5 minute read
What Is It? – Barry Hoffman’s SAAB Sonett V4
What Is It? – Barry Hoffman’s SAAB Sonett V4 by Murray Stanley
Hidden away in a corner of the “Aladdin’s Cave” that is Barry Hoffman’s storage shed, sits a little red coupe that leaves most car enthusiasts stumped when asked to identify it. The mysterious vehicle is actually a very rare 1968 SAAB Sonett II-V4. So rare, in fact, that it is probably the only one of its type in this country! Barry’s car is the second iteration of the Sonett line – the original Sonett I was a two-seat, open-top, light-weight road-racer that was developed in the late 1950s using aircraft design concepts. It featured a three-cylinder 748cc two-stroke engine with a projected top speed of 120 mph. This fiberglass-bodied vehicle was given the name “Sonett,” which was said to be derived from the Swedish phrase Så nätt den är (“how neat it is”). SAAB anticipated a production run of 2,000 units for the Sonett I, but unfortunately, racing class rules were changed, and only six cars were ever made, with pro-
duction ending in 1957. All six of the Sonett I’s were right-hand drive as Sweden did not change to driving on the right until 1967. However, by the early 1960s, SAAB was once again back into light-weight sports car production with the Sonett II. Like the Sonett I, the Sonett II had fibreglass body bolted onto a box-type chassis with an added roll-bar to support the hard top. The entire front hood section hinged forward to allow easy access to the engine, transmission, and front suspension - all of which were ahead of the front axle. The two-stroke, three-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 841cc, and produced
59 hp, which enabled the early Sonett II models to achieve a 0 to 100 km/h time of 12.5 seconds, and a top speed of 150 km/h. In contrast to the Sonett I, all Sonett IIs were left-hand drive.
By 1967, the old two-stroke engine had failed to meet US emission control standards, and a switch was made to the Ford Taunus 1,500cc V4 engine. The model was then renamed the Sonett II-V4. Apart from the engine and related drivetrain, the Sonett II and Sonett V4 share much of their componentry, although the additional weight did require some strengthening of the chassis and suspension. Approximately 50 percent of the Sonett II production has survived, being preserved and maintained by museums, collectors, and enthusiasts like Barry. Designed as a race car, the Sonett II competed successfully against other small European sports cars, including the Austin-Healey Sprite and Triumph Spitfire, in races of the period. All Sonett II transmissions – which are 4-speed column change - had a freewheel capability (a carry-over from the 2-stroke configuration) that could be engaged and disengaged while in motion via a pull handle near the throttle pedal. Barry’s Sonett was brought to New Zealand in the 1990s by a tractor importer who found it in a classic car dealership in California. It was a one-owner car in the USA, and Barry is the second owner in this country. He came across the car while participating in a Classic Alpine Rally in the South Island several years ago. One of the other participants mentioned that he had an unusual car that Barry might like to add to his car collection. Initially, Barry had no interest in acquiring an old
SAAB, but once he actually laid eyes on the Sonett, he was hooked. He loved the attractive and compact coupe shape and was also intrigued by its uniqueness and rarity. So the deal was done, and the Sonett left Nelson and went up North to join Barry at Dannevirke. That was 14 years ago. The car is totally original and unrestored – all that it has needed was a bit of a paint touch-up about seven years ago. Barry says that the car has a spirited performance and great road-holding, given its front-wheel drive and light weight (770kgs). He doesn’t drive the car a lot - but he has taken it on one of the Classic Alpine tours several years ago when it was held in the North Island.
As far as Barry is concerned, the little SAAB is just such a beautiful design that it gives him a lot of pleasure simply by looking at it. Interestingly, not everyone
loved the Sonett styling as much as Barry – a review of the Sonett II-V4 in Road & Track magazine in 1968 described the car as having great handling and performance, but in the looks department, “everything seemed tacked on as an afterthought; the styling was not integrated from end to the other.” The photos included in this article do make one wonder what car the Road & Track writers were actually looking at – it’s hard not to like the styling of Barry’s Sonett. As a postscript, in 1970, the Sonett II-V4 design was updated by SAAB and designated as a new model - the Sonett III. This model had revised styling, and the
Ford V4 engine capacity was increased to 1,700cc, but power output remained the same as the 1,500cc engine due to US engine emission regulations. Sadly, disappointing sales and the 1973 oil crisis turned out to be the end of the line for the SAAB Sonett, and production was finally terminated in 1974.
KIRK Automotive
Servicing and Repairs to All Makes and Models
Auto Transmission Service and Rebuilds
Mark Kirkcaldie 35 Raywood Cres, Taupo Ph: 027 200 2570
Our fully equipped modern workshop facility offers a reliable, accurate and affordable solution to all your reconditioning and machining needs. Includes high performance race/street, general automotive, motorcycle, marine, light and heavy diesel and industrial. We offer extremely quick turn around times and can pick-up or deliver if required Brian Henson / Scott Murray 19 Matai Street Ph; 3773570 Fax; 07 3773572 Email; Engines@hmltd.co.nz
Taupo Auto & Marine Trimmers 16 Manuka Street 07-378 6969
grant@taupoautomarine.co.nz www.taupoautomarine.co.nz
2x standard life cycle Environmentally responsible 42 mth standard warranty
