The story of Turbo Titan, Chevrolet's long-lost gas turbine truck that almost made into production

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MotorHeads

MotorHeads

Күн бұрын

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@vehiclenanny
@vehiclenanny 3 жыл бұрын
My Dad was one of the Chevrolet engineers who worked on that truck in the 60s. In fact, he was one of a small handful who were allowed to drive it, as the turbine engine was pretty tricky. My Dad passed away in 2014, but prior to his death he shared his thoughts with me: "At the time Chevrolet was getting very serious about turbine engines. Although this was highly experimental. The key advantages were power and fuel economy and cheap fuel (Kerosene). The driveability was outstanding, however, the driver had to be extremely careful about monitoring turbine temperatures. The engine could not be used for braking as in internal combustion engines. I have no idea what happened to the vehicle. Since it was one of a kind, I assume they kept it in storage or scrapped it. As an added thought the disc steering wheels (the truck did not have a steering wheel--it had two small discs in front of the driver), if you remember, I had them installed on a passenger car for evaluation in normal driving situations (I do remember him bringing a car home with that dual-disk steering system. It could be moved over to the passenger as it was on a cable). This type of steering system was very novel at the time and required a lot of attention to normal driving. I kind of liked it but I do not think anybody else did!" My Dad is the passenger shown in many of the photos you will find online. He and one other guy drove it to the New York World's Fair (I think in 1966). When they drove the Turbo Titan III into the show hall, the high temperature from the engine exhaust set off the sprinkler system. My Dad further noted that when they drove through Pennsylvania, they encountered a large hill that other trucks had trouble climbing. The Turbo Titan when over it "like nobody's business."
@darrylbarger3795
@darrylbarger3795 3 жыл бұрын
That is really interesting news and I can tell your Dad was passionate and proud of his work and wanting to share with you. My Dad was an aircraft manufacturing engineer at Fairchild and ultimately made it to Plant Superintendent when Fairchild was building the A10. God I begged him to take me to the plant to see the first planes being assembled. I never felt the satisfaction in my career as did our Dad's. Thanks for sharing 👍
@laserhawk64
@laserhawk64 3 жыл бұрын
You had an awesome Dad :) mad respect, and (if you don't mind them a bit late) condolences to you for the loss. I don't think I've ever before thought of a semi truck as 'beautiful' but that is the word that comes to mind here. Would be amazing if someone did the detective thing and managed to track down its ultimate destination... I'm sure it's mostly a matter of time, paperwork, and getting people to talk to people...
@vehiclenanny
@vehiclenanny 3 жыл бұрын
@@laserhawk64 Thank you very much. He was a real car guy and a terrific teacher.
@vehiclenanny
@vehiclenanny 3 жыл бұрын
@@darrylbarger3795 Thanks, Daryl.
@laserhawk64
@laserhawk64 3 жыл бұрын
@@vehiclenanny *My* father is a brilliant fellow with mechanical things... he can stare at nearly any given bit of clockwork or a linkage or whatnot, so long as it's almost entirely mechanical, and with a bit of thinking out loud, work out its contents and means of operation. I may be a computer nerd -- I'm all hardware, don't ever ask me to program anything more sophisticated than a Honeywell thermostat! -- but ohhh what I wouldn't give for what he has!
@georgeupton368
@georgeupton368 3 жыл бұрын
Ahhh the good ole days,the only thing we had to worry about was what time dinner was.And whether Russians were going to bomb us.
@dennishough3709
@dennishough3709 3 жыл бұрын
We may have to start worrying about the latter of the 2 worries.
@ZoomZoom870atGmail
@ZoomZoom870atGmail 3 жыл бұрын
And the government wasn't afraid to spend money on infrastructure and services that benefited everyone.
@leatherneck8582
@leatherneck8582 3 жыл бұрын
we were ready then as kids, and we're ready now as adults...Wolverines'
@benjaminacosta2582
@benjaminacosta2582 3 жыл бұрын
Cold World...cold
@ras4782
@ras4782 3 жыл бұрын
That last part I dont think changed lol
@poiXquared
@poiXquared 3 жыл бұрын
That front end with the lateral headlights is basically what every Mitsubishi looks like in 2021
@UnloadedRex
@UnloadedRex 3 жыл бұрын
The M1 Abrams uses a gas turbine engine, so even the army thought that turbines were viable for a vehicle during the 80’s
@joshbobst1629
@joshbobst1629 3 жыл бұрын
Because it weighs 60 tons, which is half again as much as a semi truck. A diesel for something that size with the Army's asks - supposedly it can go 60 mph off-road - would have been just too unwieldy. But the Abrams' fuel consumption is just astronomical compared to a diesel of similar output.
