It is really Dad’s car, but I get to race it and help maintain/modify it. In 1985, Dad finished restoring this Sonett. He always wanted a roadster but SAAB didn’t make one. He decided to make his own! Engine: 1500cc Ford V4. In race trim it’s bored for a displacement of approx1562cc. Custom pistons put it at 12.5:1 CR. Solex 40 PII-4 carburetor with custom intake manifold. Cylinder heads are ported with big valves and valve springs that allow a redline of 7800 rpm. Hot cam means a peaky power range. A heavily modified cooling system and oil system keeps things cool and healthy. Straight exhaust (no muffler) and it is LOUD. Stock HP was 65hp, though we’ve never measured it I suspect we’ve close to doubled that number. Probably in the 115-120 range. The chassis is stock with no additional bracing, though we’ve added a significant rollbar for racing. Springs are stock ones with 2.5 coils cut off. Shocks are (vintage) Koni adjustable. I’ve dialed in a bunch of negative camber up front and run either 185-65-15 Hoosier Speedsters or 500-15 Dunlop L-Series tires depending on which club I’m running with. Brakes and hubs are from a SAAB 96 Monte Carlo, which provides us with a 4 bolt hub and allows the use of MGB brake pads in front. Dual brake master cylinders with adjustable balance bar helps whoa things down. The gearbox is a standard unit from a SAAB 96. The freewheeling is ACTIVE.

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