Vehicle Description
Spectacular restoration by marque experts. Numerous upgrades,
including Holley Sniper EFI, disc brakes, and Ronal/Saab wheels.
Highly detailed, beautifully finished, correct interior, and very
fast. Quite likely the finest Saab Sonett III in the world!Built
over the course of about five years, the goal with this Saab Sonett
III was to create the best possible example of Saab's funky
front-wheel-drive sports car. Starting with a clean car in pieces,
this car was rebuilt from the ground up to become the spectacular
example you see today. Working with noted Saab racer and engineer
Ray Longhitano and Sonett expert Jack Lawrence, the best parts were
sourced along with numerous upgrades to the engine, suspension, and
brakes. The original fiberglass bodywork was in good condition, but
it was completely repainted in bright yellow, and today the gaps
are exacting and the whole car fits together beautifully?probably
better than new. Under the skin, the steel monocoque was repaired
as needed with a few new patches professionally welded into place,
but no major surgery was required?this wasn't your typical Sonett
rust bucket. We have restoration photos showing it stripped to a
bare shell, so the restoration was incredibly thorough. Correct
trim, emblems, and new weather seals were installed to give the
Sonett a like-new look and feel. The headlight linkage and bushings
were rebuilt, there's a new windshield up front, and new stainless
inserts were fitted to the original bumpers. Under the skin, a few
subtle reinforcements were welded into place, replicating
modifications Ray used when he was racing Sonetts in the 1970s. The
finished product is extremely impressive.The interior was likewise
restored to mostly stock condition with a few choice upgrades.
Dynamat was used throughout the interior to control noise and heat,
and virtually everything inside the car is new. The seats and door
cards were upholstered in correct corduroy fabric, the original VDO
gauges, switches, and dashboard were restored, and there's a new
smaller Personal-Saab steering wheel. The door moldings, which
usually crumble to dust after more than 50 years, were replaced
with CNC pieces and wrapped in correct vinyl. In the dash, a modern
Retro-Sound radio was installed with original-style knobs, along
with a hidden antenna and speakers discreetly fitted throughout the
interior. The only notable modification is the control head for the
Holley Sniper EFI system, which can be neatly hidden in the glove
box for a completely OEM look. There's a correct vinyl headliner
overhead and a beautifully finished cargo compartment out back,
which also includes a Saab 900 space saver spare with lug bolts and
tool kit.The funky 1700 cc V-4 was treated to a complete rebuild
incorporating the tricks Ray Longhitano and Jack Lawrence learned
from racing these cars when they were new. There's a new crank with
fresh bearings, the heads were ported and polished and fitted with
larger valves, one of Jack's upgraded street performance camshafts
was installed inside the V, along with one of his lighter
flywheels. The goal was to keep it looking stock, so the Holley
Sniper 2-barrel EFI system was cleverly hidden under the original
'batwing' air cleaner and a Pertronix electronic ignition system
lives inside the distributor. With some tuning, the EFI system
transformed the gutsy little V-4, making this a surprisingly fast
car, even today. It starts easily, idles nicely, and generally
behaves like a car with fuel injection should. It's pretty
impressive. While the engine was being rebuilt, the transmission
was disassembled and fitted with new seals and bearings. The
suspension was completely rebuilt and uses new Grade-8 or better
hardware throughout, along with a fresh set of Bilstein shocks all
around. The suspension components were powdercoated and it was
outfitted with a set of 4-bolt hubs from a Monte Carlo 96. The
entire braking system was rebuilt, including NOS rotors, stainless
lines, and new MGB brake calipers up front. For the perfect
soundtrack, one of Jack Lawrence's performance exhaust systems was
ceramic coated and tucked under the car. Finally, it sits on a rare
set of 15-inch Ronal/Saab alloy wheels and recent 185/65/15
performance radials.Documentation includes restoration photos,
receipts, manuals, and more.This beautiful Sonett was a true labor
of love by a long-term Saab enthusiast. Using the best parts and
drawing from the smartest guys in the Sonett hobby, he's created
what is likely the best Sonett III in the world. There are still
plenty of cheap Sonetts out there, but given the work done to this
car you probably couldn't duplicate it for twice the asking price.
If you have the opportunity to buy the best of anything, why
wouldn't you take it? Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