@marinusdedreu3833
@marinusdedreu3833 3 жыл бұрын
@@joshbobst1629 only bad on fuel when not at WOT. And they go faster than 60mph ;)
@hreindustries
@hreindustries 3 жыл бұрын
@@joshbobst1629 meh 12v swap turn the pump up big single jingle that tank will stroll
@joshbnty984
@joshbnty984 3 жыл бұрын
True and Even the navy ships used gas turbines just A lot bigger of course
@n4zou
@n4zou 3 жыл бұрын
The AGT-1500 Gas Turbine engine in the M1 Abrams tank was designed in the 1960's for use in Tractor-Trailers. Back then they thought Turbine engine tractors would pull trailers to distribution centers and would only travel at high speeds on interstate highways. In those operating conductions using a Turbine engine makes perfect sense. It also made perfect sense to use in a Tank. Until then the diesel engines used in M60 Tanks had to be rebuilt at 500 hour's of use. The AGT-1500 can easily go 100,000 hours or more before being refurbished.
@cujoedaman
@cujoedaman 3 жыл бұрын
Now I can see where toy companies of the time got their inspiration for similar looking trucks :D
@patrickvanderlaan1151
@patrickvanderlaan1151 3 жыл бұрын
Often designers couldn’t convince their respective manufacturers to build their creations. That’s why toy makers benefitted from the designers passion. Many hot wheels cars are products of automotive designers.
@kalvinlabuik3366
@kalvinlabuik3366 3 жыл бұрын
Yes Hot Wheels trucks
@tbrown5657
@tbrown5657 3 жыл бұрын
Right? To me this truck just screams Buddy L :P
@joshbobst1629
@joshbobst1629 3 жыл бұрын
Considering that diesel trucks of the time struggled to hit 200hp, 280 is actually pretty good, and the lower capacity probably improved its off-peak fuel consumption compared to Ford's 600hp idea.
@desertbob6835
@desertbob6835 3 жыл бұрын
Wrong. The Cummins NH220 and NHT262 were on the road by the late '50s, and the Detroit 8V71N with 65mm injectors was good for 318 BHP and it was put there (1958) way before this pipe dream was. Next myth?
@joshbobst1629
@joshbobst1629 3 жыл бұрын
@@desertbob6835 Just because you can fish out a couple exceptions that prove the rule doesn't mean it's not true. There were plenty of examples of 500hp trucks in the 80s, but the overwhelming majority at the time had 237 - 350.
@ClassicTVMan1981X
@ClassicTVMan1981X 2 жыл бұрын
@@joshbobst1629 Cummins had a variation of its massive 19-liter KT inline six -- which not only was an iron giant but also had a square 6-1/4" bore x 6-1/4" stroke -- that made 600 hp! In those days, even 500 hp engines weren't all that common.
@Victor-vj5ds
@Victor-vj5ds Жыл бұрын
Strange to see that yesterday Tesla launched a 3,000 HP battery semi truck.
@truthseeker2321
@truthseeker2321 Жыл бұрын
@@Victor-vj5ds Lol, and no trucking company will buy it, unless they are going to use it for short haul or warehouse yard spotting.
@dew2667
@dew2667 3 жыл бұрын
Definitely looks like the Heavyweights series of trucks produced by Hot Wheels. No doubt the influence of the GM concept trucks was the inspiration for the toys produced my Mattel.
@stoneylonesome5826
@stoneylonesome5826 3 жыл бұрын
At least one of the Hot Wheels original designers came from GM. He was also the reason Mattel was able to get the new Corvette out in toy form before the real thing came out.
@shawnz241
@shawnz241 3 жыл бұрын
I miss the days when Detroit had an imagination.
@jamn2boost
@jamn2boost 3 жыл бұрын
Are you intentionally ignoring Tesla?
@shawnz241
@shawnz241 3 жыл бұрын
@@jamn2boost That would be the first I heard of Tesla having an engineering facility in Detroit.
@jamn2boost
@jamn2boost 3 жыл бұрын
@@shawnz241 I guess i took "detriot" for "automotive industry" you really meant the city. My bad.
@shawnz241
@shawnz241 3 жыл бұрын
@@jamn2boost All good my dude! There’s a lot of great American automotive engineering taking place outside the Motor City.
@DarkoPetreski
@DarkoPetreski 3 жыл бұрын
@@jamn2boost nice brain btw.
