Makes › Saab › Sonett › Sonett III · Rare production · 1970–1974 Limited Production
Saab
Sonett III
Restyled V4 Sonett sports coupé for the US market
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 8,368 Built
- Years
- 1970–1974
- Engine
- 60-degree V4, Ford Taunus, front engine · 1,698 cc / 1.7 LFactory: 1,698 cc
- Power
- 48.5 kW / 65.9 PSFactory: 65 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 165 km/hFactory: 165 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Sergio Coggiola, adapted by Gunnar A. Sjogren
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Sonett III was the restyled final generation of the Saab sports coupe, aimed mainly at US buyers and by far the most numerous Sonett. It ended in 1974 because meeting new US safety and emission rules would have cost too much.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Saab Sonett III (Wikimedia Commons: Saab Sonett III)
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Saab Sonett III (Wikimedia Commons: Saab Sonett III)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Saab Sonett III (Wikimedia Commons: Saab Sonett III)
Photo: Michel Curi · CC BY 2.0
Saab Sonett III (Wikimedia Commons: Saab Sonett III)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionSonett IIIs made | 8,3681,2 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
After two years of criticism of the Sonett II lines, Saab asked Italian stylist Sergio Coggiola to restyle it. He could not change the complicated centre section, and Saab designer Gunnar A. Sjogren adapted his proposal. The Sonett III was unveiled in spring 1970, with a small engine hatch instead of the full tip-up bonnet, a larger boot opened through the glass tailgate, manually raised pop-up headlights and a floor shifter.
Only about 500 were built in 1970, the Heritage Car Museum USA says, and production ended in late 1974 after 8,368 cars.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Sonett III.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | 60-degree V4, Ford Taunus, front engine3 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 1,698 cc / 1.7 LFactory: 1,698 cc1 Independently researched1.5 L in 1970 and early 1971 cars; Silodrome says the 1.7 L came for US cars from fall 1970, conceptcarz says for 1971 to 1974 models. |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 48.5 kW / 65.9 PSFactory: 65 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | front3 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | front discs, rear drums3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 770 kgFactory: 770 kg3 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 165 km/hFactory: 165 km/h1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 13 s3 Independently researched |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
For Sale: A 1971 Saab Sonett III - Sweden's Strangely Brilliant V4 Coupe Level B Silodrome · 2026-09-20
- after 8,368 Sonett IIIs
- larger 1.7 liter (1,698 cc) version of the V4
- output stayed at 65 bhp but torque was improved
- Top speed was 103 mph (165 km/h)
-
2
Cars That Time Forgot: Saab Sonett III – Hagerty UK Level B
- 8368 Sonett IIIs made
-
3
1974 Saab Sonett III Level B conceptcarz.com
- overhead-valve four-stroke 60-degree V-4 German Ford engine
- four-speed manual gearbox
- front-engine and front-wheel drive configurations
- Disc brakes were in the front with drums at the rear
- weighed only 770 kgs
- reach 0 to 100 km/h in 13 seconds
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