1972 Saab Sonett

1972 Saab Sonett III

I have owned this car since 2009. It was treated to a nearly full mechanical restoration in 2011 / 2012 by one of the few shops in the US that has the necessary rebuild experience for V4 Saabs. Virtually everything in the engine compartment has been rebuilt or replaced. The engine was rebuilt with big valve heads, F-4 torque cams and a dual barrel Weber carburetor. The engine block was re-bored with new pistons and balanced. Less than 3,000 miles on the new engine, with the odometer reset when the rebuild was completed. Transmission, brakes, clutch, hydraulics and the front suspension were rebuilt. Additional improvements such as headers, a front roll bar from a model 96, a Pertronix electronic ignition, full front suspension rebuild, radiator recore, foglight installation, manual reverse gear lockout, windshield wiper rebuild, fiberglass bumperettes and an access door for the clutch and brake hydraulics were added.

The exterior red paint applied over the original yellow, as well as the sunroof, vinyl interior and seat fabric were completed before my ownership. The exterior paint was not a premium job and there are a number of small chips and cracks present, most of which are on, underor around the front grill area and bonnet, some of which can be seen in the photographs. The car still looks very good from 10 feet away however.

The door panels and the area along the sides and back of the rear hatch were redone in a “hide” colored vinyl, similar to stock. The carpet was replaced on the floor, as well as over the gas tank section behind the seats. There is a small fiberglass repair just under the left end of the rear bumperette. There is wear that is readily apparent in the fabric on the drivers’ seat. The car is very nearly rust free, with only a few inch section on the underside of the sheet metal directly below the brake and clutch hydraulic fluid reservoirs. The sheet metal was repaired on the inside / upper section during the rebuild.

Mechanically, the car is fast, responsive and handles very well. There is a slight whine in third gear at higher revs, although the transmission was fully rebuilt Shims were used to raise the rear end a half inch to support the wider than stock 195-15” radial tires. Electrically, everything works with the exception of the speedometer (the odometers both work) and the horn. The horn should be an easy fix, and the Speedometer can be rebuilt.

There are very few of these cars in this mechanical condition that are available for sale during a given year. I am very interested in communicating directly with bidders in greater detail about the car,prior to the close of auction. Further documentation on the rebuild can also be provided.