@ronaldschoolcraft8654
@ronaldschoolcraft8654 Жыл бұрын
GM continued development of gas turbine trucks into the late 1970s and early 1980s. I started working at Detroit Diesel Allison Division of General Motors in June of 1983. Allison had designed, developed, and manufactured the GT-404 engine for semi-truck use and it was still being tested when I started there. The GT-404 ended up being used to power generators in Patriot Missile Batteries for the military.
@mattskustomkreations
@mattskustomkreations 3 жыл бұрын
This truck is much better looking than Ford’s crazy tall Big Red. Both are cool though.
@dallasfrost1996
@dallasfrost1996 3 жыл бұрын
Agreed. Big red was an oversized tall block, this turbo titan has the cool 50's truck style vibe to it, smooth and curved.
@nativeoutdoors1780
@nativeoutdoors1780 Жыл бұрын
Yah kidding? I love the look of big red haha they both look goofy but kinda a retro future quirkiness that works
@Tman0517
@Tman0517 Жыл бұрын
Big red had that comfort though
@mattgray6436
@mattgray6436 Жыл бұрын
It was Chevy trying to copy ford again and again lol
@yogiballa
@yogiballa Жыл бұрын
Chevy is better than ford always
@manoman0
@manoman0 Жыл бұрын
Amazing to see the Titan's front design reflecting the fascias of so many 2020+ SUV's.
@johnnyboyy5241
@johnnyboyy5241 3 жыл бұрын
Please do more of these experimental and weird cars and trucks , these are awesome
@darrylbarger3795
@darrylbarger3795 3 жыл бұрын
I was at that world's fair with my parents at 11 years old and just kept asking my Dad if I could go thru the GM exhibit again and again. It was so cool. It seems we were way ahead of where we've gotten Thanks
@desertbob6835
@desertbob6835 3 жыл бұрын
"Way ahead?" Are you serious or delirious?
@yogiballa
@yogiballa Жыл бұрын
@@desertbob6835 technically Chevy /gmc doesn’t have anymore heavy duty :(
@nealbradleigh5069
@nealbradleigh5069 Жыл бұрын
That's the problem about leaving your future in the hands of people you assume are smarter than you. Oh, you'll have small portions of your dream future, doled out to you in thin slices, on their terms.
@nomo3o
@nomo3o Жыл бұрын
You’re telling me the world hasn’t moved at all since this time? Get real.
@darrylbarger3795
@darrylbarger3795 Жыл бұрын
@nomo3o well I suppose you never saw how futuristic the display was. So you have no idea what you are saying.
@intel386DX
@intel386DX 3 жыл бұрын
Very beautiful truck! It is pitty that it is not survived even in the museum :( those 60's designs are so ebatiful, not like today's junk!
@DistanceNsVeterans
@DistanceNsVeterans Жыл бұрын
Eh I rather drives Traditional designed trucks From the 60s to now rather than something furtureish.
@neggas-
@neggas- Жыл бұрын
those who lived in the 60s : Those 20s designs are so (ebatiful?), not like today's junk!
@intel386DX
@intel386DX Жыл бұрын
@@neggas- 20s designs are beautiful as well
@christiankirkenes5922
@christiankirkenes5922 Жыл бұрын
Having used a dial steering wheel on many warehouse systems in an industrial setting I can say it is a superior form of steering for something small and requiring finesse. I'm not sure how it would have felt in a truck, and also duplicated for no reason.... but in something the size of a forklift or picker it works great.
@kevins971
@kevins971 Жыл бұрын
Oh yeah dials are great but I genuinely could not imagine them in a normal car, especially since people like racing them, imagine slightly overturning your dial and your car rolls in the ditch.
@Eremon1
@Eremon1 3 жыл бұрын
My uncle happened to meet the collector/owner that has the Ford turbine truck. He wanted to bring me to go see it but the owner didn't want too many people to come and know where he lived. I guess he was/is a private person that doesn't want the media circus that would follow if people knew where he and the truck are. I very much hope the same thing goes for the Chevy but I somehow feel like the Turbo Titan III didn't survive.
@desertbob6835
@desertbob6835 3 жыл бұрын
GM has a long tradition of scrapping their unsuccessful prototypes unless somone gets to it first. A more recent example was their EV1 fleet, scrapped for fear that a competitor would get ahold of their proprietary designs...and probably on orders from Big Oil, soon to be "Little Oil." Electrics are indeed the future.
@robbiereilly
@robbiereilly 3 жыл бұрын
I just read that article on The Drive. Glad they found it. Can definitely agree with the owner wanting privacy. It's like someone saying they have the field of dreams in their back yard. ;) From the article, sounds like he has finished restoring it and it's been sitting ready to go for over a decade or more. A cross country road tour would be wonderful. He could hire a team to take it on tour. I'm sure they'd do it for free, or even pay him for the pleasure. And folks would get to see it in person.
@jamesw1659
@jamesw1659 Жыл бұрын
@@desertbob6835 GM destroyed the EV1s because of liability issues. They did not want to be in a position to have to provide long-term product support for what was, essentially, a fleet of prototypes. This was the plan from the beginning, which is why they were not sold, but only leased to customers.
@JaredJanhsen
@JaredJanhsen 3 жыл бұрын
These turbine trucks are amazing. Ford's big red had some features that are present in modern truck bunks.
@ssranch6017
@ssranch6017 3 жыл бұрын
The good old days are gone. I was a kid then. The future look bright. Now look at it. The future looks damn.
@JD-wn3cc
@JD-wn3cc 3 жыл бұрын
Back then people looked at everything with wide eyed ambition. Whether it was space travel, robot houses or futuristic trucks! Now all people care about is what features the next one or two models of the iPhone will come with.
@matthewmosier8439
@matthewmosier8439 3 жыл бұрын
@@JD-wn3cc Some of us still want to accomplish big things. You generally can tell the difference by seeing who wants government paid Healthcare, transportation, etc. and who prefers to earn their money.
@mechanomics2649
@mechanomics2649 Жыл бұрын
There never were any "good old days" Just looking at the past with rose tinted glasses.
@mechanomics2649
@mechanomics2649 Жыл бұрын
@@matthewmosier8439 Who do you think pays the government for that "government paid Healthcare, transportation, etc." genius? The people that would be using those services.
@matthewmosier8439
@matthewmosier8439 Жыл бұрын
@@mechanomics2649 Not true. Taxpayers pay for all government expenditures. Many people pay no taxes but still collect services (in my experience the people who work the least generally collect the most government money that they possibly can).
@jeffreyfwagner
@jeffreyfwagner Жыл бұрын
My first job as an engineering grad was working on the GT309 at Detroit Diesel Division of GM. The idle speed was 17,000rpm and max speed was 37,000. Detroit Diesel was not making enough progress on that engine; it did not go far without repairs. The program was transferred to Allison in Indianapolis, which had a far better skill set for this engine, BTW, the fuel consumption of the GT309 never got close to being a threat to the Diesels of the day. Good video.
@Immortal..
@Immortal.. Жыл бұрын
Was that for combined fuel consumption? I reckon turbines are incredibly wasteful in stop-and-go traffic or sitting in a traffic jam. But using optimal turbine speed on long stretches should be in the region of a regular Diesel, no?
@davidhollenshead4892
@davidhollenshead4892 Жыл бұрын
@@Immortal.. Gas Turbines only make sense when they are used as a constant speed power plant, like on aircraft and as quick starting peak power generators. Also keep in mind that the lower weight is critical for aircraft, but not for road vehicles since they would have had to add a heavy shield to protect the general public from a turbine failure.... GM's gas turbine car had a two cylinder engine that powered everything else so the turbine was only used for traction. And still the car was an insane waste of fuel. J. Leno built his own turbine car ans it is a total fuel pig...
@BruceLee-xn3nn
@BruceLee-xn3nn 3 жыл бұрын
That thing could inhale protesters like nobody's business.
@concreteman8777
@concreteman8777 3 жыл бұрын
Wow those trucks look more future looking then trucks today
@caseyschmidt6532
@caseyschmidt6532 3 жыл бұрын
They were made for a future that never came.
@AndrewHaverson
@AndrewHaverson 3 жыл бұрын
I kind of like the steering mechanism 🤔. Some truckers to this day still put a knob on their steering wheel.
@heyinway
@heyinway 3 жыл бұрын
At least Chevrolet reused the Titan name in it's Class 8 tractor...GMC's version was the GMC Astro. They were production trucks that featured some futuristic designs compared to the trucks of the day....cabovers with rounded corner aluminum cabs, panoramic windshields, wrap around dash, etc. Early models had passenger bus type mirrors versus the standard west coast style mirrors.
@keithalaird
@keithalaird 3 жыл бұрын
I actually had an AMT kit for a GMC Astro cab over in the 1970s. It had parts for both the normal engine (a Detroit Diesel 8V71T with a manual box) or the gas turbine with an Allison automatic.
@TheRealFobican
@TheRealFobican 3 жыл бұрын
For a futuristic truck from the past, it's quite a timeless design as it is sleek.
@Mr.Useless420
@Mr.Useless420 Жыл бұрын
These turbine engines were great they could be ran on just about anything flammable, so really I think it was particularly due to the oil industry trying to stay on top. I'd love to see these engines today, with how far we have come who knows what our cars would be like today if this didn't die out, a true future would be here.
