A Third Sonett for a Surgeon Who Never Forgot His First
A yellow 1971 Saab Sonett III, chassis 71500368, is approaching the end of a no-reserve auction on Bring a Trailer, accompanied by an unusually extensive photographic record of its restoration. The fiberglass body was removed from the underlying structure, the 1.7-liter V4 was reportedly rebuilt, and the four-speed manual transaxle received several modifications intended to address familiar aspects of early Saab ownership. The result is a thoroughly refurbished example that has also departed from its original specification in several noticeable ways. Offered in Morganville, New Jersey, the car had attracted a highest bid of $11,000 as of September 21, with the auction scheduled to close the following day.
The story behind the current ownership emerged in the auction’s comment section. According to seller Michael, who operates under the username The_Dude_Abides and is handling the sale as a Bring a Trailer Local Partner, the owner is a surgeon from North Carolina who previously owned a Sonett while attending medical school. Years later, he decided to return to the model and searched for an example that met his expectations. This yellow car became his third Sonett, and the seller reports that the owner considers it the finest of the three he has owned. He acquired it in 2021, after the major restoration work had already been completed.
That personal history explains why an extensively restored Sonett ended up in the collection of someone who already knew the model from firsthand experience. The owner was returning to a car he had driven decades earlier, this time with the resources to choose an example that had already received considerable attention. According to the seller, limited time and the owner’s interest in his Ferrari 308 and newer Mustang Dark Horse have contributed to the decision to sell the Sonett. The auction therefore concerns a car purchased to revisit a particular period of its owner’s life, rather than a restoration project being offered immediately after completion.
There is also a useful contribution from an earlier owner. A Bring a Trailer member using the name Seacoastnh identified himself as the person who purchased this very Sonett directly from the individual responsible for its restoration, around 2020. He reports keeping the car for approximately one or two years before it passed into subsequent ownership. His recollections are positive, particularly regarding the attention the car attracted wherever he drove it. Although this is a personal account rather than independent mechanical verification, it provides another link in the car’s ownership history and indicates that the Sonett was driven and enjoyed after its restoration, rather than simply prepared for the current auction.
The Blue Sonett That Became Yellow
The Sonett was originally finished in blue, but the restoration introduced a much more conspicuous yellow exterior. According to the auction documentation, its fiberglass body was removed from the frame before being refinished in two-stage paint. The original front and rear bumperettes were also deleted, leaving the front fascia and rear bodywork with a cleaner appearance. The car retains its retractable headlights, auxiliary driving lights, bullet-style exterior mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets, while the distinctive 15-inch Saab soccer-ball wheels have been refinished and polished.
Removing the fiberglass body is particularly relevant on a Sonett III because its steel supporting structure must be evaluated separately from the condition of the exterior panels. A freshly painted fiberglass body can present well even when corrosion or previous repairs remain beneath it. In this case, the listing includes photographs of the refurbishment and the underside, giving prospective buyers material with which to examine the work performed. The body-off restoration is a substantial undertaking, although its ultimate quality depends on the condition of the underlying structure and the methods used during reassembly.
The contrast with an unrestored example is particularly revealing. A 1973 Sonett III previously featured on SaabPlanet still wore its original Sunset Yellow paint, making its surviving factory finish an important part of that particular car’s appeal. The 1971 example now being auctioned takes the opposite approach: its original color has been replaced during an extensive refurbishment, with the emphasis placed on the quality of the work, the mechanical changes, and the car’s present condition rather than the preservation of its factory appearance.
The exterior modifications have also prompted discussion among Bring a Trailer readers. One commenter, BobD, suggested that the yellow body would benefit from retaining some form of the original rubber bumper arrangement. The bumperette deletion is therefore not universally regarded as an improvement, even if the simplified bodywork suits the appearance of this particular car. For a buyer interested in restoring the original configuration, the removed components and any changes to their mounting points would be worth investigating. There is no indication in the listing that the bumperettes are included among the accompanying spare parts.
The seller also identifies several imperfections that are less apparent in the general exterior photographs. There are cracks in the finish near the retractable antenna and beneath the lower radiator openings, while the right rear quarter-window seal needs adjustment. One of the retractable headlights does not operate on low beam. The auxiliary driving lights in the grille are a separate matter: after a prospective buyer asked whether they worked, the seller subsequently confirmed that they were functional and supplied an additional photograph. That distinction is worth preserving, since the working auxiliary lights do not resolve the reported low-beam fault.
