1963 Chrysler Turbine

Chrysler experimented with turbine-powered cars in the 1950s which was a natural extension of the jet-inspired styling of the period. Turbines were seen as a possible replacement for the internal combustion engine. They were lighter, smoother, and simpler. Also, they offered fuel flexibility and potentially lower manufacturing costs.

The introduction of the 1963 Chrysler turbine-power car marked the first time an automobile company had committed to building more than one or two gas turbine vehicles and releasing them for driving and evaluation by the public. By 1964, Chrysler began consumer testing, placing a fleet of 50 turbine cars in customers' hands, for three-month shifts. 200 lucky consumers got to amaze and confound their neighbors, by driving the coolest-sounding cars ever built. Initial testing revealed concerns with overheating if drivers didn't monitor engine temperature and speed. This caused stress cracks where the turbine wheel met the impeller.

The engine produced 130 peak horsepower at 44,610 rpm, but they made 425-foot pounds of useable torque. They idled at 21,000 rpm and had exhaust temperatures of 1,750 degrees. Most of the cars were scrapped after the program. There are nine cars remaining of the fifty. Chrysler retains three. There are two operational examples of the two-door, four-passenger hardtops.

The advantages of the engine were decreased maintenance, longer engine life, and other operating advantages. The public was invited to drive them for free, in three-month increments, with over 200 families participating in the program.