Even with all the fun and excitement surrounding the new Chrysler lineup here at Goss Dodge Chrysler, we like to take a look into the past every now and then. We were reminded of this after seeing a recent episode of Jay Leno's Garage, which showcased one of the rarest modern Chrysler vehicles out there.
Of course, we're talking about the Turbine Car, made by Chrysler for just two years from 1962 to 1964. The vehicle was a bold idea as they aimed to be the first-ever gas turbine-powered vehicles and offer an alternative to those that run on pistons. Only 55 of these vehicles were made, but ended up being shelved after their initial trial run. Still, they are a rich part of the Chrysler tradition, and we certainly were interested in learning more.
The Turbine Car certainly had plenty of style, and the one Leno owns - he is one of two known owners of the vehicle - definitely looks like something we'd love to cruise around the greater Burlington area in. The Chrysler Turbine Car boasted 130 horsepower and loads of torque, 425 pound-feet to be exact. But that's just where the interesting quirks begin.
The Turbine Car didn't have any moveable parts because of the turbine technology, so it was a very smooth ride. In the episode of Jay Leno's Garage, they actually test out the smoothness using a glass of water, which barely moves while the vehicle is running. Another interesting feature is the amount of fuel sources this classic Chrysler could run on. It included unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and believe it or not, vegetable oil.
While the Chrysler Turbine Car wasn't on the market long, you could argue it was very influential in the development of more efficient Chrysler parts, the awareness of alternative fuel and smoother, quieter engines.
At Goss Dodge Chrysler, we believe you can find some of those features here in the new Chrysler lineup at 1485 Shelburne Rd South Burlington, VT 05403. Stop by during regular business hours and we'd be more than happy to answer questions you might have and set up test drives.