Saab Sonett is a Two-Stroke Heirloom

Few Americans think twice nowadays about buying a foreign-branded car, whether from Europe or Asia. Toyota is the biggest selling marque in the world and Volvo long ago captured the hearts of safety-conscious soccer moms. In the 1960s, however, Japan was an anthill on the automotive landscape and a car-buyer in America needed either a few extra dollars or a touch of eccentricity to cruise around town in a European car -- unless, that is, they happened to be the Roberts family of northern Florida, USA.
Mr. Glenn Roberts was born to Australian parents who spent their youth driving an eclectic mix of cars around Sydney and Hong Kong and who thus saw no reason to change their habits when they settled in Florida in the 1950s. In 1967, they special-ordered a silver Saab Sonett II from a Florida dealer and, as a result, Glenn spent his childhood riding to school not in Detroit's muscle cars of the 1960s and '70s but in a 1500-pound Swedish sports car with a 70 horsepower, two-stroke engine.
The Sonett has followed Glenn through life. In 1980, when he was eighteen years old, Glenn bought the car from his parents for $300 and, with the help of his father, gave the car enough energy to carry Glenn through college and into adulthood. In 2004, Glenn rewarded the car for its loyalty with a full restoration, after which he gave it back to his parents to enjoy when he moved to Australia for work. Now back in Glenn's California garage, the Sonnet gets plenty of time along the coast and through the canyons.
Even on today's American streets-filled with cars of all shapes, sizes, and nationalities-Glenn's Sonnet still draws plenty of puzzled looks, which suits Glenn just fine.
"It's part of my passion," says Glenn. "I look for the odd stuff."
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@penguinworks]

Six minutes ago I didn't know this car existed. Now I'm wondering how to live without owning one...

[@maximusminimus1346]

+penguinworks totally agree- kind of a closet secret car that will turn heads

[@Hole_Motorsports]

+penguinworks I feel that second part after every video they make.

[@widsquard]

1. Eat 2. Drink 3. Get sun 4. Breath 5. Sleep 6. Drive another car 7. I hope this tutorial to living has helped!

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

Seanita Booner WTF?

[@estieswaqqy7786]

I have never felt a comment so close to my heart

[@bruceturk217]

Fantastic car and a beautiful restoration. It's a shame Saab didn't make more of these, with production at a mere 258.

[@dunngh]

Bruce Turk Do you know how many of those made it to the US? Also, what a pleasant surprise to see the northeast Saab expert in the youtube comments.

[@bruceturk217]

Robert Dunn Almost 100% of the Two stroke Sonett's were shipped to the USA. Today more than half have found their way back out of the country-- many back to Sweden.

[@LordArnie]

Mine - and many others - became ice racers. With the size of tires and front wheel they were very popular in Michigan - could beat anything American made.

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Absolutely gorgeous car made even better by that unusual 2 stroke powerplant that did so well for Saab in it's rally cars of the time. It's lovely to have such a great provenance with this car and hopefully the next generation will continue to cherish it (and it's pal in the garage) in due course.

[@t1mpetti]

One of the most beautiful Saab's built. The last try to get the two stroke going for them, a light, small and nimble gentlemans sports car. Ignored by many, but the ones who know the history of Saab and sports cars of that era, will appreciate it. Not too many of them left, this one is a real gem. Happy for you, Glenn.

[@Minnevan]

It’s like a Swede’s take on a 911. Beautiful car.

[@johanhaugthon2711]

As a Swedish car guy growing up with Saab 900's 9000 and so on, the Sonnet is that mythical unicorn that you never see (even in its home country Sweden). But you hear of people owning them and loving them. Fantastic!

[@mcstaal]

The 70 hp doesn't make it a sportscar but 600 kg does.

[@randomclipsthings1751]

do think this bulit 2016

[@jean-francois6580]

light is right......

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

My early 1966 Mini, with 70 hp was also fun, without a sticker telling about its engine size.

