Saab Sonett V4
Saab fitted a compact Ford V4 into its tiny sports coupe, trading the buzz of a two-stroke for easier everyday pulling power.
Saab Sonett V4 (1967) - 7993845460.jpg · SG2012 · CC BY 2.0
Research pending
A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.
Joyride shows this gap instead of substituting an asking price, unsold bid or mismatched special vehicle.
More than a set of wheels.
Partway through the 1967 model year, Saab replaced the Sonett II's two-stroke with the same 1.5-litre V4 used in the 95 and 96. The taller engine required a bonnet bulge and prompted a new Sonett V4 name. Early V4 cars also gained bumper overriders, a redesigned instrument panel, improved ventilation and a grille with horizontal bars.
Look a little closer.
Early cars had an open glovebox recess, so loose items could jump out during enthusiastic acceleration.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
The bonnet bulge tells the engine story
The Ford V4 was taller than the previous two-stroke, so Saab reshaped the bonnet rather than redesigning the entire low coupe. That visible bulge is the clearest distinction between a Sonett V4 and the original Sonett II nose.
Source: The Saab Museum · Sonett II/V4 history ↗Same family engine, small Sonett changes
SaabMuseum records that the Sonett engine matched the 95/96 V4 except for rearward/downward air filters and harder valve springs. That lets the 65 hp shared engine specification be used while keeping the Sonett-specific installation limits explicit.
Source: The Saab Museum · Sonett II/V4 model-year changes ↗Where these facts come from
- The Saab Museum · Sonett II/V4 model-year changes
- The Saab Museum · Sonett II/V4 history
- The Saab Museum · Saab 96 V4 history
- The Saab Museum · Saab 95 V4 technical specifications
- Vintage Saab Manuals · Sonett owner manuals
- Wikimedia Commons · 1967 Saab Sonett V4
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.