What kind of transmission does a Chrysler Turbine have?
Chrysler Turbine Car. The car's design was created by Elwood Engel and the Chrysler studios. A two-door hardtop coupe, it featured power brakes, power steering, and a TorqueFlite transmission, and was coated with a metallic, root beer -colored paint known as "turbine bronze".
How are turbine engines used in automobiles?
For automotive applications, turbines were usually applied in one of two ways. They could use a direct-drive system where the engine directly powers the wheels through a transmission—just like with a typical internal combustion motor—or a hybrid system where the turbine powers a system of electric motors in the car.
How do wind turbines power cars?
They could use a direct-drive system where the engine directly powers the wheels through a transmission—just like with a typical internal combustion motor—or a hybrid system where the turbine powers a system of electric motors in the car.
How many Chrysler turbines were made?
The classic Turbine was so unique that Chrysler only ever produced 55 of them. Only 5 of them were prototypes, while 50 limited edition Chrysler Turbines were built for a public user program. After more than 1mn miles of testing the cars, the results showed several flaws that needed work and several inspiring advantages too.
How did Chrysler Turbine Car work?
Of the Detroit producers, only Chrysler seemed as serious about turbine-powered automobiles; Ford and GM put most of their turbine emphasis on trucks. Like a jet, the turbine's basic element is a wheel ringed with blades or vanes; a fuel/air mixture flows past the vanes, causing the wheel to rotate and produce power.
How did the Turbine Car work?
The vast majority of cars on our roads are powered by piston-engined internal combustion engines. A gas turbine, however, has no pistons. Instead, air is compressed and fed into a combustion chamber, into which fuel is sprayed. The fuel/air mixture is then ignited and the gases produced are used to power a turbine.
What fuel does a Chrysler Turbine use?
The Chrysler Turbine Car went to test markets in 1963 and was capable of being driven using anything from diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, JP-4 jet fuel, and as far down the list as vegetable oil.
Was the Chrysler Turbine Car fast?
It averages 107.8 mph, with a top speed of 142 mph.
How much is a Chrysler Turbine Car worth?
It had a unique look to it, thanks to its beautiful wheels and a very well designed grille that matched the root beer color combination known as "turbine bronze" perfectly. The production cost for an individual car was estimated to be around $50,000, which amounts to over $450,000 today, after adjusting inflation.
How does a jet powered car work?
Unlike a conventional ICE motor, a gas turbine engine works by using compressed air, fed through a combustion chamber into which fuel is sprayed, with the fuel/air mixture then ignited, the resultant gases produced being used to power a turbine.
What was the gas mileage of Chrysler Turbine Car?
Equipped with a fourth-generation Chrysler turbine engine, the Turbine car was able to get 130 horsepower with 425 lb. -ft. of torque, and had a fuel economy of 14.5 mpg, 18-19 on the highway.
Can a turbine engine run on anything?
Industrial gas turbines can and do run on just about anything. There's a stream called "refinery gas" which translates to "anything lighter than pentane that the refinery doesn't want & can't store". This includes hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons.
Can turbine engines use any fuel?
Turbine engines (like diesel engines) can operate with a wide range of fuels because fuel is injected into the hot combustion chamber.
How efficient are turbine engines?
Modern units can have compressor efficiencies of 86–88 percent and turbine efficiencies of 88–90 percent at design conditions.
Can you run a car on tequila?
According to Revivaler, he used tequila to power it. It ran beautifully. Chrysler's limited production gas turbine car that ran on tequila came to be known as The Bronze Blowtorch. While Ford tried this in the 1950s by installing a Boeing gas turbine in the popular Ford Thunderbird, it stopped there.
Does Jay Leno own a Chrysler Turbine Car?
Jay Leno owns a Chrysler Turbine Car--one of only two running examples in private hands. Because he bought it directly from Chrysler, he is the first owner of the machine seen here: Number 34, according to a polished piece of trim located on the inner windshield trim.
When was the Chrysler turbine car made?
