Saab created the Sonett II to compete with small British and Italian sports cars. Launched in 1966, it featured a lightweight fiberglass body on a steel chassis and was initially powered by a 60 hp, three-cylinder two-stroke engine. Only 258 of these early cars were built before Saab switched to a Ford-sourced V4 engine in late 1967 to meet US emissions standards. This change created the Sonett V4, easily identified by its prominent hood bulge needed to clear the taller engine.
Collectors are drawn to the Sonett for its eccentric design and unconventional front-wheel-drive layout. The two-stroke models are rarer and represent the original vision, often carrying a price premium. The V4-powered cars are more common, more powerful, and easier to maintain, making them a more practical choice for regular driving. The driving experience is unlike anything else from the era, offering a distinct alternative to mainstream sports cars.
The Sonett market is accessible, with an average sale price around $13,500. The best examples, particularly the rare two-stroke models, can sell for over $30,000. Driver-quality V4s are plentiful in the $10,000 to $20,000 range, but buyers should be cautious of cheap project cars. The low end of the market often consists of vehicles with significant hidden chassis rust beneath their clean-looking fiberglass bodies.
Buying Tips
- The steel chassis is the car's biggest weakness. Inspect the floor pans, outriggers, and suspension mounting points for rust, as the fiberglass body can hide terminal corrosion.
- Decide between the rare 2-stroke triple and the more common Ford V4. The V4 is torquier and easier to live with, while the 2-stroke offers a unique, high-revving experience but requires oil pre-mixing.
- Examine the fiberglass body for stress cracks, especially around the doors and hood hinges. Poorly repaired accident damage can be difficult and costly to fix properly.
- Body-specific trim, bumpers, and glass are extremely hard to find. Prioritize buying the most complete car you can afford, as sourcing missing parts can be a major challenge.
- The freewheel mechanism, a unique Saab feature, can be a point of failure. On a test drive, make sure it engages and disengages correctly.
Based on recent sales, prices range from $650 for project cars to $36,500 for concours-level examples.
26 Saab Sonett II/V4 vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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