1973 Saab Sonett III
Swedish engineering met Italian styling flair in this distinctive fiberglass sports car that represented Saab’s final attempt at an affordable two-seater.
The 1970 redesign, initially given to Italian automobile designer Sergio Coggiola, was ultimately refined by Saab’s own Gunnar A. Sjögren to fit the existing Sonett II chassis without expensive manufacturing changes.
The sleek bodywork featured fashionable pop-up headlights and a practical rear hatch, riding on the proven Saab 96 floorpan that kept development costs manageable. Its Italian-inspired design and floor-mounted shifter distinguished it from other European roadsters of the era.
Power came from a 1.7-liter Ford V4 engine producing 65 horsepower, transmitted to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.
Despite modest power, the lightweight construction allowed 0-60 mph acceleration in about 13 seconds, with a top speed of 103 mph (165 km/h). Weighing approximately 1,940 pounds (880 kg), the car offered surprisingly engaging driving dynamics.
Disappointing sales, especially during the 1973 oil crisis, led Saab to end production in 1974 after manufacturing just 8,368 examples, making this Swedish sports car quite rare today.
Source