Chrysler made the Chrysler Turbine Car for a very short period between 1963 and 1964. The brand experimented with turbine cars around that time, and the Chrysler Turbine Car was the crowning jewel of this time. That’s partially due to the bronze color of the vehicle.
How much horsepower does a Chrysler turbine have?
In a 2006 article by MotorTrend, it stated the Chrysler Turbine Car had 130 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The 1964 model had a two-stage gas turbine engine and a three-speed automatic engine.
How much is a Chrysler Turbine Car worth?
Chrysler made the Chrysler Turbine Car for a very short period between 1963 and 1964. The brand experimented with turbine cars around that time, and the Chrysler Turbine Car was the crowning jewel of this time. That’s partially due to the bronze color of the vehicle.
What kind of oil does a turbine car use?
The same article suggested the turbine car could drive on kerosene, jet fuel, diesel, grade furnace oil , or even soybean oil. Some of the cars went to families to test while others went on a sort of cross-country tour. The automaker eventually had the Ghia company produce the Chrysler Turbine Car cars in Italy, which is where the problems started.
What color was the Chrysler Turbine Car?
It was only offered in a bronze paint color called Turbine Bronze. It had two doors, a hardtop roof, power brakes, power steering, and power windows.
What year did Chrysler build the jet car?
Chrysler built one car a week until all 50 vehicles were completed in October of 1964 . The company called this initiative the Chrysler Turbine program. The turbine engine had many advantages and sounded like a jet, hence the name “jet car.” It had fewer moving parts, and it would run on any flammable liquid. In addition to that, drivers of the Turbine car found the engine was smooth and required less maintenance during the program.
How much did it cost to make a turbine engine?
For Chrysler to build a factory for turbine engines, there was an estimated cost of around $1 billion . The machines would have cost $10,000 per engine to produce. These days, these vehicles are priceless due.
What is a Chrysler turbine engine?
The Chrysler turbine engine is a series of gas turbine engines developed by Chrysler intended to be used in road vehicles. In 1954, Chrysler Corporation disclosed the development and successful road testing of a production model Plymouth sport coupe which was powered by a turbine engine.
What fuel did the Chrysler Turbine Car use?
This engine runs at up to 44,500 revolutions per minute, according to the owner's manual, and could operate using diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, JP-4 jet fuel, and even vegetable oil . The engine can run on virtually anything with combustible properties and "Chrysler claimed the turbine could gulp everything from peanut oil to Chanel No. 5 ." The then-incumbent President of Mexico tested this theory by running one of the first cars—successfully—on tequila, after Chrysler engineers confirmed that the car would operate successfully. No air/fuel adjustments are required to switch from one fuel type to another and the only evidence of which fuel was used is the odor of the exhaust.
How does a power turbine work?
The power turbine is connected, without a torque converter, through a gear reduction unit to an only moderately modified TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The flow of the combustion gases between the gas generator and free power turbine provides the same functionality as a torque converter but without using a conventional liquid medium. Twin rotating recuperators transfer exhaust heat to the inlet air, greatly improving fuel economy. Varying stator blades prevent excessive top end speeds, and provide engine braking on deceleration.
What engine did the 1966 Dodge Charger have?
A new coupe body, which was to become the 1966 Dodge Charger was considered for a new fifth-generation turbine engine. However, Chrysler went on to develop a sixth generation gas-turbine engine which finally met US nitrogen oxide regulations, and installed it in a 1966 Dodge Coronet, though it was never introduced to the public.
How many Chrysler cars were destroyed?
After the user testing period completed, Chrysler collected all of the cars, destroying 40 out of the original 50 Chrysler kept 2,then sending the remaining examples to museums.
Why did they use a combustor?
This was intended to spread the exhaust gases thinly and thus cool them further, in order to allow the vehicle to stand in traffic without risking damage to following traffic. The combustor, or burner, was primitive by the standards of modern turbojet engines.
When was the Chrysler Lebaron engine made?