[@morreracingteam6004]

I also love idea having very light car with tiny engine like Toyota 800 sport 800cc flat two engine making all 44hp but because weight 570kg that thing flyes 😁 or subaru 360 young ss 415kg with 36hp two stroke 360cc engine. Thats something sadly isnt made anymore, everything is heavy and bulky.

[@michaelcornett444]

I saw a picture of one once as a teen and fell in love. It was the early 80s and all the other guys wanted Camaros or Trans Ams or what have you...I wanted a snappy little foreign job that you didn't see every day. Still wish I could afford one.

[@LordArnie]

ooh - column shifter (4 speed) was never an issue - best car I ever owned. NOTHING handled like a Sonnett - Saab racing trany, true rack & pinion steering... I owned #247 - sold it for a 1991 Miata (still have it), but not a day goes by that I don't miss my Sonnett.

[@jeffrey-f]

I hope you find it again

[@LordArnie]

@@jeffrey-f believe it or not, I keep looking…. Monitor every board I know about. Would happily sell my 1979 RX-7 and 1991 Miata to drive that Sonnet again.

[@yakovendelman7659]

@@LordArnie You got a nice taste in cars lady

[@tedyurkon7714]

Love it, love it, love it! Even though it's a Sonett, not a sonnet, that ringing 2-stroke is a beautifal sort of musical sonnet to my ears.

[@TheJbh222]

The exhaust note is pure magic ! Some of the sidecar racers here ( Ireland ), in the 70's used the Wartburg engine, and with the expansion pipes fitted, the sound of those 3 cylinders at full song was unforgettably sublime.

[@markwilson9624]

Coming from Melbourne Florida, it's really cool to see a car like this from my hometown.

[@79porsche911sc]

As a child my mom had a Saab 93 with a 2 stroke engine. I still love the sound & smell of any two stroke engine till this day. Very cool car & story, thanks for sharing and nice production really!

[@FireflyActual]

What a lovely little car. Saabs from this period are a lot like Lancias in a way that they're completely different to all the other cars out there. I'd love to own one.

[@cutl00senc]

My dad owned one of these when I was a kid. He auto-crossed it and won several times. He owned probably 100 cars during his lifetime, and his father owned 40-50 as well. Needless to say, there’s not many cars that I haven’t seen or read about or heard of. This Saab is one of those cars you never forget, even if you never got a chance to drive it. Rip Dad and Grandpa

[@revolutionday1]

I remember there being one of these cars -which was probably a 70's model- indefinitely broken down in the local Autozone parking lot, a couple of years ago now, and it absolutely blew my mind to see it. I have not seen one "in the flesh" as it were, since.

[@winstonelston5743]

That sound is iconic, nothing else sounds like a 2-stroke SAAB.

[@oscarpark1523]

Just for the driving experience and the conversation piece.. Not a fan of four on the tree but that's part of it too.. Just wow

[@AhnkoCheeOutdoors]

I remember these 2-stroke Saabs from my childhood. My older brother brought home a Saab brochure from the one dealer in the state in Honolulu. I thought the whole Saab line were the strangest looking cars, and I instantly fell in love with them. I prefer the oldie 2-strokes and the later V-4 4-stroke Ford powered Saabs over the later more modern looking models.

[@XoVoX]

I love everything you guys put out, but I especially love seeing cars like this which are on my "would love to own" list! Thanks again for the excellence Petrolicious

[@beegee22]

Didn't know about this car. I knew Saab two strokers fro,m many years ago when a friend had one in high school. This little one has a beautiful silhouette.

[@uski59]

Awesome car,......never knew there was a 2 stroke engine for an auto. Beautiful real wood dash, nice touch. love to have drive.

[@sillydillydokieo]

best youtube channel of all time.

[@entropy2002]

A good friend when I was attending U of Central Florida (FTU back then) had a yellow Sonett 2 or 3 years newer. His had a 4-stroke V-4. What a blast!

