The car that could run on tequila, perfume, and peanut oil
In short: In the 1960s, Chrysler attempted to replace the piston engine with a jet turbine. The result was a luxury coupe that could fly across the country on almost any fuel imaginable, from kerosene to perfume, though it ultimately fell victim to the era's burgeoning emissions standards.
The Chrysler Turbine Car program began in the late 1930s, driven by executive engineer George Huebner. The goal was to leverage the simplicity of turbine technology—which has fewer moving parts than piston engines—to create a more durable and lower-maintenance vehicle. By the mid-1950s, Chrysler was a leader in gas turbine research, eventually mating a turbine to a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere. This prototype proved the engine's viability, weighing 200 pounds less than conventional engines and requiring significantly less maintenance.
The pinnacle of this research was the A-831 engine, which powered the production Turbine Car between 1963 and 1964. This fourth-generation engine was a marvel of engineering: it required no antifreeze, radiator, connecting rods, or crankshafts. It was remarkably versatile, capable of running on diesel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, JP-4 jet fuel, and even unusual substances like furnace oil or soybean oil. Its high-tech construction meant it could start in temperatures as low as -20 °F, though the exotic materials and investment casting methods made it incredibly expensive to manufacture.
Despite its technical brilliance, the car faced practical hurdles. A public user program involving 203 drivers across 133 cities revealed issues with its complicated starting procedure, relatively unimpressive acceleration, and high noise levels. While the engines were durable and smooth, they struggled to meet the government emissions regulations that eventually ended the program in 1979. Today, only nine of the 55 original cars remain, including one in the private collection of comedian Jay Leno.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Chrysler Turbine Car
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/wars-chrysler-turbine-car.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Wars since 1945 · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics
