When we hear the nuclear word, there are many people think it is a deadly weapon. The assumption as a deadly weapon is very reasonable considering its effect when it was used to destroy two cities in Japan, namely Hiroshima and Nagasaki to ended the 2nd World War.
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1958 Ford Nucleon looked a lot like the 1955 Mystere, a winged Ford concept car and it said would run on nuclear power, as opposed to gas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Lq58ux) |

Here's a list of nuclear powered concept cars that had been amazed automotive lovers at that time albeit never be produced:
1. Arbel Symetric
A French car manufacturer company called Compagnie Normande d'Etudes pour l'Application de Procédés Mécaniques, or usually called Arbel had exhibited a nuclear-powered car in the 1950s. In the era of the 50s, this company was indeed tasked with creating concept vehicles to be tested before being produced.
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1951 Arbel Symetric. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2EC13D3) |
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1954 Arbel Symetric. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2EC13D3) |
2. Ford Nucleon
The next nuclear concept car was made by Ford, a famous automotive giant from America, and was named Ford Nucleon. This is the most famous nuclear-powered vehicle, even though it never entered into the production line and was only made in a scale model of 3 : 8.
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1958 Ford Nucleon said to have twin steam turbines and a nuclear reactor in the trunk. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2PNnJkL) |
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1958 Ford Nucleon concept only made in a scale model of 3 : 8. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2A8t419) |
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1958 Ford Nucleon model at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rH658Q) |
3. Simca Fulgur
Beside the US, France seems to have a special interest in making of the nuclear-powered cars. At almost the same time as the appearance of Symetric and Nucleon at the 1958 Geneva Auto Show, Simca Fulgur also took the people's attention at that time.
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1958 Simca Fulgur concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LppyUv) |
4. Studebaker-Packard Astral
Of all the nuclear car concepts that have ever existed, it seems that the Studebaker-Packard Astral could be said to be the 'craziest' nuclear car concept. If it made into real car, it said can stand with one wheel by utilizing gyroscope technology.
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1958 Studebaker-Packard Astral concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2CmFILt) |
The Studebaker-Packard Astral was first shown at the South Bend Art Center in 1958 as the vehicle described by its creator as an "iconic machine". And to protect passengers from nuclear machine radiation, it will use a specifically designed cover and made of special materials as well.
The question is whether anybody out there who still wants nuclear power to be used to drive the car wheels today? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAUTOMOBILEANCIENNE | GIZMODO | CARSTYLING | CURBSIDE CLASSIC]
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