[@SeattleSoulFan]

Utterly cool! I think they made only 277 of these. 30-odd years ago I knew a Saab mechanic in Los Angeles who owned two of them, and one was his wife's daily driver.

[@notoymotor4me64]

First time seeing this. I am so jealous. I had chassis #19 that I had wanted to restore. I was young at the time and did not realize how expensive that would be. The guy that bought it finally did restore it. And I see another Sonnet in the background. Damm!

[@aircooledtx]

Watch one of these at Bonneville 1967~ It ran great. I burn't up my back/shoulders ..

[@DarkKnightwing75]

My dad has a Saab 96 Sport which has the same engine and it may not be quick but with that brilliant noise, you feel like your doing 140. To me it kind of sounds like an old Ferrari at high speed, I just love it.

[@frank09busa]

She is so beautiful and unique looking. I feel as though, I'm falling in love with automobiles all over again. Thank you for uploading

[@jkmsaturn]

Though it sounded like a lawn tractor when it started up, Saab always made wonderfully thought out vehicles. Endearing, quirky & always willing . . . the kind of vehicle you never forget!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Bravo Petrolicious! A completely fantastic documentation again! Thanks a lot for making, uploading/sharing.

[@94jrose]

Beautiful cars I always thought they weren't well respected in the car collecting culture.

[@africaidentify]

Petrolicious! Petrolicious!! I say again, Petrolicious!!! What can I say, these guys films are just The stuff!!! Such totally beautiful stories. Waiting patiently for the next film.

[@stimpy510]

I was a little surprised how much HP that little guy makes. Must be relatively high up in the rev range though but I'd love to try it!

[@DStabs720]

Very cool and interesting car. Thanks for sharing, Glenn!

[@majesticpaint161]

Love your car beautiful, as regards to whether a 2 stroke can start on first turn actually very common my dirt bike always started on the first kick

[@deamarus9005]

Very interesting, it sounds a lot more civilized in the cabin than I would have thought. The access to the hatch compartment is also very interesting, it allows for smooth lines around the rear hatch. Forward flipping bonnet reminds me of the 240Zs which are from around the same time.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Excellent video, superb car. In 65/66 I worked at Scandia Motors in Seaside Calif (Monterey Peninsula) This was a SAAB/VOLVO dealership owned by Ole Andersson of Sweden. He was a former rally, road race and ice racer with SAABS and VOLVOS. He also ice raced motorcycles. In the US he raced two stroke SAABS , I believe in D sedan class at such tracks as Laguna Seca. He also raced Baja. He built all the cars in the shop where I was privileged to work on them. He also raced a SAAB factory built open wheel car. The ;last time I saw it and spoke with Ole was at Laguna Seca. Though he did not race the Sonett, he drove one as a "demo". Ole introduced me to Aqva Vit. ! RIP Ole. If I am not mistaken some of the early2 stroke Sonetts were all white and the fiberglass bodies were "hand laid" and later sprayed glass. Is this correct? I bought one of Ole's 2 stroke race cars and streeterized it. It was a 93 with a Monte Carlo engine and highly tweaked Full roll cage, Koni adjustable shocks, Goodyear Blue Streaks and a custom exhaust. It screamed. Porsche killer. Too hot for the street so I sold it. Wish I had not. I am still miffed I did not buy a Sonett when they were cheap and misunderstood. The only ones I see now are abandoned trash. What a shame, a fantastic car.

[@patchipatchi1]

If I could like your videos more than once I would. Keep them coming Petrolicious, great job!

[@05gtdriver]

I've driven and heard of "three on a tree", but the "four on a tree" is something very cool and trippy. Nice little old-ball car, keep them coming Petrolicious :)

[@BubbaSmurft]

I've driven Mercedes-Benz 4 on the tree, I'm sure there are others.