@Islacrusez
@Islacrusez Жыл бұрын
I wonder if a modern design could be convinced to run on hydrogen to keep the emissions in check. For a long haul cruiser a turbine engine makes more sense than a city vehicle (I seem to recall that Abrams tanks had this awful habit of draining the tanks on crews unaware that their consumption was largely the same whether they were moving or not), and I feel like transmission and turbine tech might have advanced a bit that some extra efficiency could be gained.
@edisontrent5244
@edisontrent5244 3 жыл бұрын
Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels!! Interesting how similar in concept shape they are to the tesla, Nikola, and European trucks.
@motorheadscom
@motorheadscom 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thank you!
@robinchatham2999
@robinchatham2999 3 жыл бұрын
I remember the turbine put in an Astro 95 configuration....I worked across the street from the Allison Plant, Maywood where the engine was built. You could tell the powerplant by the twin stacks on the cab. Must've been 2 feet in diameter.
@wadeguidry6675
@wadeguidry6675 3 жыл бұрын
Now I have a purpose in life: I must find the holy grail that is the Chevy Titan Turbine! ......Wish me luck.
@carsjt1076
@carsjt1076 3 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed seeing this. It’s a shame GM didn’t keep this for a museum. It’s always seems to be the case. Let’s crush it! And then think oh ya that might have been something to save 🤔
@FrequencyORD
@FrequencyORD 3 жыл бұрын
You could put this in a dealership and tell some 60 year old dude it’s a 2021 model and he’d believe you.
@chasl3645
@chasl3645 3 жыл бұрын
Actually all the leg work in current and future tec was done by that and previous generations. Your generation is just picking up the ball and carrying it forward. With the help of all the tools and platforms that you take for granted.
@rallycar6922
@rallycar6922 3 жыл бұрын
@@chasl3645 ok boomer
@chasl3645
@chasl3645 3 жыл бұрын
@@rallycar6922 You're just mad becouse you always got a trophy for things you didn't do.
@chasl3645
@chasl3645 3 жыл бұрын
Dont feel bad. My generation stood on the shoulders of the success and the failures. Just like yours does. Proceeding generations didn't really create anything new. Most everything's already been thought of. Everything is developed incrementally over years of R&D. The one advantage the current generation has is the tools the support and the funding that goes into bringing these ideas to fruition. Had Tesla been alive today with all the tools and platforms that are available. We would be powering everything with silent clean magnetic wave generators. Maybe you should appreciate those that came before you because everything you take for granted was developed by them.
@rallycar6922
@rallycar6922 3 жыл бұрын
@@chasl3645 ok boomer
@randolphschreiner4479
@randolphschreiner4479 Жыл бұрын
Speaking with someone who also tested this truck across the states. He told me the Peterbilt guys did not like the windows. They could not drive down the highway with their pants off, to stay cool, because it was easy to see into the cab.
@utuBrV1oI
@utuBrV1oI 3 ай бұрын
& imagine their reaction to the '64 GM Bison truck.
@erik365365365
@erik365365365 3 жыл бұрын
These old truck ideas just get me going! Y’all remember the Tesla truck? What happened to that oldie? ;)
@danbailey96
@danbailey96 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah way way back when Tesla developed a truck ....damn almost in the Stone Age.
@huskerite2
@huskerite2 3 жыл бұрын
Not so oldie!
@rearspeaker6364
@rearspeaker6364 Жыл бұрын
bet it caught fire while parked overnight at texas.
@bobbygray2629
@bobbygray2629 3 жыл бұрын
The gm truck or at least the cab is in a wooded feild outside dallas texas
@themagicboy6548
@themagicboy6548 Жыл бұрын
I bet it would have been a fantastic long-haul truck, smooth and quiet engine
@Javelina_Poppers
@Javelina_Poppers Жыл бұрын
I worked for Garrett Airesearch in the early 80s when they outfitted a Mack Cruiseliner and a Superliner with their GT-601 gas turbines developing over 600+ HP. These were road tested extensively under a full load especially in the mountains and performed flawlessly and were able to maintain the speed limit without bogging down like conventional diesel powered trucks. Truly a trucker's dream rig. I distinctly remembering the whistling whine of the engine as they rolled past. Despite being a total success on the highway, they were shelved because of cost. Turbines require meticulous machining to manufacture and require heat resistant alloys which made them cost prohibitive, trucks that cost well over half million dollars in 1980 just couldn't compete. You can see pictures of these trucks by searching for Mack GT 601 turbine. I believe these are also in a museum also.