A smaller, lighter, seventh generation engine was produced in the early 1970s, when the company received a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for further development, and a one-off, special bodied, turbine Chrysler LeBaron was built in 1977 as a prelude to a production run.
Why did Chrysler use a turbine?
This simplicity appealed greatly to Chrysler and others because it meant fewer parts, which implied less maintenance. For owners, the turbine promised operating smoothness unknown in reciprocating engines, because it produced rotary motion to begin with.
What was the best known Chrysler turbine car?
By: the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. Image Gallery: Concept CarsThe best-known Chrysler Turbine concept car was this bronze coupe. Chrysler lent 50 of them to 203 people between 1963 and 1966 for public test drives. See more concept car pictures.
How much horsepower does a 1977 Dodge Aspens have?
Initially installed in a pair of 1976 Dodge Aspens, this engine also powered a one-off T-roof coupe, basically a 1977 Chrysler LeBaron with knife-edge front fenders, hidden headlamps, and slim vertical grille. Horsepower was only 104 versus the sixth-generation's 150, but this newest turbine ran somewhat hotter, so 125 horsepower was available via water injection at the compressor inlet and repositioned inlet guide vanes.
Why was the Plymouth a turbine car?
For owners, the turbine promised operating smoothness unknown in reciprocating engines, because it produced rotary motion to begin with. This 1954 Plymouth was an early Chrysler turbine concept car.
When was the CR2A ready?
The third-generation CR2A was ready by 1960. Its two big advances were a pivoting fuel nozzle mechanism and first-stage turbine vanes that could assume one of three angles depending on throttle position.
What was the biggest problem with the Chrysler engine?
Nevertheless, Chrysler would solve or at least minimize all of these problems over some 25 years of development. High heat was the biggest problem. To attack it, Chrysler engineers under George Huebner, Jr., soon known as Highland Park's "Mr. Turbine," developed what they termed a "regenerator.".
What car company made the turbine?
Navy Bureau of Aeronautics in 1948), but didn't begin thinking about roadgoing applications until the mid-Fifties, perhaps inspired by Rover of Britain's 1952 experimental turbine car. Of the Detroit producers, only Chrysler seemed as serious about turbine-powered automobiles; Ford and GM put most of their turbine emphasis on trucks.
Why were the Chrysler turbine cars burned down?
45 Chrysler Turbine Cars were burned down and crushed at a scrap yard to the South of Detroit, while the others were destroyed at Chrysler's proving grounds at Chelsea. It is rumored that they were burned off to avoid significant tariffs on imported Ghia bodies. Even in a farrago of events, the company managed to make this car a unique, extremely limited edition gem for car lovers.
When was the Chrysler Turbine engine made?
Simply called the "Chrysler Turbine", this classic was produced between 1963 and 1964. Built with a rather smooth body, designed by Italian design studio "Ghia", the Turbine was assembled by Chrysler at Detroit. The idea behind the Turbine initiated in the 1930s with Chrysler's turbine engine program. The program created several demonstration cars enabled to complete long-distance trips on turbine engines in the 1950s and 1960s.
What cars did Ghia make?
The most notable cars that Ghia worked on, were the Imperial Limousine and Norseman. Chrysler Turbine bodies were shipped by Ghia from Italy to Detroit for final assembly. Like we mentioned earlier, about 50 identical cars were produced between October 1963 and October 1964.
How many Chrysler turbines were made?
The classic Turbine was so unique that Chrysler only ever produced 55 of them. Only 5 of them were prototypes, while 50 limited edition Chrysler Turbines were built for a public user program. After more than 1mn miles of testing the cars, the results showed several flaws that needed work and several inspiring advantages too. A key improvement on the way forward was installing a regenerator to resolve the heat exchange issue, working on the complicated starting procedure, and upgrading the relatively average acceleration. Eventually, Chrysler decided to take back all the cars and destroyed them, while only letting 9 cars survive. Two of these cars were kept by Chrysler, while two are in the hands of private collectors, and the remaining five are displayed at various museums in the US.
What is the purpose of the A-831 engine?
