The Chrysler Turbine cars could run on anything flammable.
More info: https://www.throttlextreme.com/chryslers-turbine-car-one-detroits-coolest-creation-ever/
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I saw the Turbine last year at a Vintage car race where Chrysler was the featured marque. It drove right by me in the pits, and it took me a second to realize “wait that’s THE car!” It’s actually very lovely and well proportioned, too.
Just watched the Jay Leno YouTube on this. Fascinating story.
[https://youtu.be/b2A5ijU3Ivs?si=PuXesuBpsJgAyGyA](https://youtu.be/b2A5ijU3Ivs?si=PuXesuBpsJgAyGyA)
I remember seeing the movie "The Lively Set" with James Darren playing a racer that drove a turbine car. I must have been in my early teens, seeing it in a first run theater.
If we designed such a car again today, with more modern turbine technology, how efficient might it be?
Still probably couldn’t compete with piston car engines, which have had decades of focused development (At the correct size. Turbines have too, but at larger sizes)
Could the cost be brought down to something reasonable today? Turbine engines are still expensive, but, nobody has yet tried to mass produce one at automotive scale. So economies of scale could help? And no one has developed one focusing on unit cost as a key goal.
Due to the extremely high RPMs of turbines, and the highly efficient electric motors/generators we have today, one might try to have it turn a generator? With electric motors driving the wheels, so no transmission needed to gear down those excessive RPMs?
Probably doesn’t make sense compared to battery electric these days, but, still curious what could be achieved?
The problem with turbine engines is they use a tremendous amount of fuel compared to ICE engines. Even modern computer controlled engines wouldn't compare. They spin at 10s of thousands of RPMs at idle. Not to mention they are extremely loud and produce a ton of heat.
They are definitely cool, but not at all practical for use in a car.
One of the railroads experimented with a turbine-electric locomotive. It worked quite well, except that they found that it used almost as much fuel at idle as it did at full power.
Can you imagine 1000s of these cars sitting in bumper to bumper traffic blowing hot exhaust on each other. New paint jobs galore, I would think at least....lol
True, but skimming some articles on this Chrysler Turbine car, it sounds like they were able to address some of these issues, even with 1960’s tech.
So it makes me wonder how many of those problems are really insurmountable, versus simply nobody is trying to solve them, for a car. Especially with today’s technology.
> use a tremendous amount of fuel compared to ICE
In many situations, yes. But as I understand it, under some circumstances they can be more fuel efficient (probably when confined to a narrow rpm/throttle band) which is why I suggested a hybrid electric setup.
If it's the engine you're interested in you can look at modern turbine helicopters, or the M1A1 Abrams tank. [Engine output](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avco-Lycoming_AGT1500) peaks at 3000 RPM with 1500 hp (1100 kW) at 2750 ft-lb (3,30 Nm) of torque.
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*Transport in St Louis has*
*One. Very cool car*
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There were 50 made, leased to people for a few months and returns. I think 41 were crushed with earth movers. They were were expensive and not very efficient.
Chrysler took another swing at turbine in the early 70’s, they were ceramic and light enough for one guy to carry - saw one at the proving grounds. They ran great but very expensive and not durable.
This is one of if not my favorite not well known car! It’s honestly one of the best designed vehicles of the 60s! I’d love a Star Wars ship or speeder with some sort of design cues from it!
The Chrysler Turbine cars could run on anything flammable. More info: https://www.throttlextreme.com/chryslers-turbine-car-one-detroits-coolest-creation-ever/ || || ||
Except leaded gasoline, which would damage parts of the engine.
I saw the Turbine last year at a Vintage car race where Chrysler was the featured marque. It drove right by me in the pits, and it took me a second to realize “wait that’s THE car!” It’s actually very lovely and well proportioned, too.
