Looking to Restore My 1974 Saab Sonett lll

[NEhomer]

I ran a couple of Saabs back when I was younger and the second one came to my new house with me in the summer of 1995. I rolled it out to start it the next spring and the fuel lines leaked so I rolled it back. Got busy...changed jobs....had a kid....yada yada so years went by.

Then about 10 years ago this father of one of my son's friends fancied himself a Sabbie and he bragged about how he could help me restore it. I agreed that I would let him cut firewood on my property, I'd order some parts and he'd help me. Well when the wood was done, that fucker was too. Never got back to it and then I second guessed getting it on the road while a teenage son was at home a driving. It's not the safest car on the road to say the least.

So now the boy's on his own, I could use the space and I'm looking to get this to a shop. The first one didn't reply and the second one was very hesitant as he's behind on everything. Gonna call a cool sounding place today. I have rotors, wheel cylinders, pads, carb kit stuff, clutch master....etc.

It's a neat little car with a fiberglass body, Ford V4 engine, front wheel drive. The big problem with these cars aside from fucking Lucas electrical shit is rust. It never had much rust at all but I had a few spots fixed and the entire thing undercoated before I put it away. It's in very solid shape.

This isn't my car but this is it...cept that in '74 they added a bumper.

Saab only Marketed them in the U.S. and only made the Sonett lll for 5 years with a total production of 8300 cars. They're not worth a whole lot and they're a pain in the ass to work on but it'll be fun to have it back and re-live my 20s!

 

[NEhomer]

Headlamps up and the bumper added. Def looked sleeker without the bumper.

 

[outofyourmind]

The big problem with these cars aside from fucking Lucas electrical shit is rust.

Lucas, Prince of Darkness



Good Luck
Looks like a fun car

 

[NEhomer]

Lucas, Prince of Darkness



Good Luck
Looks like a fun car

Lol!

I always heard the one that goes why do the British drink warm beer? Lucas refrigerators.

Talked to a cool fellow who has a nice shop a little over an hour away. I'm going to meet with him on Thursday to discuss what needs to be done. I took it out and gave it a quick wash today.

 

[NEhomer]

Rolled my car out yesterday and washed it down. Here it is:

Gotta collect all the parts I have. I'm going to meet with this place on Thursday. Looks like a really top notch shop.

Classic, Vintage & Muscle Cars Restoration | Connecticut, U.S. & International | Enfield Auto Restoration

 

[NEhomer]

If/when I get it painted, I'm not going to try to match original colors. The car is never going to be worth money so original condition is meaningless. The five they used were drab Saab colors like the shit green mine is.

I'm thinking this:

In my graphics shop I can print and cut vinyl to replace the original Saab stripe on the door. Bright vibrant yum yum yellow with black trim.

 

[outofyourmind]

I'm torn on the front bumper.
Maybe get rid of it.

 

[Bayou Tiger]

In my graphics shop I can print and cut vinyl to replace the original Saab stripe on the door. Bright vibrant yum yum yellow with black trim.

I'm torn on the front bumper.
Maybe get rid of it.

Yep....dump the bumper. De-badge it. Remove any and all indications of what it actually is. Make them guess.

Yellow would look cool. Make it pop. Maybe get some nicer rims and tires.

 

[NEhomer]

I'm torn on the front bumper.
Maybe get rid of it.

Yeah, it's a drag. My 71 didn't have it. Not recalling just why they added it the final year of production. I've never heard of one being removed....maybe I'll look into it. Not that big of a deal for me though...you mostly notice when you see them side by side.

Yep....dump the bumper. De-badge it. Remove any and all indications of what it actually is. Make them guess.

Yellow would look cool. Make it pop. Maybe get some nicer rims and tires.

Well my only concern there is that I'd like it to be readily recognized as a Saab. Not only might it otherwise be mistaken for some fuckin' fiberglass kit on a VW chassis, there are many Saab enthusiasts who've never seen one. Of course, there's still the Saab insignia on it. One time years ago, this drunken Swede approached me in a parking lot with his jaw on the ground....he was a huge Sabbie from back home and he'd never seen one. As I said, they were only marketed in the U.S. for a short time.

Has anyone in here heard of one or seen one on the road?

As for rims, I've never seen a Sonett without the soccer ball rims. Certainly the dude with the yellow car I posted above could have done better. Cool thought though, some really hot rims could look nice if I'm not gonna bother keeping it original.

 

[outofyourmind]

Yeah, it's a drag. My 71 didn't have it. Not recalling just why they added it the final year of production.

Federal mandate of 5 mph bumpers for all cars is why.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Federal mandate of 5 mph bumpers for all cars is why.

Like when they did this. Jacked it up higher too. 1970 vs 1974

 

[NEhomer]

I wonder what was the point of the 5mph bumper?

I'm also wondering if I could remove it and find a replacement with the old soft rear bumper.

 

[NEhomer]

Stopped by Enfield Restorations yesterday. What a sweet operation Ray has going there.

After a phone call Monday, I arrived yesterday and they had a folder with all of my info on it. I met Ray and he had his manager show me around and introduce me to several of the staff. They can really do anything with a full custom metal shop and upholstery section and of course body and mechanics as well. Very professional organization.

They'll take the car before the holidays and have it ready in the spring. The next step will be the evaluation, where we'll put it on a lift and start going over what needs to be done, what ought to be done and what I can dream about being done.

Still haven't talked $$$ so I'm not sure about so much of the project.

 

[NEhomer]

Finally bringing this car in tomorrow. They said around the holidays and then I delayed it a week.

Anyone have experience with clear coating an older car? It'll be a spell before I could paint it but my buddy's got a sign shop with a full spray room so I could do it myself. I know it'll involve rubbing and I've read about prepping. Just wondering what pit falls to avoid.

 

[outofyourmind]

Just wondering what pit falls to avoid.

My first inclination would be to not do it alone if it's your first time. If you know somebody who has done it, have him there.

 

[NEhomer]

My first inclination would be to not do it alone if it's your first time. If you know somebody who has done it, have him there.

Oh definitely...an employee of his has painted several cars there so it would be under advisement.

 

[NEhomer]

Well now, this whole deal took a turn.

This restoration place has been reticent to discuss costs and to a degree I get that. They have to see what's up with the car and all that, however, from the start, I've said that I'm not interested in putting more money into the car than it's worth...and it's only worth about 10 grand in good condition.

They found some rust near the rear of the rockers and along a seam under the seat so it needs a little rust work. This somehow is now going to price the job so high that they're questioning the project. Cripes.

I have a local fellow near me who does great rust work. He did both rockers on my truck last year for 5 hundred bucks. I'm gonna go get the car and take it to him. He'll do the rust work for well under a grand and I'll start putting it together by myself and another shop I have in mind.

.....so, now we're back on the slow track!