A Rebuilt V4 With Attention to Cooling and Ignition
Beneath the long fiberglass hood is the familiar 1.7-liter Ford-derived V4, the larger-displacement engine adopted for the Sonett III’s 1971 model year. The original American-market factory specification was rated at approximately 65 horsepower, and the auction does not identify any significant performance-oriented internal modifications to this particular engine. Instead, the previous owner is said to have rebuilt it and concentrated on supporting systems, replacing engine mounts, belts, filters, and exhaust components as part of the broader refurbishment.
The cooling system received a two-row copper-core radiator and an electric cooling fan, while the ignition system was converted to a PerTronix electronic arrangement. These alterations retain the original V4 architecture while replacing components that can demand regular attention on an older car. Further maintenance carried out in 2019 included replacement of the thermostat, upper radiator hose, valve-cover gaskets, distributor cap, rotor, and spark-plug wires. The available listing does not specify the precise internal machining work performed during the rebuild, nor does it establish how many miles the engine has covered since that work was completed.
The four-speed manual transmission, however, contains the most distinctive mechanical changes made during the restoration. Its original freewheeling function has been disabled, and a transmission saver kit and reverse lockout kit were installed. The restoration also included a replacement clutch, clutch master cylinder, and transmission mounts. These are significant interventions on a Sonett III because they affect the operation of the drivetrain rather than simply restoring the original components to working condition.
Jack Ashcraft’s Connection to the Gearbox Restoration
The transmission modifications have a particularly interesting connection to the American Saab specialist community. According to information supplied by the previous owner and reproduced in the auction gallery, the transmission saver and reverse lockout kits came from Jack Ashcraft of Ashcraft Saab in Medford, Oregon. The seller subsequently expanded on that information in the comment section, explaining that numerous other components used during the restoration had also been sourced from Ashcraft. This gives the restoration a documented connection to a specialist supplier rather than leaving the origins of the modified transmission components unidentified.
The name also prompted an exchange about the current availability of Ashcraft’s services. The seller understood that Jack had retired but believed his son Mark might still be operating the business. Another commenter, Pilott, who reported purchasing Sonett II parts from Mark in late 2021, responded that Mark had also retired and closed his business. These comments do not establish the present availability of Ashcraft parts, but they illustrate how much specialized knowledge and component supply for the Sonett community has depended on individuals who have worked with the cars for decades.
For Saab enthusiasts familiar with the brand’s early transmissions, the disabled freewheeling mechanism is the modification that most directly changes the driving experience. Originally developed for Saab’s two-stroke models, the freewheel allowed the drivetrain to overrun the engine when the driver released the accelerator. This helped address the lubrication requirements of a two-stroke engine, which could otherwise continue turning at high rpm with a nearly closed throttle and a reduced supply of fuel-oil mixture. The mechanism survived the transition to four-stroke engines, including the V4-powered Sonett, even though its original lubrication-related purpose no longer applied.
The freewheel was part of the engineering inheritance carried over from Saab’s earlier models. The Saab Sonett III history documented by SaabMuseum.com traces the development of the third-generation car from the Sonett II, including the continued use of the existing mechanical architecture beneath the redesigned body. The Sonett III introduced the exterior developed through the work of Sergio Coggiola and Saab designer Gunnar A. Sjögren, but its front-wheel-drive layout and V4 drivetrain remained closely related to Saab’s established engineering.
With the freewheel disabled, this Sonett behaves more like a conventional manual-transmission car when the accelerator is released, retaining engine braking rather than automatically coasting with the engine disengaged. The installation of the transmission saver and reverse lockout kits represents additional work on the original gearbox, although the auction description does not provide their detailed construction or installation procedures. The precise mechanical configuration is therefore best established through the accompanying restoration records rather than assumptions based solely on the names of the kits.
