Before the Chinese, before the bankruptcy and the rebadged GMs, Saab used to be a unique car brand with heritage unlike any other. It was spun off from an aeronautical and defense company founded in 1937 which made bombers during the war. This is the story of one of the most unique cars they ever made and a family who stuck with it for two generations.
Like many Saabs, the Sonett has a streamlined and lightweight design. It's so different to what America was making at the time that you just can't help but be curious about it.
The Sonett II is a child of the 60s, developed based on the MFI13 prototype created by Malmo Flygindstri. As far as we know, only 29 of these cars were built in 1966 with a three cylinder two-stroke engines. The next year, production switched to a Ford Taurus V4 engine.
Mechanically, they are based on the famous Saab 96, but a lightweight fiberglass body is used. Powering the Sonnet II is an 841cc two-stroke engine rated at 60 horsepower. Back in the day, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) took 12,5 seconds while the top speed was 150 km/h (93 mph).
Mr. Glenn Roberts, the current owner of the car, was raised by his Australian parents with this car. Built to special order and bought from a Florida Saab car dealer, it's what got him through collage. After being completely restored in 2004, the Sonett II now enjoys its days on the road and on our computer screens, thanks to a special video from Petrolicious.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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