Chrysler Turbine Car: The Classic Vehicle That Could Run on Any Fuel
Fuel Odyssey - For most people, turbine engines evoke images of roaring jets and spinning helicopter blades, not the quiet hum of a car cruising down the street. Yet the idea of putting these aircraft-inspired powerplants on wheels has intrigued engineers for decades. Even in modern times, vehicles like the MTT Y2K—a turbine-powered motorcycle—show that the fascination with turbine engines on land is far from over. But long before such experiments, Chrysler boldly introduced one of the most ambitious turbine-powered automobiles in history: the Chrysler Turbine Car.
The 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Picture from: GridOto)
At first glance, the Turbine Carlooked like a striking expression of 1960s American design rather than a radical experiment. This two-door hardtop coupe, styled by Elwood Engel at Chrysler’s studios, featured smooth yet confident lines and subtle tailfins that gave it both elegance and presence. Its metallic root-beer-colored paint, famously called “turbine bronze,” shimmered in sunlight, while the interior offered comfort and innovation with power steering, power brakes, and the automatic TorqueFlite transmission—features that made the driving experience feel futuristic for its time.
Right side view of the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car. (Picture from: FristArtMuseum)
The car’s true innovation lay under the hood. Instead of a conventional piston engine, it housed a turboshaft-style turbine similar to those in helicopters, designed to avoid the extreme exhaust hazards of jet engines. The A-831 turbine produced roughly 130 horsepower and an impressive 576 Nm of torque, delivering smooth, consistent power rather than sudden bursts. Unlike jet engines, this setup made the vehicle safe and practical for road use, blending mechanical ingenuity with real-world drivability.
The steering wheel and dashboard view of the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car.(Picture from: GridOto)
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Chrysler Turbine Car was its fuel flexibility. The engine could run on gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and a range of alternative fuels, adapting seamlessly to whatever was poured into the tank. In a way, it foreshadowed today’s conversations about energy diversity and sustainability. Alongside its long-lasting and low-maintenance design, this feature highlighted the inherent advantages of turbine engines—versatility and simplicity—though cost and complexity still posed significant challenges.
The turbine engine view of the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car.(Picture from: FristArtMuseum)
The Turbine Car was the product of an international collaboration. While Chrysler managed engineering and assembly in Detroit, the Italian design studio Ghia crafted its elegant body, merging American boldness with European craftsmanship. Between 1963 and 1964, Chrysler produced 55 units: five prototypes and fifty cars loaned to select members of the public as part of a pioneering real-world testing program. Drivers were fascinated by the engine’s smooth operation and quiet idle, though some noted throttle lag and higher fuel consumption compared to conventional engines.
Rear side view of the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan.(Picture from: GridOto)
Despite its promise, regulatory and economic hurdles brought the program to a close. Stricter emissions rules, relatively poor fuel efficiency, and high production costs made the turbine engine impractical for mass-market adoption. By 1966, most cars were destroyed, leaving only nine surviving examples—some retained by Chrysler, others in museums or private collections. Even after Chrysler formally ended its turbine program in 1979, the project remained a bold exploration of what vehicles could become.
Today, the Chrysler Turbine Car stands as a symbol of fearless innovation, bridging past curiosity with modern experimentation in alternative propulsion, much like the MTT Y2K demonstrates in a two-wheeled format. It reminds us that automotive progress is often defined by those willing to challenge conventions, imagine new possibilities, and ask daring questions about how machines can be powered—questions that remain as relevant now as they were in the 1960s. *** [EKA [23032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | GRIDOTO | FRISTARTMUSEUM ]
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Chrysler Turbine Car: The Classic Vehicle That Could Run on Any Fuel
Today, the Chrysler Turbine Car stands as a symbol of fearless innovation, bridging past curiosity with modern experimentation in alternative propulsion, much like the MTT Y2K demonstrates in a two-wheeled format. It reminds us that automotive progress is often defined by those willing to challenge conventions, imagine new possibilities, and ask daring questions about how machines can be powered—questions that remain as relevant now as they were in the 1960s. *** [EKA [23032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | GRIDOTO | FRISTARTMUSEUM ]