There is one important issue still requiring clarification. The auction description acknowledges a fluid leak from the drivetrain, but does not identify its source or severity. On September 21, a prospective buyer using the name RebuiltOne asked whether the leak originated at the rear main seal, front seal, or elsewhere, and how serious it was. No response to that specific question appears in the supplied comment record. Given the extent of the previous transmission work, identifying the leak would be particularly useful for anyone assessing the remaining mechanical work. It should not be assumed that the modified gearbox is responsible without further inspection.
Brown Vinyl, Adjustable Lumbar Cushions, and a Seat Belt Question
The interior follows the same approach as the mechanical refurbishment, combining the original Sonett layout with replacement materials and additional equipment. The fixed-back bucket seats have been reupholstered in brown vinyl with textured center inserts, while Dynamat sound insulation was installed before the cabin was reassembled. The dashboard retains its recognizable VDO instrumentation, including the central tachometer and 120-mph speedometer. A three-spoke steering wheel, Saab-branded shift knob, heater, roll bar, and tan lap belts complete the principal interior equipment.
The restoration also introduced a Bluetooth-compatible Retrosound stereo with a USB input, hands-free microphone, two under-dash speakers, and a pair of 6×9-inch speakers behind the seats. The installation provides modern audio functionality without replacing the original instrument arrangement. Alongside the renewed upholstery and sound insulation, it reflects an interior prepared for an owner intending to spend time driving the car rather than preserving every element of its original equipment.
An exchange in the auction comments provides details about the seats that are not immediately apparent in the photographs. A reader who had owned a Sonett during college questioned whether the lumbar cushions were still adjustable, since the original visible adjustment straps appeared to be missing. Another commenter had suggested that the cushions might have been fixed too low to provide proper lumbar support. The seller clarified that the original cloth seats had been replaced with vinyl upholstery, but the cushions themselves remain movable and can be positioned at different heights. The original adjustment straps are no longer used, and the cushions rely on their shape and fit to remain in position.
The same discussion also addressed a practical concern familiar to anyone who has tried to enter or exit a Sonett III. The prospective buyer asked about the size of the driver shown in the accompanying driving video, explaining that he had grown considerably since owning one himself. According to the seller, the current owner is approximately six feet tall, weighs 185 pounds, and is 70 years old, yet has no difficulty getting into the car or finding a comfortable driving position. This is an individual ownership report rather than a guarantee of suitable accommodation for every driver, but it provides a useful reference alongside the photographs of the compact cockpit.
A more consequential issue concerns the replacement of the original three-point seat belts with lap-only belts, a change specifically questioned by commenter BobD. The listing confirms that tan lap belts are currently fitted, although it does not explain why the original restraint arrangement was removed or whether its mounting points remain available. For a prospective owner, the restraint configuration deserves separate consideration from the quality of the upholstery. A return to three-point belts would require examining the original mounting provisions and obtaining components appropriate for the vehicle.
The Remaining Work Behind the Restored Appearance
The seller’s comments provide a more complete account of the car’s present condition than the general auction description alone. When asked whether the inoperative horn could be repaired before collection, Michael explained that his business primarily handles cosmetic reconditioning and contracts out mechanical work. The horn had reportedly functioned when the owner purchased the car, but was no longer working. Rather than promising to complete the repair, the seller acknowledged that the next owner would need to address it along with several other outstanding details.
The mechanical refurbishment was nevertheless extensive. According to the auction documentation, the suspension was overhauled, while additional work in 2019 included rebuilding the front brake calipers and replacing the front brake pads, rear wheel cylinders, wheel seals, and wheel bearings at all four corners. The parking brake operates but requires adjustment. Combined with the rebuilt V4, cooling upgrades, replacement clutch components, and transmission modifications, this represents a substantial amount of completed work, although the present condition of each system still needs to be evaluated independently.
There are also several smaller considerations for the next owner. The speedometer needle reportedly bounces while driving, the total mileage is unknown despite the odometer displaying approximately 45,000 miles, and the GT Radial tires have 2018 production date codes. Together with the reported drivetrain leak, headlight fault, and horn issue, these details distinguish a car that has undergone extensive restoration from one that has subsequently been fully sorted. The accompanying records should help establish which operations have been completed and which items still require attention.
The significance of the restoration becomes clearer when compared with the problems often encountered on neglected Sonetts. A previously featured Saab Sonett III abandoned since 1999 required an extensive recovery process after spending decades out of regular use. The yellow 1971 example has already undergone substantial mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment, but the disclosed faults demonstrate that completing a restoration and resolving every subsequent operating issue are separate stages of ownership.
