Formula Junior SAABO Quantum Catherina MFI 13 Sonett II Monte Carlo V4
Gudmund The Toad 1968 DeLuxe The 98 The Baja 1000 SAABSA EMS
1977 99T The 5 Door 1980 96 The 90 The EV-1 The Convertible Rallying
Lime Rock The "Fleet" Drivers Barber Saab Toy SAABs Personalities Saab-missions
A Brief History of SAAB in New England Autocross Literature Talladega Resources
In the 60's Walter set to developing a 2-seat sports car, utilizing Saab's 2-stroke powerplant and transmission. The "Quantum", as it would come to be known, went through a number of variations. The first version - the "Quantum I" was simply a rolling chassis, while the Quantum II was a fully functional vehicle with a sheet metal body and a Saab 750cc engine. This car is alive and well, and still actively races. Chances are it may be seen at the Pittsburgh, PA Vintage Grand Prix, July 19-20, 2003.
By the time Walter had designed and developed the Quantum III, it had reached the level of a beautiful 2-seat coupe, with sweeping fiberglass body by Merrill & Company, and extensive road testing to hone its handling and performance capabilities. A handful of attendees at the 2000 Saab Owner's Convention in Kerhonkson, New York were lucky enough to see Bud Clark, Dave Hosmer, and Ralph Millet present a history of the Quantum, complete with with home movies of the road tests performed at Lime Rock Race Park back in the 60's. One of the two Quantum IIIs that were produced was ultimately presented as a concept car to Saab in Sweden for consideration as a new model for production - a Saab spyder of sorts. The demand for such a car in the USA was clearly evident, and fellow Connecticut resident Ralph Millet, then President of Saab Motors here in the states, was fully behind Walter in his design proposal. However, Saab executives in Sweden balked at the idea, asserting that Saab could develop its own sports car if needed, and as a result, the Swedish-designed Catherina, MFI 13, and ultimately Sonett came into being, while Walter's Quantums went into private hands back here in the states. To this day, they remain gorgeous, road-worthy vehicles - one on each coast. Attendees at Swedish Car Day in Brookline in October 2002 were treated to a command performance by one of the Quantum IIIs, after it had previously graced the lobby at the SOC in 2000.
The 4th generation was scaled down to a one-seat racer. In fact, Walter described his version of the Quantum IV as a go-kart he made for his son. But the Quantum IVs that were ultimately produced for public consumption were actual race car kits, to which buyers could transplant the 2-stroke powerplant out of their 93s, 95s and 96s. These cars were designed as Formula S racers, not unlike the Formula Junior, but with the motor mounted in back. This concept actually became a reality when Walter formed The Quantum Motor Car Company, and Ralph Millet bought the company as a subsidiary of Saab Motors. Walter retained his original company, The Quantum Corporation, and while the Saab executives in Sweden were not exactly pleased with Ralph's new aquisition, and Saab was soon offering and selling numerous Quantum race cars. Numerous examples of the Quantum IV can still be found today - many of which continue to race.
The 5th and final Quantum was built by Walter in 1965, and utilized a modified Ginetta fiberglass body. Only one example was ever produced.That car is currently in private hands in Connectiut, but can be seen frequently at New England Saab events. Click here for an example.
