-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GcEb9MUrhG9RPyd+aUCrURx1gBdqXEDNURBEAHC7fTbeEOezPLjLEq/nIN38v86t
 mMp9Kt4UX8MUE5xAXeIY4A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-07-026502.txt : 20070423
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-07-026502.hdr.sgml : 20070423
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070423165139
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-07-026502
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070419
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070423
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070423

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043509
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				562010790
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0207

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 18747
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28212
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7045323354

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28212

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Vorhoff David C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001342020

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
		FILM NUMBER:		07782055

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		301-654-8300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
		STREET 2:		801 LIBERTY WAY
		CITY:			CHESTER
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23836
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd155115.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-04-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043509</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SAH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001342020</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Vorhoff David C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6415 IDLEWILD ROAD, SUITE 109</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28212</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David C. Vorhoff</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-04-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----