since owned several (and still do own 2) Jaguar sports cars/GTs, a BMW and a '97 Mazda Miata M Edition (which I got into a Head-on collision with against a Chevy Lumina back in 2000) -- after which I swore off driving little cars in the 21st century -- and I have driven various Porsches, several Aston Martins, various Mercedes SLs/AMGs, etc., but I recall really enjoying driving that little fiberglass-bodied TOTALLY UNSAFE 1972 Saab Sonett III back in the '70's. I had read that guys used to "ice race" these things, but I never, EVER drove mine in the winter (living in Michigan), despite it having front-wheel drive. There was no crash protection in the doors, or anywhere else for that matter. The only "safety" thing I could see (besides seat belts) was the "roll bar" behind the seats, which wrapped around the gas tank that sat directly behind the front passenger compartment. My guess is if that if that thing ever got rear-ended it would blow up like a Ford Pinto! Hope you're still enjoying your Saab Sonett III. Mine was the "Saab Safety Orange" and it had the "Soccer Ball" style Wheels.

[@Pr0fess0rx29]

More SAAB please.

[@thejester2490]

Most likely switched drivers seat for passengers..when drivers got bad.

[@PittDaddy]

I know this is an old video. I owned a very similar 1974 which I bought in 1976. Some things to check. The freewheel mechanism always breaks. I had mine repaired and made sure not to use it again. Also, the wiring harness is Lucas Electric...nuff said. Apparently the gentleman I sold mine to called me about 2 months after I sold it and the harness caught fire. I loved the car. It was probably my favorite car ever. I hope you were able to get it cleaned up and running!

[@jumpspin9872]

I own a sonnet myself and the wiring harness is actually made by saab (you can tell since the wire ends are numbered which was a standard in airplanes). Only some of the relays and components were lucas.

[@Kelly-df6op]

Thanks so much for sharing. Found one that's a project. Going to see if I can get it after seeing this video. Great detailed, honest video. Cool car.

[@reemcreeson3301]

im trying to do the same thing

[@Feniantimmy]

Couple of things: free wheeling xmission...lever on firewall, its operation should be obvious and avoided. The windshield wiper motor will fill up with water. Just drill a tiny hole on the body for it to drain.

[@BR549guy]

Boy, does that bring back memories. If the sprag clutch for the freewheel hasn't been welded up, you want to be REALLY careful using it; Nice concept but it was too small for even the 65 hp. Also, the reason for the plywood in the trunk was because, over time, if the two drain nipples in the floor of the trunk weren't pinched often enough and water would collect there and rust out the bottom. For years, I had used NAPA's tubular glass-pack mufflers with offset inlets and outlets. It really sounded sweet; not loud, but a nice mellow sound like a Triumph motorcycle. The biggest issue I would say was rust, so invest in a needle scaler and spray any exposed metal with phosphoric acid. That will bind with what superficial rust remains and form iron phosphate, which is paintable once dry. The seats and the dashboard were also fiberglass; quite the little stealth car.

[@jumpspin9872]

the freewheel wasn't actually meant for the 65 hp engine it was originally designed for the i3 2 cycle engine of the earlier sonnet II and saab 95/96 which was necessary to prevent engine failure in those 2cycle engines on long downhills since if those engines weren't under throttle they weren't being lubricated.

[@mongofan1]

Wow, great find! Maybe switched the seats, moving the worn driver's seat to the passenger side. Very bizarre, the seat belts. I wonder if that is even correct. Grew up with Saabs in the sixties and I don't remember seat belts not having a clip.

[@Jaxs2]

Nice , lovely find especially with them wheels 👌 great history I like a lot 👍

[@jumpspin9872]

I just finished with the restoration of my saab sonnet and this car is honestly in reasonable shape for a sonnet. Also the taillight bulbs might still be good the housing itself can sometimes need work since the little lever that pushes on the bulb can ware out. Also your rocker panels are likely rusted out since the jack point is all messed up.

[@dannyarquitt160]

Excellent find!

[@Dixler683]

The “tube” coolant reservoir is a structural part of the car. It stiffens the front end.