[@lowellmccormick6991]

My 1968 Peugeot 404 had a 4-speed on the column.

[@CaptHollister]

BubbaSmurft Citroen DS had a four-speed column shifter

[@Terraceview]

+05gtdriver mY OLD tOYO TRUCK HAS 5 ON A TREE.

[@5610winston]

DKW, BMW, Borgward, Fiat, Panhard, Opel, Renault, even some US-built Ford Econoline vans and pick-ups had the column-shift Dagenham four-speed, and let's not forget 4-speed Bernie's '61 Ford with the 401-horsepower 390.

[@dragon8897]

I always look forward your video once a week,, they are well done and very easy to look at,, BRAVO!!!!!!!

[@nailsarecruel]

Great presentation. Never knew this car existed before today. Thanks for sharing.

[@5610winston]

Looks as cool as it sounds! The Swedish Corvette!

[@infidel900rr]

great video, this channel always leaves a smile

[@MrGrenadeMcBoom]

What a neat little car.

[@MrRexquando]

Great video! I really like the production values, etc.

[@TheMainMan318]

love that rear end

[@tmh44]

Cool car and a great story--keep us the awesome work y'all!

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

my own Saab story later became a 'sob-story'. Id bought a cream puff of a Sonett, V-4,absolutely a gem. Sadly it was lost in a horrible fast burn total. I had parked the yellow beauty on a severe slope one evening after filling the petrol tank. Evidently a slight leak from the tank,perhaps thru a deteriorated fuel line allowed fumes to gather along the door/floor pan resulting in a gigantic explosion . A warm California full moon evening got me loading the car to do a camp out under the stars in Big Sur,and I'd already loaded the rear boot with sleeping bag and wonderful gift quilt a good friend had gifted me on my birthday in Feb. . So I'd have a candle at camp, i made the last walk with gear to the car with a lit candle in my hand.. opened the door and placed the candle(burning!!) upon the floor under the steering wheel.. fully 2/3'rd in the seat.. a bit of me still out (my feet basically). When the interior exploded in a huge fire ball.. literally blowing me out of the car and into the street.. with not enough garden hose to reach the car.. I was forced to do nothing but watch everything melt down in front of my eyes

[@bayvanman]

Once again. Thank you.

[@tubeengineer]

I love this, really unique and with history too. Beautiful!

[@ikra]

This channel just makes me more inspired to fix up my car and hopefully one day appear here :)

[@paulevo511]

What a beautiful car! Very jealous....Good onya mate from Australia.

[@SirRoxo]

Oh swoon

[@MrCansitoman]

Beautiful! Done it again

[@karljokkerlukkas_974]

BEAUTIFUL SAAB

[@Axilur]

What a lucky guy.

[@gini413]

thank you for sharing and I bet the 70hp gets you down the road just about right with that light framed coachwork, I spent a lot of time in my life with 4cv's , 850 fiats and such so I can understand... hope u can continue to enjoy that car!

[@DougCameraMan]

Great story and car.

[@ronarmstrong835]

If only cars like this were built TODAY>

[@Dragunov302]

Sounds amazing!!!! Neat quirky car

[@RioZLander]

trabuco canyon where parts of this film takes place at is the roads i learned how to drive on. i have also seen this little car once or twice. very glad to see a story about it. awesome story awesome film and i will say. that canyon is so so so much fun to drive in

[@dfpguitar]

stunning look it has! someone would do well to make a replica but put an electric motor in it. A vehicle this light with a modern electric drivetrain would really rip, but in a a way befitting it's unusualness.

[@andrewb.5996]

What a beast! Love it.

[@szlaeyer22]

Feature Amsie, from Amsies's Corner, and his Sonett.

[@ryoungatlmidotnet]

If this is not the nicest Sonett in existence, it's in the top 5. The fiberglass body is straight and true, the panel is in great shape, it sounds like it runs very well, sweet! The 2 strokes look a lot better from the front than the V-4 Ford powered cars, and MUCH better from all angles than the last series.

