1963 Chrysler Turbine Car
Chrysler’s gas-turbine engineering experiment tested by ordinary drivers.
1963 Chrysler Turbine Car med karosseri bygd av Ghia. · Wikimedia Commons / photographer & licence ↗
History and significance
Chrysler’s gas-turbine engineering experiment tested by ordinary drivers. The body, powertrain and equipment distinguished this version from related mass-produced models.
Its central mechanical specification was Chrysler A-831 gassturbin; period output is usually cited as 130 hp (ofte oppgitt) / høyt dreiemoment via reduksjonsgir. Factory ratings from the era require care when compared with modern SAE net figures.
The commonly quoted production figure is 55, covering five prototypes plus 50 customer-test cars, not 55 retail customer cars. Original documentation is particularly important when identifying rare variants. The photograph shows the model discussed in this article.
Why so few?
The production figure applies to: five prototypes plus 50 customer-test cars, not 55 retail customer cars.