The Rise and Fall of Chrysler's Turbine Cars

🚗Chrysler made a groundbreaking effort to build turbine-powered cars for the public in the 1950s and 1960s.

💰The high cost of manufacturing the turbine engines, estimated to be $10,000 per engine, posed a major obstacle.

🌬️Turbine engines have fewer moving parts and are more fuel-flexible, but they emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx).

🔥The federal government's stricter emissions regulations added to the challenges faced by the turbine car program.

📉Chrysler downsized the turbine program and eventually abandoned it due to financial troubles.

How many turbine cars did Chrysler build?

—Chrysler built a fleet of 55 turbine cars.

What was the main obstacle to mass-producing turbine cars?

—The high cost of manufacturing the turbine engines, estimated to be $10,000 per engine, made it financially unfeasible.

What were the advantages of turbine engines?

—Turbine engines have fewer moving parts, run smoother, and can burn various fuels like gasoline, kerosene, and diesel.

What were the emissions challenges faced by turbine engines?

—Turbine engines emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which became a concern with stricter emissions regulations.

Why did Chrysler eventually abandon the turbine car program?

—Chrysler downsized the program due to financial troubles and the inability to meet emissions regulations.

00:00Chrysler made significant advancements in turbine car technology in the 1950s and 1960s.

03:35Chrysler built a fleet of 55 turbine cars and allowed people to drive them for two months.

08:59The high cost of manufacturing turbine engines, estimated to be $10,000 per engine, posed a major obstacle.

09:35Turbine engines have fewer moving parts, run smoother, and can burn various fuels, but they emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx).

09:40Stricter emissions regulations and financial troubles led to the downsizing and eventual abandonment of the turbine car program.