@gregorybathurst4326
@gregorybathurst4326 3 жыл бұрын
The CHEV TITAN will show up , in driving condition , I feel it's been idling it's time away in a garage somewhere .
@rearspeaker6364
@rearspeaker6364 Жыл бұрын
jay leno............
@CB-jk3ue
@CB-jk3ue 3 жыл бұрын
The front looks like the backend of a Cadillac
@poodn4559
@poodn4559 3 жыл бұрын
Duude, Lil Big Rigs or some other kit company should make a kit of these trucks, too. That shit would be siiiick
@claybinx6292
@claybinx6292 Жыл бұрын
A turbine linked to a CVT would have made very interesting use.
@Cat-fy5lw
@Cat-fy5lw Жыл бұрын
CVT couldn’t handle the torque, though.
@levijones1874
@levijones1874 3 жыл бұрын
Then came a Kenworth hauling logs, Cabover Pete with a reefer on and jimmy hauling hogs. And a jaguar hauling ass.
@simpson2008gaming
@simpson2008gaming 3 жыл бұрын
love that song
@alexs-zq6ni
@alexs-zq6ni 3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a fun project.
@brimstone5931
@brimstone5931 3 жыл бұрын
at 3:58 - one of the most nicest and subtle 'Please like and subscribe' plee's. Great entertaining and informative video, thanks for sharing 👍
@neilhoogendoorn8045
@neilhoogendoorn8045 3 жыл бұрын
My brother in law dad worked on the turbine Corvette.
@luisgonzalez9638
@luisgonzalez9638 3 жыл бұрын
Nice 👍
@robertwilk-WabbieWasabi666
@robertwilk-WabbieWasabi666 3 жыл бұрын
My sister's mother's cousin's grandma's uncle worked on a farm.
@ZEPRATGERNODT
@ZEPRATGERNODT 3 жыл бұрын
So that’s where the “Mammoth Car” of “Speed Racer” got its inspiration from.
@nashidaperv2351
@nashidaperv2351 2 жыл бұрын
i doubt it, it resembles big red way more.
@chevybulls9371
@chevybulls9371 3 жыл бұрын
My first visit and it's pretty cool
@TheoneStanband
@TheoneStanband Жыл бұрын
Fascinating! That would be really cool to drive one of those trucks! I had no idea such a truck ever existed.
@alex35agm
@alex35agm 3 жыл бұрын
This looks like a truck they would have used in the Thunderbirds or Capt Scarlet.Derek Meddings designed vehicles that looked like this for those shows.
@martinharris5017
@martinharris5017 Жыл бұрын
Loving the styling of these trucks. While cars have changed dramatically over the decades, trucks seem to be pretty much the same as they were 30 or 40 years ago. Can you imagine trucks like these with a modern Hydrogen Cell powerplant? Cool! As for what happened to thge Turbo Truck, well, while Ford often gifted their outmoded prototypes to collectors and customizers like Barris, Chevrolet had a nasty habit of scrapping their prototypes. Fortunately, their gas turbine cars, the Firebird 1,2 and 3 versions all survive and are well cared for.
@onceuponatimeonearth
@onceuponatimeonearth Жыл бұрын
god I LOVE those retro futuristic designs. reminds me of those crazy vehicles from Thunderbirds.
@Man_of_TheWay
@Man_of_TheWay 3 жыл бұрын
I met a man named Weigel that worked first hand on turbine trucks. The differentials and transmissions were the failure points most often especially going up grades.
@lawrencedoliveiro9104
@lawrencedoliveiro9104 3 жыл бұрын
Reduction gearing problems I can understand, but why differentials?
@misterbuklau4053
@misterbuklau4053 3 жыл бұрын
@@lawrencedoliveiro9104 I guess they couldn't handle the turbines torque it makes more sense cosidering he mentioned while going up a grade thatd have to put some extreme stress on it.
@yuribezmenovthegreat4705
@yuribezmenovthegreat4705 Жыл бұрын
How I love the esthetics of that ad, is like the records of the ww2 planes presentation.
@gerardmontgomery280
@gerardmontgomery280 3 жыл бұрын
Damn that spaceage styling was something else. Probably horrendously unsafe but is sure was pretty
@bradarmstrong3952
@bradarmstrong3952 Жыл бұрын
Off the top of my head I think this could be made useful in daily hauling by making it turbine-electric, like a diesel locomotive. It would then be able to use the electric motors for "engine" braking and energy recovery. This would also allow the turbine to remain at an efficient rpm, while the electric motors handled the acceleration, deceleration, and running at speeds where the turbine could not be used efficiently
@wpdaigle
@wpdaigle 3 жыл бұрын
This judge is awesome. I'm Canadian and I would love to meet him. :)
@sargepent9815
@sargepent9815 Жыл бұрын
Very cool. Never knew they had a gas turbine truck. Learn something new every day. Remember reading not too long ago about an idea to build a small gas turbine powered hybrid since they are very fuel efficient for the power created and use them like an APU for an aircraft to charge on board battery cells. Be like having a 480v charging system on board and if the Tesla truck or something like the Nicola ever becomes reality, it'd be smart to have a powerful turbine powered apu for areas you can't recharge
@Todd66
@Todd66 3 жыл бұрын
Nice job! Very cool video.
