Built in the USA, Ignored by Sweden: The $57K Saab Quantum III Story

Saab’s Most Elusive Concept Just Found a New Home

In early May 2025, an extremely rare piece of Saab history quietly changed hands on Bring a Trailer for $57,000. But this wasn’t a typical vintage Saab. This was the Quantum III, one of only three ever built, a concept developed in the early 1960s as a potential American-built sports car for Saab. With a reserve initially set at $60,000, the seller eventually lowered the bar to $50,000, sealing the deal with a passionate high bidder. While the final sale price doesn’t rival blue-chip classics, for the Saab community, this was a milestone. The Quantum III isn’t just rare—it’s nearly mythical.

A Concept Born in Massachusetts, Not Trollhättan

The Quantum III wasn’t a product of Saab’s Swedish headquarters. It was the brainchild of Walter Kern, an amateur racer and nuclear physicist at MIT. Kern’s vision was simple: combine Saab’s bulletproof two-stroke engineering with lightweight, American-designed fiberglass bodies. His Quantum Motor Corporation built the Quantum III in 1962, following earlier iterations like the Quantum I and II, and it was specifically intended to win over Saab Motors USA.

Presented at the 1962 New York Auto Show, the Quantum III was a bold attempt to introduce a Saab-based roadster tailored for the American market. The striking design, which echoed the lines of a scaled-down Jaguar E-Type, stood in stark contrast to Saab’s typically upright and functional design ethos. Yet, despite the attention it drew, Saab Sweden ultimately passed on the project. Only three Quantum IIIs were completed before the project pivoted to the Quantum IV—a single-seat, formula-style kit car.

A Lightweight Powerhouse With Saab DNA

What made the Quantum III so compelling wasn’t just its rarity—it was the engineering purity behind it. The example sold on Bring a Trailer is powered by an 841cc Saab three-cylinder two-stroke engine, mated to a four-speed manual transaxle mounted ahead of the engine. The configuration is reversed compared to the standard Saab 96 layout, resulting in a true front-mid-engine setup.

The car features a custom tubular steel chassis, faired-in headlamps, 15-inch steel wheels with Saab-branded covers, a fiberglass body, and an aerodynamic profile that remains striking even today. Triple carburetors and a black Saab air cleaner complete the mechanical setup. With a curb weight reportedly under 1,800 lbs, this Quantum III offers a visceral, engaging driving experience that even modern sports cars struggle to replicate.

Interior Minimalism With a Vintage Touch

Step inside the Quantum III and you’re met with black leather bucket seats, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and VDO instrumentation that includes a 120-mph speedometer and a 6,000-rpm tachometer. There are no gimmicks here—no screens, no driver aids, no digital distractions. Just an honest, analog driving machine. The cockpit reflects 1960s racing minimalism, with only the essentials: speed, fuel, temperature, and your own sense of control.

A soft top and convertible frame were included in the sale, although this car was clearly designed for open-air motoring. It was previously displayed at the Newport Car Museum in Rhode Island and was described as being in excellent mechanical condition, with recent service including a coolant flush and battery replacement.

Why Saab Said No—And Why It Still Hurts

One of the most baffling aspects of the Quantum III story is why Saab never gave it the green light. Enthusiasts who’ve followed the Quantum saga suspect a classic case of “NIH Syndrome”—Not Invented Here. Saab’s engineers in Sweden reportedly didn’t approve of the reverse-engineered layout, nor the idea of an American-designed Saab concept. At the time, the company was already developing the Sonett I and II, and investing in another fiberglass roadster likely seemed redundant.

But many in the community view this as a missed opportunity. The Quantum III had cleaner proportions and a more balanced stance than any production Sonett. Had it gone into production, it might have redefined Saab’s identity in the US long before the turbocharged revolution of the late 1970s and ’80s.

The Auction: A Deep Dive Into Enthusiast Commentary

The Bring a Trailer auction drew a wave of attention from Saab collectors, former Quantum owners, and automotive historians. Comments ranged from nostalgic recollections to technical deep dives. One user recalled racing a Quantum in vintage events alongside Alfa Romeos and Jags. Another noted that Saab’s engineers had to custom-machine reverse-cut gears for the distributor and oil pump to function correctly in the mid-engine layout.

One of the original builder’s sons even commented, adding rich context about the car’s development and storage history. The final bidder, known online as @Virtualrobco, was congratulated by the seller in a moment that felt like the changing of a guardian, not just the handover of a car.

Why This Sale Matters to the Saab Community

The $57,000 hammer price may not shock Pebble Beach attendees, but for Saab enthusiasts, it’s a significant number. It signals that there is still real value placed on Saab’s experimental and obscure creations. It also helps elevate the broader conversation around Saab’s American legacy, one that includes not just the quirky 99s and 900s of later years, but also the creative, independent spirit of people like Walter Kern.

This sale could spur more visibility for other forgotten Saab projects and prototypes, particularly in North America. And with only two other Quantum IIIs in existence, the model just became a whole lot more collectible.

Final Thoughts: Saab’s Alternate Future on Four Wheels

Had Saab taken the Quantum III into production, the company’s trajectory might have looked very different. Lighter, sportier, and unmistakably bold, this little red roadster could have carved out a niche that no other Saab before or since dared to touch.

Today, it stands as a symbol of what could have been. A Saab designed for the American driver, with lines worthy of Italian coachbuilders and an engineering heart that still beats with two-stroke rhythm.

For now, one more Quantum III survives—restored, respected, and back in motion.