Object Details
- Description
- As America soared into the Jet Age, Chrysler touted the possible advantages of aircraft-style automobile engines over piston engines. In 1963 and 1964, Chrysler assembled 50 automobiles with turbine engines for consumer testing. Special turbo motif bodies made by Ghia in Turin, Italy visually highlighted the futuristic promise of jet power. Three families in the Baltimore area and one in the Washington area took turns driving this car. The turbine engine was smoother and simpler than piston engines, but poor fuel efficiency, high emissions levels, and a peculiar lag when accelerating helped to kill the chances of a mass-produced turbine-engine car.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- Chrysler Corporation
- Date made
- 1964
- Credit Line
- Gift of Chrysler Corporation through William P. Stempien
- Measurements
- overall: 5 ft x 6 1/8 ft x 16 11/16 ft; 1.524 m x 1.85928 m x 5.07797 m
- Object Name
- car
- automobile
- automobile, turbine
