Saab Sonett in Context
Saab in the mid fifties was a young car maker known for aerodynamic front-wheel-drive saloons with two-stroke engines, and the Sonett grew directly out of that engineering culture. The first Sonett paired a lightweight body with running gear adapted from the company's small road cars, with the aim of exploring how a Saab might compete in sports car racing. This Saab Sonett overview places the 1 generation apart from later Saab Sonett generations, which were closed coupes built in far larger volumes and sold through normal dealers. The original roadster was essentially a works prototype series, which is why it is treated as its own generation here.
Understanding 1 generation
Understanding the 1 generation means accepting that it is a rarity with very limited documented variation. The only body style listed is the roadster, an open two-seater with a low windscreen and minimal weather protection, consistent with its intended use in club racing and rallies. Changes in international competition rules reduced the advantage of building a purpose-designed lightweight, so the project was not carried into series production. Among Saab Sonett body styles, the open car therefore stands alone. Surviving examples are museum pieces, and references to Saab Sonett dimensions for this generation should be read as describing a hand-built car whose individual examples can differ in detail.