The Chrysler Turbine Car's A-831 engines were specifically aimed at economizing driving experience. The engine was built to operate on several fuels, last longer than the conventional piston engine, and cost very less on maintenance. Apart from diesel-fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, and JP-4 jet fuel, Chrysler claimed this engine was able to burn even the most unusual of fuels – everything from peanut or soya bean oil, and even perfume.
What fuel does a Chrysler engine use?
Apart from diesel-fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, and JP-4 jet fuel, Chrysler claimed this engine was able to burn even the most unusual of fuels – everything from peanut or soya bean oil, and even perfume. The classic Turbine was so unique that Chrysler only ever produced 55 of them.
How big was the turbine?
The 2-door coupe was powered by a TorqueFlite 3-speed transmission. It was 201.6 inches in length and 72.9 inches in width. With a curb weight of 1793 kgs, the car was surprisingly lighter than it looked.
How does a gas turbine work?
How Does a Gas Turbine Engine Work? The turbine is connected to the compressor using a shaft, so when fuel is burnt and the turbine is turned, the compressor actively pulls in more air and pushes it into the combustion chamber, keeping the power flowing.
When was the Chrysler Turbine made?
In 1963, they developed the most famous and widely produced turbine-powered car—appropriately called the Chrysler Turbine. 50 roadgoing models were built and given to members of the public for a free two-year lease, with a cumulative 1.1 million miles put on them from 1964 to 1966.
What Is a Gas Turbine Engine and How Does It Work?
Gas turbine engines come in different variants, but all styles share three critical components: a compressor fan to spin incoming air to high pressures, a combustion chamber where fuel is burnt to power the system, and a turbine spun by the burning of fuel.
Why Use a Gas Turbine Engine?
The first is that they have relatively few moving parts compared to a piston internal combustion engine and are theoretically more reliable as a result.
Who Started Using Gas Turbine Engines?
However, the first gas turbine engine for road use was built and driven by the UK manufacturer Rover in the JET1 developed in 1950.
What engine did the Lotus 56 use?
The Lotus 56 followed hot on its heels, attempting to win the Indianapolis 500 with the iconic wedge-shaped profile of Lotus open-wheeled cars for a decade to come but the same ST6 gas turbine engine that powered the STP Paxton Turbocar.
What is a jet1?
The JET1 was a concept roadster featuring a direct drive turbine motor that was intended to be the first of many Rover turbine models to come later, but it was dogged by terrible mileage (around 6 MPG) and relatively slow acceleration which kept them from releasing production models in the decades to come after it was built.
Overview
Testing
The first successful test of a gas turbine engine in a car (CR1) took place in 1954 at Chrysler's testing grounds. In 1956, the first successful cross-country trip using a turbine-engined car took place using a Plymouth Belvedere.
Further engineering work resulted in the second generation (CR2), which improved fuel economy and increased horsepower.
Development
Experimental and test engines were first operated in 1954. George Huebner and his group of research engineers were convinced that the engine was a viable project. It had challenges like fuel consumption had to be in the same range as standard reciprocating engines, components needed to be reduced in size and increased in efficiency, noise had to be reduced, acceleration time lag needed to be reduced and engine braking had to be introduced into the overall function. Addition…
Later development and project end
Chrysler's turbine engine program did not end with the Chrysler Turbine Car. A new coupe body, which was to become the 1966 Dodge Charger was considered for a new fifth-generation turbine engine. However, Chrysler went on to develop a sixth generation gas-turbine engine which finally met US nitrogen oxide regulations, and installed it in a 1966 Dodge Coronet, though it was never introduced to the public.
Engine series
• CR1 1954–1956: Plymouth Belvedere 4-door
• CR2 1956–1957: 1956 Plymouth Belvedere, 1957 Plymouth Fury
• CR2A 1960–1962: 1960 Plymouth Fury, 1962 Plymouth Fury (2), 1962 Dodge Dart (2), 1961 Dodge 2½ ton stake
See also
• Sam B. Williams
• Williams International