Chrysler 1963 Turbine Car Walkaround

Chrysler Corporation funded studies of turbine power plants that in 1954 resulted in a turbine-powered Plymouth Belvedere followed in 1956 by another Plymouth with a similar engine.  Then in the early 1960s other experimental turbine vehicles were built and tested.  1962 saw the construction of five prototypes bearing Chrysler-styled, Ghia-built bodies and Chrysler innards.  These were followed by a short production run of 50 cars used for both publicity and testing by potential customers.  This is explained in the Wikipedia entry here.  I wrote about some of the styling development here.

After the testing program was completed, 46 of those turbine cars were destroyed.  Remaining cars are either in the manufacturer's hands or in museums.  However, one that at the time was in private hands (2021) was auctioned and later placed in a museum.  Walkaround photos below are of that car.

Elwood Engel became head of Chrysler styling in November 1961 following a career at Ford where he was responsible for the successful designs of the 1961 Continental and Ford Thunderbird.  The character of the latter was carried over to the 1963 Turbine Car.

Black and white photos above are from Chrysler, those in the Gallery are from Hyman, Ltd.

Gallery

Those jet intake designs surrounding the headlights might or might not be functional.  These being concept cars of a sort, front bumper protection is questionable.

Those headlight area assemblies shout "jet-propelled," but unbalance the car's overall design as seen from this angle.

From the side we see early-1960s Elwood Engel styling themes, especially the blind greenhouse quarter panels and the chrome strip atop the fender.

The rear shows more jet-fighter jazz grafted onto what might well be a Ford Thunderbird.

Those "exhaust nozzles" are placed too close to the car's centerline for my visual comfort.  And, though cutlines are hard to spot, there is indeed a trunk lit.  The spare tire takes up the central part of the trunk, leaving little room for suitcases.

The grey area below the low character line helps to visually reduce the body's already low height.  The car looks good seen from the side.

I'm not sure about those parallel strips on the front fender.  They aren't functional in any sense, and add nothing to the design composition.

Interior view.  Note the odd turbine-feature towards the front of the seat divider.  More concept car jazz.