1970 SAAB Sonett III #28
ABSOLUTELY RUST-FREE, NEVER ROTTEN CALIFORNIA
CAR
Two-owner Sonett III, 24 years in Southern California,
13 years in the northern Gold Country
Lightly restored in 1994 with a later 1700cc V4 engine (1970 was the last
year for the 1.5)
Has been a regularly used fair weather fun car since then - only 74,505
miles from new.
In 1983, the original owner in El Cajon, CA
put the car in storage in the warm, dry climate of Southern California.
Current owner purchased and restored the body during the early 1990s when
the mechanicals were also thoroughly gone over (see below for details).
The license plate is merely covered in this
shot.
Tires all around are newer 165SR15s on the original
Sonett steel wheels (4.5" wide vs 4" on the 95/96).
The fibreglass is damage free with the slight
exceptions of some mild spidering in the paint in the nose.
Detailed shots of these minor defects above
and below...
As you can see, the defects in the 13 year old
paint are far less than an original Sonett III would have been in 1983!
This has got to be one of very few Sonett IIIs
whose engine bay "lid" has not been accented in black, a practice
SAAB started during 1972 following the example of Glenn Bunch at Performance
Cars in Newport News, VA. Glenn had also been detailing the rear body around
the taillamps in black which SAAB duplicated in production about the same
time. Many earlier Sonett III owners have, knowingly or not, duplicated
the later scheme. This car is correct for 1970.
Another shot of the monochromatic engine bay
lid.
Doorpanel upholstery and trim is original. Very
little of the interior of this car has been redone. Door seals have also
recently been replaced, left and right.
As long as we're in the doorjamb! This is Sonett
III #28, much earlier than this would be hard to come by!
Popular accessory Talbot Berlin mirrors adorn
the car, these were very popular in the day. The right side door can only
be locked from the inside, the lock cylinder failed years ago and has not
been repaired since.
The original interior upholstery has largely
stood the test of time.
And from the passenger's side.
Original speedometer, original mileage.
Original carpeting is likewise in excellent
original condition.
Below the carpets, the current owner fashioned
new high density fibreboard, correctly sectioned for each footwell, in order
to smoothen the appearance of the floor.
What most Sonett owners only dream about, absolutely
perfect original front floorpans. Note also special Drakenparts shifter
kit fitted to improve smoothness.
Originally, this car was fitted with dealer-installed
air conditioning. When the 1700cc engine went in, the current owner removed
the air conditioning, but only just fashioned these blanking plates where
the original vents went. As many original A/C parts as you would like convey
with the car at purchase.
As seen above and below, the headliner was recently
and correctly replaced.
Most trunk upholstery has been replaced with
authentic materials.
This is the original trunk floor carpeting.
And beneath...
...the original trunk floor is absolutely flawless,
even in the area around the battery, which along with spare tire were removed
for this photograph.
Included with the sale, the complete original
toolkit, owners manual and Sonett III Service Supplement.
1700cc V4 engine #196406S is from a late 1971
Sonett III, refreshed along with the car in 1994 with hardened exhaust valve
seats and lightened flywheel. Freewheeling transmission works but has been
locked out since that time.
There is also a set of electric fans in front
of the radiator, the switch is on the dash.
Regular maintenance has been carried out since
the refreshing of the car. Additionally, the brake master cylinder was resleeved
and rebuilt recently, a common problem with the low-mounted brake master
in all Sonetts.
why is this car for sale?
My client turned 80 recently and despite much enthusiasm for this and other
Sonett IIIs has realized that his eyesight is not getting any better, nor
his reaction time. He is interested in seeing this car go to a good home
so that someone else may enjoy this very early production Sonett III for
many more years to come. The car is an outstanding running and driving pleasure
car in unusually good-running original condition throughout.
Since he knows far more specifics about this
car, I urge you to ask questions of
Alex, not of me. He responds to e-mail
frequently. Alternatively, you may call him with serious questions at +1-209-588-0539
regarding the car or logistical concerns regarding payment and shipping.
Should you have questions regarding the listing,
or vintage SAABs in general, I welcome
your inquiries, I am one of very few parts and component restoration
services for these cars in the USA.
payment/shipping information
Payment is due to Alex within 7 (seven) days
of auction close. I will provide the winning bidder with his address and
any other information you may require at that time. There will be no exceptions
to this rule unless cleared with him
or me beforehand. Acceptable forms
of payment are cash on pickup or a certified/bank cheque. Other methods
of payment should be cleared with him prior to placing any successful bid.
Shipping must take place within 14 (fourteen)
days of auction close. Alex is absolutely free on his end to assist you
or your shipper with logistics, even if it involves international/port delivery,
he has offered his services to the winner should they require a little more
than the usual involvement of an eBay car seller. However, this timeframe
is inflexible unless cleared with him
or me before you place your bid!
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?
E-MAIL ME OR ALEX
OR CALL 804-357-4926