1969 Saab Sonett II V4 Showcases Aviation-Inspired Design at DFW Car & Toy Museum

The 1969 Saab Sonett II V4, a rare Swedish sports car with aviation-inspired engineering, is now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum as part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection. This vehicle represents a unique chapter in automotive history where Saab, originally a fighter jet manufacturer, applied its engineering philosophy to create a race car for the road. Built during Saab's formative years in the automotive industry, the Sonett II features a 1.5-liter Ford Taunus V4 engine paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, delivering 65 horsepower through front-wheel drive.

Encased in a lightweight fiberglass body with a distinctive forward-tilting clamshell hood, the car includes practical yet unconventional elements like a column-mounted shifter, front disc brakes, 15-inch steel wheels, and bumperettes at both ends. A polycarbonate rear window and integrated roll bar enhance its track-ready appearance while providing structural support. Inside, the minimalist cabin is equipped with three-point seat belts, a heater, a stereo system with speakers, an analog clock, and a dash-mounted VDO gauge cluster featuring a 120-mph speedometer and 7,000-rpm tachometer.

Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, describes the Sonett II as "a true enthusiast's car—lightweight, a little loud, and completely unconventional," emphasizing how it demonstrates the fun achievable with modest horsepower. The vehicle's design ethos reflects a period when automotive innovation prioritized individuality over conformity, making it equally suitable for spirited driving on twisty roads or as a standout exhibit at quirky car shows. It joins hundreds of unique vehicles featured at the museum since its opening, with new additions regularly showcased.

The DFW Car and Toy Museum, founded by Ron Sturgeon, has evolved from its origins as the DFW Elite Toy Museum, now occupying a 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth. Visitors can explore the collection at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, with details available on the museum's website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The museum offers free parking and admission, operating Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and provides climate-controlled storage and event facilities while welcoming dogs and encouraging photography.