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- Schematic Diagram of Chrysler Corporation Gas Turbine, 1950-1959 - In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 cars with gas turbine engines to potential customers. The engine's regenerator, shown in this diagram, was designed to increase fuel economy. Chrysler claimed its gas turbine engine would get comparable miles-per-gallon to a piston engine, but users complained about poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- March 14, 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Schematic Diagram of Chrysler Corporation Gas Turbine, 1950-1959
In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 cars with gas turbine engines to potential customers. The engine's regenerator, shown in this diagram, was designed to increase fuel economy. Chrysler claimed its gas turbine engine would get comparable miles-per-gallon to a piston engine, but users complained about poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- "The Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car," 1963 - Chrysler's experiments with gas turbine automobiles hit a peak in 1963 when the company lent 50 operating prototypes to the public to gain real-world feedback. With no reciprocating parts, the turbine engine was far smoother than a piston engine. It could run on anything from kerosene to perfume. But the car's fuel mileage -- around 11 miles per gallon -- was underwhelming.
- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
"The Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car," 1963
Chrysler's experiments with gas turbine automobiles hit a peak in 1963 when the company lent 50 operating prototypes to the public to gain real-world feedback. With no reciprocating parts, the turbine engine was far smoother than a piston engine. It could run on anything from kerosene to perfume. But the car's fuel mileage -- around 11 miles per gallon -- was underwhelming.
- "History of Chrysler Corporation Gas Turbine Vehicles," 1966 - This publication documents Chrysler Corporation's efforts to develop a practical gas-turbine-powered vehicle. Many companies experimented with gas turbine cars after World War II, but only Chrysler put them into the public's hands. In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 prototype turbine-powered cars to potential customers to get real-world feedback, but the idea never made it into regular production.
- August 01, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
"History of Chrysler Corporation Gas Turbine Vehicles," 1966
This publication documents Chrysler Corporation's efforts to develop a practical gas-turbine-powered vehicle. Many companies experimented with gas turbine cars after World War II, but only Chrysler put them into the public's hands. In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 prototype turbine-powered cars to potential customers to get real-world feedback, but the idea never made it into regular production.
- "1963 Chrysler Gas Turbine Sedan" Clip from Jay Leno's Garage (www.jaylenosgarage.com), 2011 - Television host and stand-up comedian Jay Leno is an avid vehicle collector. Housed in Leno's "Big Dog Garage" in Southern California, his collection spans 100 years of automotive history, with antique vehicles, hot rods, muscle cars, steam cars, and electric cars. The collection also has a number of rare cars and over sixty motorcycles, including a turbine motorcycle.
- April 05, 2011
- Collections - Artifact
"1963 Chrysler Gas Turbine Sedan" Clip from Jay Leno's Garage (www.jaylenosgarage.com), 2011
Television host and stand-up comedian Jay Leno is an avid vehicle collector. Housed in Leno's "Big Dog Garage" in Southern California, his collection spans 100 years of automotive history, with antique vehicles, hot rods, muscle cars, steam cars, and electric cars. The collection also has a number of rare cars and over sixty motorcycles, including a turbine motorcycle.
- Driver's Guide for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1963 - This operator's manual is for one of the 50 gas turbine powered cars Chrysler lent to selected drivers in 1963. The company wanted real-world feedback from potential customers. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
Driver's Guide for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1963
This operator's manual is for one of the 50 gas turbine powered cars Chrysler lent to selected drivers in 1963. The company wanted real-world feedback from potential customers. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- C. Spencer King in New York City Showing the Rover Gas Turbine Prototype Car T.4, 1962 - The Rover Company, Ltd., a British-based car company, experimented with passenger-car gas turbine engines after World War II. This 1962 publicity photo shows Spencer King, Rover's chief designer, pointing out the engine's features in this Rover T4. The car had been shipped to America for display at the New York International Auto Show. The car never went into production.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
C. Spencer King in New York City Showing the Rover Gas Turbine Prototype Car T.4, 1962
The Rover Company, Ltd., a British-based car company, experimented with passenger-car gas turbine engines after World War II. This 1962 publicity photo shows Spencer King, Rover's chief designer, pointing out the engine's features in this Rover T4. The car had been shipped to America for display at the New York International Auto Show. The car never went into production.
- Chrysler Turbine Automobile Engine, 1964 - Chrysler experimented with gas turbine engines for some 25 years. This fourth-generation version had 80 percent fewer moving parts than a piston engine. Its twin regenerators used exhaust heat to pre-warm air fed to the burner. Chrysler turbine engines powered 50 cars tested by the public. Drivers appreciated the smooth ride and low maintenance, but not the poor fuel economy.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Chrysler Turbine Automobile Engine, 1964
Chrysler experimented with gas turbine engines for some 25 years. This fourth-generation version had 80 percent fewer moving parts than a piston engine. Its twin regenerators used exhaust heat to pre-warm air fed to the burner. Chrysler turbine engines powered 50 cars tested by the public. Drivers appreciated the smooth ride and low maintenance, but not the poor fuel economy.
- Sales Brochure for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1966 - Chrysler's experiments with gas turbine automobiles hit a peak in 1963 when the company lent 50 operating prototypes to the public to gain real-world feedback. With no reciprocating parts, the turbine engine was far smoother than a piston engine. It could run on anything from kerosene to perfume. But the car's fuel mileage -- around 11 miles per gallon -- was underwhelming.
- 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Brochure for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1966
Chrysler's experiments with gas turbine automobiles hit a peak in 1963 when the company lent 50 operating prototypes to the public to gain real-world feedback. With no reciprocating parts, the turbine engine was far smoother than a piston engine. It could run on anything from kerosene to perfume. But the car's fuel mileage -- around 11 miles per gallon -- was underwhelming.
- "Gas Turbines - Full Story," Motor Trend Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 9, September 1953 - In 1953, <em>Motor Trend</em> magazine sponsored a contest for readers interested in careers in automotive design. Entrants submitted drawings, sketches, and photos showing their design proposals, along with essays predicting automotive design trends over the next ten years. Five winners each received a $2,000 scholarship to the prestigious Art Center School in Los Angeles.
- September 01, 1953
- Collections - Artifact
"Gas Turbines - Full Story," Motor Trend Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 9, September 1953
In 1953, Motor Trend magazine sponsored a contest for readers interested in careers in automotive design. Entrants submitted drawings, sketches, and photos showing their design proposals, along with essays predicting automotive design trends over the next ten years. Five winners each received a $2,000 scholarship to the prestigious Art Center School in Los Angeles.
- 1963 Chrysler Gas Turbine Sedan - Many companies experimented with gas turbine cars after World War II. But only Chrysler actually put them into the public's hands. In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 of these head turners to potential customers to get real-world feedback. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
1963 Chrysler Gas Turbine Sedan
Many companies experimented with gas turbine cars after World War II. But only Chrysler actually put them into the public's hands. In 1963, Chrysler lent 50 of these head turners to potential customers to get real-world feedback. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.