[@TheJosesantiago123]

Super cool car. It looks similar to Datsun B210 but cooler. I love everything about it.

[@RDEnduro]

That is sweet! Enjoy it, havn't seen one of these outside of a car show

[@MJCLAXDEN]

Chris, I sent you an email. I have two Saab Sonett IIIs. I have some resources I can share with you. The wheel type is called a "soccer ball" wheel -- quite sought after!

[@SparkRight]

I just bought one as well id love some resources if you have them

[@Bengan99]

Good Luck!

[@Tacosmix]

Great buy!

[@stevenhess9502]

Get it right, man! It's not a sonnet, it's a Soh-nett! 😄

[@jimmarcellus759]

I had one. Same color. Same year. Super fuel economy and a kick to drive.

[@browserrr1]

You have the airco equipment but do you also have the compressor? If not best to replace it with a modern type, the old type took quite a lot of power from the not too many standard 65 horses.

[@JesseValentine]

I loved driving my '71, it was too bad it was a nightmare to get parts for.

[@raceday-iy7vm]

I just bought me one will see how it goes 😅

[@williamdecker1175]

Hi believe that the wire in the seat is for the seat heater...yes, SAAB pioneered that.

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

I had no idea. Thanks for the tip.

[@vwestlife]

Actually it's for the seatbelt ignition interlock. In 1974 new cars in the U.S. were required to have a sensor in the passenger seat that detected if someone was sitting in it and refused to let the driver start the engine if the passenger didn't have their seatbelt buckled. (The driver was required to buckle their seatbelt to start the engine, too.) This system was so hated that it only lasted for one year and dealers were allowed to bypass it.

[@paddy696]

I'd 2 new 96's 72 + 74 also many 2nd hand. Freewheel I used lots, don't understand the problems. I'm now Penang Island Malaysia. SAAB's scarcer than hens teeth. A 9000 and 9-5 seen perhaps once a year. Keep safe always SAAB's 4Ever! 😂

[@jpkatz1435]

Love the inthusiam, and the Viagra comment.. Next car a Trabant?

[@KidMillions]

I love it. Let me know if you want to get rid of it.

[@KristerRehn]

The passenger had a steelcomb in the backpocket...One time is enough...

[@Lemondoes]

How tall are you?

[@ursusskandia]

Those are the correct bumpers.

[@Tinker-nn4yy]

How much is that car worth? reason being my dad has one but it hasn't run in over 45 years. Its been taking up space in the garage for over 46 years. My dad insists that it was running when I was born but I don't actually believe him. He used to insist that he would get it running one day but I might be able to make my mom happy if I can convince him to sell it off as salvage. He's 76 years old now. That car ain't never gonna run. And... I'm watching these videos for the car. I can't, for the life of me, see what my dad ever saw in that car. And last thing. I saw the Ohio plates. The car is in Medina, Ohio that light in the glove box was a "pen light". My grandma had one 40 years ago.

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

They're not worth much. Fully restored in the high teens. And the cost to restore them is prohibitive since parts are basically nonexistent. But, its still a neat car just to get running and drive around.

[@Tinker-nn4yy]

@@ChrisClarkeFly Thank you. I don't think many are worth anything. All that vinyl and probably the fiberglass just seems to break down over time. I have no idea how anyone would go about restoring it either unless they could remake things like the seats from scratch. I'll tell my dad. He has an older model still, one with the rounded permanent headlights and the bubble glass trunk.

[@Tinker-nn4yy]

That glass might be worth more than the car.

[@raywest3834]

Wonderfully optimistic and amusing review of a junker that was a dreadful car even when brand new.

[@Jaxs2]

Well that's just charming that is 🤭

[@davewsh8434]

aux means Auxillary lights

[@juanm2188]

So what have you done to the Sonett over the last 15 months?

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

I’ve put about 1,000 miles on it but now it’s ready for the brake system to be rebuilt. That will probably happen this fall or winter.

[@bobdefalco]

Hey, you're Ohio! I live outside of Columbus.

[@pclayton5063]

Interesting video but your hand flying around pointing at things is unnecessary and distracting. Most of us know what you're talking about without pointing at it.

[@Artoconnell]

65 hp. set it on fire.