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Detroit is an odd example given that it's 'Motor City'. Chrysler built a jet powered car back when the original Beetle was in production. Then again nowadays it
by notional 6y ago
Detroit is an odd example given that it's 'Motor City'. Chrysler built a jet powered car back when the original Beetle was in production. Then again nowadays it's all about FCA putting the biggest engine in every model they can before they die off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Turbine_Car https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Turbine_Car
- rmason 6y agoExcept this was a company R&D project not an individual. When I was at Michigan State in the early seventies there was an EE prof who drove a battery powered VW that he built himself in his garage. I thought that it was cool, overwhelmingly everyone else thought he was eccentric. He told me the entire industry will go electric once someone invents a better battery. He thought it would happen by the year 2000. Sadly he passed away before the birth of Tesla.
- stickfigure 6y agoAnd the Chrysler turbine actually drove the wheels! Strapping a jet to a car is impressive engineering, no doubt, but mechanical propulsion is a whole different level.
- pinewurst 6y agoThat VW is actually powered by a helicopter turboshaft (a T58) that's been stripped of its shaft drive to just make thrust. In theory one could've driven the wheels.