@motorheadscom
@motorheadscom 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
@dp.oennismaurer205
@dp.oennismaurer205 3 жыл бұрын
The Titan name was used on this experimental truck, the Chevrolet c.o.e. cousin of the GMC Astro 95, and the Terex Titan tandem axle 350 ton mine haul truck, which was the largest of that era. The Titan name was sold to LeTourneau who made a two axle mine truck called the TITAN
@MichaelStoneRichard
@MichaelStoneRichard Жыл бұрын
I saw Big Red when it was displayed at Ford’s World HQ, and not too much after that, went to the NY World’s Fair with my mom and dad in my dad’s new 1965 Mustang.
@robertpierce1981
@robertpierce1981 3 жыл бұрын
Interesting content. I didn’t know about the gas turbine era. Thank you.
@autochampwandelen
@autochampwandelen Жыл бұрын
Interesting video! These trucks were cool! I know the 50s - 70s were the times when trucks were pretty fancy. Greetings from Belgium!
@johnbee7729
@johnbee7729 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful. Would be neat to see them on the highway
@KarlBunker
@KarlBunker Жыл бұрын
Those pigeon-scoops are my favorite feature. 😬😳
@StrikerV3
@StrikerV3 3 жыл бұрын
Not gonna lie. Driving a big truck. Sometimes having a small, knob style wheel like you would find or a forklift nowadays actually sounds nice xD
@minimanadam
@minimanadam 3 жыл бұрын
I ALWAYS wanted that Chrysler turbine car . I think Oldsmobile tried making one too
@TheGMonstah
@TheGMonstah 4 ай бұрын
I love the look of the Turbo Titan
@bradjames6748
@bradjames6748 Жыл бұрын
In 1962 76000 lbs was a huge GVW , sadly GM seems to have always had a policy of crushing any and all suspended vehicles , programs and plans just like the Saturn Electric car which was returned on demand even though the lessors wanted to purchase them.
@TheCyberSalvager
@TheCyberSalvager Жыл бұрын
Leyland built a gas turbine truck in 1970. It had a power output of 400BHP!
@psykology9299
@psykology9299 Жыл бұрын
I can most certainly say that the world would look hella cooler if we'd pursued this styling
@Jushwa
@Jushwa Жыл бұрын
Thing looks incredibly cool.
@skydive7054
@skydive7054 3 жыл бұрын
truck name: Big Red Turbine me: *paints it black* ford: wait, THATS ILLEGAL
@madmandan1935
@madmandan1935 3 жыл бұрын
Nah, they were just fans of the Rolling Stones it seems.
@cannedheat2264
@cannedheat2264 Жыл бұрын
If those engines weren’t so expensive to make and maintain I could see them in production today
@marshallguerra1353
@marshallguerra1353 Жыл бұрын
Cool part of history. Thanks for the information
@Oblithian
@Oblithian Жыл бұрын
I like the bison too, very futuristic looking (well retro futurism).
@keithmcintyre6403
@keithmcintyre6403 Жыл бұрын
I'm glad they properly acknowledged Rover's Jet 1, which still exists.
@CSmithyPx
@CSmithyPx Жыл бұрын
I'd love to see both of them. As they are so cool.
@Danwheeler.
@Danwheeler. 3 жыл бұрын
Just discovered your channel. Not even all the way through this vid and I am now subscribed. I put money on this channel gaining a lot of traction in the coming months. Keep up the good work👍
@motorheadscom
@motorheadscom 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thank you!
@trian645
@trian645 3 жыл бұрын
Good time of history. When anything was simple.
@siraff4461
@siraff4461 Жыл бұрын
Even if they couldn't have made the turbine work it would have been nice to see this built up anyway. Thats a great looking truck.
@josels1292
@josels1292 3 жыл бұрын
This truck is in a private storage in Arizona. Well a big building in a ranch.
@motorheadscom
@motorheadscom 3 жыл бұрын
Do you know more?