A Possible Return to Sweden?
The prospect of this Sonett returning to Europe has also appeared in the auction discussion. On September 19, the seller reported that two separate prospective buyers from Europe had contacted him about shipping arrangements. He explained that the vehicle was located approximately 35 minutes from Port Newark and that his business could assist with export logistics. He also speculated that the car might eventually return to Sweden, although neither the comments nor the bidding establish where the eventual buyer will be located.
There is a historical connection behind that possibility. The Sonett III was developed and built in Sweden, but the United States was its principal export market, which explains why so many surviving examples and restoration projects continue to appear in American listings. According to SaabMuseum.com’s model-year production records, 1,952 Sonett III examples were manufactured for the 1971 model year, out of approximately 8,300 produced throughout the model’s five-year production run. A return to Sweden would therefore bring this particular example back to its country of manufacture after more than five decades.
The Sonett’s transatlantic history also explains the interest generated by the auction among European Saab enthusiasts. Swedish automotive publication Carup recently highlighted this same yellow example, concentrating on its restored appearance and the opportunity to acquire one of Saab’s relatively uncommon sports cars. The original Bring a Trailer listing provides considerably more information about the mechanical work, modifications, ownership history, and outstanding issues than is apparent from the exterior photographs alone.
The seller has supplemented the listing with photographs of the documentation accompanying the vehicle, including a restoration photo album, receipts, and period literature. He also reports that the auction gallery contains hundreds of photographs, together with underside images and driving and walkaround videos. The sale includes a spare instrument cluster, Saab accessories, and an unusual pair of matching chairs and a yellow cooler. These additional items are peripheral to the mechanical condition of the Sonett, but the restoration photographs and receipts are particularly useful for tracing the work performed before the current owner’s acquisition in 2021.
The comments also reveal why the Sonett continues to attract attention from people who owned these cars decades ago. One prospective bidder recalled that a Sonett III had been his first car during his final year of college, while another described the experience of accompanying his father to purchase one around 1974. These recollections do not establish anything about the mechanical condition or market value of the vehicle being offered, but they provide context for the current owner’s decision to acquire a third Sonett after his own experience with the model during medical school.
What Will Bidders Make of This Particular Restoration?
The auction is scheduled to end on September 22, 2026, at 12:14 p.m. Pacific time, with no reserve price. As of September 21, bidding had reached $11,000, although the final result remains open until the auction concludes. The vehicle is being sold with a clean North Carolina title in the current owner’s name, and the seller has offered assistance with domestic transportation and international shipping arrangements.
The restoration presents prospective buyers with several distinct considerations. The fiberglass body has been removed and refinished, the V4 has reportedly been rebuilt, and the transmission has received specialist modifications, while the suspension, cooling system, and brakes have also been addressed. Against that work must be considered the departure from the original blue exterior, the removal of the bumperettes and three-point seat belts, the disabled freewheel, and the mechanical and cosmetic issues disclosed by the seller. The documentation and photographs provide a basis for examining those changes, but they cannot replace an assessment of the car’s present condition.
The range of surviving Sonett III examples illustrates how differently individual cars have been maintained and modified over the decades. SaabPlanet previously covered a 1974 Sonett III fitted with a Saab 96 front end in the Netherlands, an example that departed considerably further from the original exterior design. Compared with that unusual conversion, the yellow 1971 car retains the recognizable Sonett III body configuration, although its paint, bumper arrangement, interior restraints, and transmission operation differ from the original specification.
For this particular Sonett III, the restoration history is at least as relevant as the finished appearance. The car has passed from the individual who restored it to an enthusiast who owned it around 2020, and subsequently to a surgeon revisiting a model he had enjoyed during his student years. Its gearbox modifications have a documented connection to Jack Ashcraft, and its present seller has provided an extensive photographic record while openly identifying several outstanding issues. The auction will establish what the highest bidder is prepared to pay for that specific combination of documented work, personal history, altered specification, and remaining repairs.
Follow the auction: 1971 Saab Sonett III on Bring a Trailer, Lot #264435.
The freewheel was one the things I appreciated most on my 96 V4.