A turbine-powered hardtop that proved turbines could move cars — but not why they should.
The Chrysler Turbine Car was an experimental two-door hardtop coupe designed by Elwood Engel and built by Chrysler with bodywork by Carrozzeria Ghia. It used the A-831 turbine engine, was produced in 55 units between 1963 and 1964, and featured power brakes, power steering, and a TorqueFlite transmission. All were finished in 'turbine bronze' paint.
An experimental two-door hardtop coupe designed by Elwood Engel, built by Chrysler with bodywork by Carrozzeria Ghia, manufactured in 1963–1964.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
The car uses a turbine engine that runs on many fuels. It has power brakes, power steering, and a TorqueFlite transmission. The driver experiences smooth, quiet propulsion without gear shifts or engine vibration.
What it gets right
It integrates turbine propulsion into a coherent two-door hardtop form. It uses Ghia’s craftsmanship to resolve Engel’s Thunderbird-derived silhouette. It commits to one colour — turbine bronze — as a total identity statement.
What it does not
It does not deliver torque characteristics suitable for conventional driving expectations. It does not reduce complexity in service or infrastructure. It does not scale beyond 55 units.
What it changed
It demonstrated turbine propulsion in a road-going body built for public evaluation. It did not change production automotive engineering, but it reframed how Chrysler presented technical risk to the public.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for engineers evaluating turbine viability, designers studying mid-century American-Italian collaboration, and historians tracking Detroit’s postwar experimentation. It is not for daily drivers, collectors seeking usability, or enthusiasts prioritising mechanical engagement.
Is it worth your time
Yes — as a document of industrial ambition and design convergence. Not as a functional alternative to piston-engine cars of its time.