[@GT-gt4bf]

What a weird little thing(in a good way), love it.

[@ArmathuX]

amazing Sonett and story, long live 2-smokers

[@ryguy522]

Nothing like the sound of a 2 stroke saab

[@TheIDGE]

I know a guy with 2 body shells Sonett in his garage. I had never heard of them and from the look of his wouldn't have known how cool they were. Kind of want to see if he'll sell one now...

[@williamsporing1500]

I had a sonnet II in baby puke orange……great little car. Had the habit of picking up a wheel in turns because the engine was in front of the axle. Traded it even for a lotus Europa

[@nicholasersons]

what a great looking car

[@DanielLoveReel]

Very nice. This guy seems like he has his priorities straight.

[@kennethj1956]

Where is our new video for the week? We love them and need them!

[@philsmgb4393]

I know, right?

[@SpudEater]

I found a yellow one in my area that needs work for $4k, good investment? I'm not too sure but I'll be damned if I didn't fall in love once I saw the yellow exterior.

[@azteczulu1]

Quirky car. Looks like fun to drive.

[@theraildynasty_]

That's a 2 stroke V4 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[@svtirefire]

Uh... No

[@xeonlyfe]

This quality in 2014 is amazing.

[@Endureromex]

Lástima que echaron a perder a Saab, eran autos muy especiales

[@paddy696]

Sad yes very sad. GM Bean Counters/Asset Strippers ugly people! 😢

[@aye3678]

Lovely car!

[@AspearMotorSports]

Long live two strokes!

[@cpjones1989]

Beautifull!

[@danmoreton1788]

I bought a 67 Sontte in 1976 for $400. I drove it from the dealer onto a NYS Thruway. A few minutes later I got off at an exit and thought I would down shift and hug the corner. What a mistake! I almost crashed! I went back to the deal and pulled into the garage and complained about the piece of junk they sold me! I couldn't believe all these mechanics were laughing at me. Then the boss came over and said don't mind them they are just funning you. He walked over to the car and opened the door and reached under the dashboard and pulled out the hand. He said now the car will run like a regular standard shift!! I never hear of the freewheel feature of a Saab. That day began my love affair with my Saab. Oh, by the way I drove my Saab during the Blizzard of 77 in Buffalo New York. I got stuck once and 10 guys lifted the car out of the snow and I was on my way!! I miss my Saab....

[@indyjones1135]

Love these, the s 1 2 and 3

[@RickCosmo]

great vid of a cool car

[@82chegue]

It sounds like a Kawa Mach III! :D

[@99somerville]

Only ever saw a few of these on the road. They may have been later versions. Did they ever go to a four stroke? Does any one know what the oil consumption was like? The built in roll bar is very cool.

[@gregorytimmons4777]

My Biology teacher in high school had a brand new (I think) white one. This bodystyle. The Sonnett I. It may not have been a 2 stroke. Unless they never built any with V4's.

[@frayos]

serious question, did this car make it up modjeska grade rd without any problems?

[@Willber14]

Very cool.

[@agentumsilwersilwer5310]

seems to be an red V4 Sonnet in the background.

[@rkaratekidpt]

Quick Question: does anyone know the song in the end?

[@terroristiristo]

My friend notised that when i linked this video to him that you got the model wrong. It's "Sonett" not "Sonnet" :)

[@WadeMcLure]

My dad used to have one of these in lime green... Wonder what ever happened to that car :-/

[@Patrick.Weightman]

Good lookin car, goddamn

[@poucxs9246]

The wooden dash-board :-D

[@Joakimgustafssons]

love it

[@nkhalmizahar]

its not about bhp but its about power to weight ratio.

[@MrInternetDude]

want one in London so bad!

[@HunterShows]

He has two of them??

[@acemechanical275]

These were popular for ice racing.