Object Details
maker
Chrysler Corporation
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
Credit Line
Gift of Chrysler Corporation through William P. Stempien
Date made
1964
ID Number
TR.328002
accession number
272376
catalog number
328002
serial number
991245
Object Name
car
automobile
automobile, turbine
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
place made
Italy: Piedmont, Turin
United States: Michigan
used
United States: District of Columbia, Washington
United States: Maryland
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Automobiles
America on the Move
Transportation
Road Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_687503