Chrysler turbine car

[jsbhike]

Very neat

[utahjeepr]

Those were way cool. Conceptually. From what I hear they were loud, slow off the line, and got crappy mileage. I had thought Chrysler crushed them all until recent stories about them.

In modern use, I would think a small GTC engine harnessed to run a generator could be of potential in a hybrid type application. I think it would be damned viable for locomotive power trains as well.

[jsbhike]

From what I hear they were loud, slow off the line, and got crappy mileage.

I think they were low maintenance which I have read is the case with jet turbine aircraft which was/is considered to occasionally be a positive attribute over increased fuel use.

If that is correct, I would assume that would have been something of a plus for the Chrysler for a few years with cheap gas until the 70's kicked in.

I think that particular loud would have been cool at least for awhile.

[utahjeepr]

Definitely longer maintenance intervals, longer life, less moving parts, etc. That's one of the upsides for turboprop aircraft.

I would love to see one of those Chryslers run in person. Maybe drive one. But with 3 operational in the world, I've got a better chance of hitting the powerball.

I'm not sure if one could be made to be practical today or not. Lots of improvement in gtc and turboshaft engines.

[Tony617]

Union Pacific Railroad had GTELs which were gas driven turbines. They used twice as much fuel compared to same horsepower diesel.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_GTELs

[AKDoug]

Ford built a prototype turbine semi in 1964.. https://www.thedrive.com/news/37925/...st-for-decades

[Pacific5th]

As stated above Union Pacific RR bought a bunch of turbine powered train engines in the 50/60’s. They were loud, like break window glass loud. They also had to put heat shields on overpass’s so they didn’t melt the asphalt. They were 5000-8500 HP and could pull the world but they were very big fuel hogs as idle and low speed and train engines especially freight engines spend a lot of time at low speeds. They lasted till the 70’s.

I also read recently about a Ford semi they built with a turbine engine.

[hotrodder636]

Saw one at the Petersen museum in LA. It was pretty cool.

[AndyLate]

Sounds like an APU, I'll pass. I'm not going to lie, I want a flashing red light in my door when its open now, and that trunk lid, wow!

I have always loved the turbine car look more than the idea of the powerplant inside. Chrysler could have damped down the styling jut a smidge and built the coolest (413 powered) 300 car ever.

Andy

[Vandal]

The Granatelli STP turbine powered Indy car was pretty spectacular too. It rolled out in the late 60s and made a good splash at Indy, but no turbine car ever won there.

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1...bine-indy-car/