Quantum 1 By: John E. Aibel

Brother Fred did it again. We were at Lime Rock for a vintage race, and Fred said he met a fellow who had a SAAB special for sale that he “ice raced”. It ran and came with some spare parts. The price was nominal, and it was eligible to race in our club. 

I arranged to pick the car up the following week. The seller advised that I should go through it before I put it on the track.

I did not know the history of this car at the time, but many of my club members knew how significant this car was. Researching the cars history brought me to the original builder, one Mr. Walter Kern. I had the privilege of speaking to Mr. Kern on the phone, but was never able to talk to him in person. 

Walter Kern in the Quantum 1

Mr. Kern was a nuclear physicist schooled at MIT. He was an amateur sports car racer. He had raced a Fiat powered Siata, and a Porsche in the New England area. Engine oiling problems resulting from the short race tracks in use caused loss of lubrication, and engine damage.

Seeking a cure for this problem he came upon the SAAB economy sedan being sold in the New England area at the time. These front wheel drive economy cars utilized a two stroke cycle engine. Since lubricating the engine was accomplished by adding oil to the fuel, it solved the problem of engine lubrication. 

In Europe SAABs were becoming recognized for their rally success.

Walter was able to enlist the use of an IBM computer, then the size of a room, from his friends at M.I.T. The chassis design was the first ever to be designed with aid of a computer. The resulting chassis was both very rigid and light. A chassis was built to the computer design using SAAB engine and running gear. 

The US representative for SAAB looked favorably on Walter’s design and provided him with some very special performance items not available to the public. The not yet released four speed transmission was one such item.  A minimum aluminum body was built to cover this car.

It was a very successful car right from the first race held on the Thompson race track in CT, taking a first in the 750 cc class, H modified, in SCCA classification. 

Unknown driver taking the checkered flag at Thompson

The Quantum went on to win many races, and won outright not just a class win. 

I am not sure of the history of the Quantum from the time Mr. Kern sold the car until I was able to buy it.

John Aibel wheeling the SAAB Quantum 1
PVGP 1995

The SAAB Quantum 1 at Lime Rock
John Aibel and daughter Candice 

Candice in the Quantum sizing it up!

I raced this car for years both at Lime Rock and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. It was the most dependable race car you could imagine. It provided me the opportunity to have a first class seat at these vintage races. I watched beautiful supercharged Alfa Romeo 1750, Jaguar SS-100, Fiat Abarth Zagato Double Bubble coupes, in close high speed racing. The thrill of a life time. The only DNF (Did Not Finish) was when a long screw punctured a tire during a race in Pittsburgh.

I finally sold this great car to SAAB people who are still vintage racing this great car.