@josels1292
@josels1292 3 жыл бұрын
@@motorheadscom it’s not open to the public. But it does make its way to an automotive museum in Ohio. You will need to make an appointment to see it In this museum. I can’t remember the name of this museum or when it’s there.
@BoughtNotBuilt
@BoughtNotBuilt 3 жыл бұрын
We need more details!
@xminusone1
@xminusone1 Жыл бұрын
Both these trucks were/are awesome. It was a time when people could see cars and trucks that weren't clones of each other but had a personality on their own.
@Chris-ut6eq
@Chris-ut6eq Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. An interesting piece of car history, but seems very impractical.
@planespeaking
@planespeaking Жыл бұрын
I have a toy truck of this. Always wondered what is was
@timenavigator9643
@timenavigator9643 Жыл бұрын
Your English is outstanding! I love the accent & video friend!! 😊
@leylandlynxvlog
@leylandlynxvlog Жыл бұрын
Very beautiful, and the technology sounds amazing. It's a shame it was not allowed to continue we could have had another option to petrol and diesel combustion.
@master6435
@master6435 Жыл бұрын
I think this technology would work great in a hybrid setup
@brianb-p6586
@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын
The only way a gas turbine could come close to being acceptable by today's standards would be in a series hybrid configuration. Several companies have tried that, and a few vehicles (mostly buses) have made it to operation on the road, but none have been successful. The latest problem - not a big concern in the 1960's - is that emissions of oxides of nitrogen are way too high.
@aussieausdeutschland4245
@aussieausdeutschland4245 3 жыл бұрын
Looks pretty cool
@ØliverTheAnimator
@ØliverTheAnimator Жыл бұрын
Let's just say that this is proof that we can build advanced tech without slapping in some blue lights and a bunch of holograms
@redwingblackbird8306
@redwingblackbird8306 Жыл бұрын
Some of these trucks remind me of the TV show, The Highway Man.
@AircraftMechanic-AP
@AircraftMechanic-AP 3 жыл бұрын
What an interesting video. Never heard of either of these. Keep up the good work.
@tommywang8229
@tommywang8229 Жыл бұрын
This thing looks futuristic even in 2023
@cindykerr-friberg5284
@cindykerr-friberg5284 Жыл бұрын
Big red and the turbo titan are the coolest trucks/big rigs ever made
@jimmartin7881
@jimmartin7881 3 жыл бұрын
Every wheeled vehicle mfr. did turbine propulsion research in the 50s and 60s, they all had schlocky Barnumesque features too. They all found out very quickly that the speed variation experienced on the American roadway made the turbine a poor choice for anything but aviation/marine or power generation.
@daneduttry8957
@daneduttry8957 2 жыл бұрын
WHEN THEY JUST "" DISAPPEAR "" THEN YOU KNOW IT WAS A PERFECT DESIGN. SO NOW WE STILL USE A PISTON ENGINE TODAY JUST LIKE THE FIRST ONE DESIGNED IN THE LATE 1890s.
@tallll70
@tallll70 Жыл бұрын
It was fun tests but the crazy idle
@stebstebanesier6205
@stebstebanesier6205 Жыл бұрын
For some reason this truck to me is very reminiscent of the styling of the 66-69 Buick Riviera.
@Laylander
@Laylander Жыл бұрын
Turbines can be really efficient if you keep them in the right operating window and load. So you need something that can keep the load on the turbine consistent, while being able to output a wide range of torque and RPM. They would be great as a fuel cell/range extender if you combine it with an electric drive train. That would bring electric vehicles pretty much everywhere around the globe. Infrastructure is a problem now, and fuel consumption is too. This could be a solid interim solution for the next 20-30 years as developing countries get their infrastructure going.
@merttopel
@merttopel 3 жыл бұрын
The gorgeous design deserves to be on the road with or without a turbine engine.
@ripinpieces8387
@ripinpieces8387 Жыл бұрын
The space age design of cars will forever be the best
@NYRM1974
@NYRM1974 Жыл бұрын
General Motors has an opportunity to further explore development of commercial vehicles namely semi tractor trailer setups using today's technology it can be done. The only thing I would do away is the steering wheel system which I think is worthless and I would make the cab a lot bigger to incorporate a living quarter for long Coast to Coast hauling. What General Motors needs to do is talk to truck drivers and ask them plain and simple what are you looking for in a tractor trailer setup
@CharlotteMike81
@CharlotteMike81 3 жыл бұрын
Very cool video!!
@e46m54nissansr20937
@e46m54nissansr20937 Жыл бұрын
Chevrolet was the first to put turbochargers in the middle of the engine block today this setup is used in cars like the BMW M5, Audi RS4,RS7, and Mercedes AMG GT etc
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