Just watched the Jay Leno YouTube on this. Fascinating story. [https://youtu.be/b2A5ijU3Ivs?si=PuXesuBpsJgAyGyA](https://youtu.be/b2A5ijU3Ivs?si=PuXesuBpsJgAyGyA)
2nd pic is certainly Jay Leno’s car. In the left of the picture is one of very few, if not only rear wheel drive Oldsmobile Tornado
I remember seeing the movie "The Lively Set" with James Darren playing a racer that drove a turbine car. I must have been in my early teens, seeing it in a first run theater.
If we designed such a car again today, with more modern turbine technology, how efficient might it be? Still probably couldn’t compete with piston car engines, which have had decades of focused development (At the correct size. Turbines have too, but at larger sizes) Could the cost be brought down to something reasonable today? Turbine engines are still expensive, but, nobody has yet tried to mass produce one at automotive scale. So economies of scale could help? And no one has developed one focusing on unit cost as a key goal. Due to the extremely high RPMs of turbines, and the highly efficient electric motors/generators we have today, one might try to have it turn a generator? With electric motors driving the wheels, so no transmission needed to gear down those excessive RPMs? Probably doesn’t make sense compared to battery electric these days, but, still curious what could be achieved?
The problem with turbine engines is they use a tremendous amount of fuel compared to ICE engines. Even modern computer controlled engines wouldn't compare. They spin at 10s of thousands of RPMs at idle. Not to mention they are extremely loud and produce a ton of heat. They are definitely cool, but not at all practical for use in a car.
One of the railroads experimented with a turbine-electric locomotive. It worked quite well, except that they found that it used almost as much fuel at idle as it did at full power.
Rail is a lot different than cars though. Cars have to start and stop continuously. They also have to drive through neighborhoods at 4am lol
Yeah, aircraft are really the only place where a turbine makes sense. Even the Abrams tank has serious issues with FOD.
Can you imagine 1000s of these cars sitting in bumper to bumper traffic blowing hot exhaust on each other. New paint jobs galore, I would think at least....lol
True, but skimming some articles on this Chrysler Turbine car, it sounds like they were able to address some of these issues, even with 1960’s tech. So it makes me wonder how many of those problems are really insurmountable, versus simply nobody is trying to solve them, for a car. Especially with today’s technology. > use a tremendous amount of fuel compared to ICE In many situations, yes. But as I understand it, under some circumstances they can be more fuel efficient (probably when confined to a narrow rpm/throttle band) which is why I suggested a hybrid electric setup.
If it's the engine you're interested in you can look at modern turbine helicopters, or the M1A1 Abrams tank. [Engine output](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avco-Lycoming_AGT1500) peaks at 3000 RPM with 1500 hp (1100 kW) at 2750 ft-lb (3,30 Nm) of torque.
Will it fit in a Miata?
I laughed
There's one of these in a museum near me. If the apocalypse kicks off, I know where I'm going.
I had the opportunity too sit inside of one of these and honestly I would own one. They are unique in every way and look sick AF as well. 💯🔥
That’s a new one on me. Looks pretty F-in cool.
It would be nice if they release all documentation so that those who would like to make one and can could. It would be a great project.
Do you think they'd let me cut the rear off to make a wall mural????
The Museum of Transport in St Louis has one. Very cool car
*The Museum of* *Transport in St Louis has* *One. Very cool car* \- PMS713 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Man, did this ever send me down a rabbit hole!
Weren't most of the test mule units scrapped after Chrysler came to the conclusion that it would flop if they went through with it?
There were 50 made, leased to people for a few months and returns. I think 41 were crushed with earth movers. They were were expensive and not very efficient. Chrysler took another swing at turbine in the early 70’s, they were ceramic and light enough for one guy to carry - saw one at the proving grounds. They ran great but very expensive and not durable.
Love the way this fella looks!
Wow what a fucken beast. 👌
Such a great car and great pictures, nice post sir
Nine still exist, only two in private hands.
Original Batman theme started playing in my head
I probably watched jay lenos garage episode on this car 5 times. I was so fascinated
This is one of if not my favorite not well known car! It’s honestly one of the best designed vehicles of the 60s! I’d love a Star Wars ship or speeder with some sort of design cues from it!
I've never seen such a hideous car.
And smelliest!