'63 Chrysler Turbine Car - Warning RW OOB Build!

[zenrat]

'63 Chrysler Turbine Car.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 1 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Chrysler Turbine Car is an experimental two-door hardtop coupe powered by a turbine engine and manufactured by Chrysler from 1963–1964. The bodywork was constructed by Italian design studio Carrozzeria Ghia and Chrysler completed the final assembly in Detroit. A total of 55 cars were manufactured: five prototypes and a limited run of 50 cars for a public user program. All have a signature metallic paint named "turbine bronze", roughly the color of root beer. The car was styled by Elwood Engel and the Chrysler studios and featured power brakes, power steering, and a TorqueFlite transmission.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 4 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Chrysler turbine engine program that produced the Turbine Car began during the late 1930s and created prototypes that completed long-distance trips in the 1950s and early 1960s. The A-831 engines that powered the Ghia-designed Turbine Car could operate on many fuels, required less maintenance, and lasted longer than conventional piston engines, although they were much more expensive to produce.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

After testing, Chrysler conducted a user program from October 1963 to January 1966 that involved 203 drivers in 133 cities in the United States cumulatively driving more than one million miles (1.6 million km). The program helped the company determine problems with the cars, notably with their complicated starting procedure, relatively unimpressive acceleration, and sub-par fuel economy and noise. The experience also revealed advantages of the turbine engines, including their remarkable durability, smooth operation, and relatively modest maintenance requirements.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 10 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

After the user program ended in 1966, Chrysler reclaimed the cars and destroyed all but nine; Chrysler kept two cars, six are displayed at museums in the United States, and one is in comedian and automotive media personality Jay Leno's private collection. Chrysler's turbine engine program ended in 1979, largely due to the failure of the engines to meet government emissions regulations, relatively poor fuel economy, and as a condition of receiving a government loan in 1979.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Text shamelessly pinched from Wikipaedia.

The Model

JoHan 1/25 kit built OOB (other than the paint colour - I used SMS Champagne Gold lacquer).  This example is from the second release in the late sixties and so is approximately the same age as me.  It is a marvellously engineered kit which was relatively easy to build (I just followed the instructions).  Only issues were paint related which were my fault and brittle plastic which was probably due to age.  I'd love another to whiff but this is a classic kit which goes for stupid prices so that's probably not going to happen.  This example was in a good condition box with all parts still on the sprues apart from one and even still contained its metal foil for reproducing chrome trim (very thick and not easy to use).  I can't remember what I paid except it was incredibly cheap and I drove into town to collect it from the seller who was disposing of a deceased estate.  Now I could have got something in the region of AU$ 200 for it.  But kits are meant to be built.  So I did.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 15 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

This kit has the following working features;  Rolling wheels, turning steering, opening bonnet, opening doors, folding seat backs, opening boot with removable cover over battery compartment.
I managed to get them all working apart from one wheel which doesn't roll because I lost the brake drum and had to make do with a piece of tube to replace it.

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 16 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

63 Chrysler Turbine Car - 18 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

  

[Old Wombat]

Did the giant stake come with the car or was it bought separately?

    

Great job, Fred!

[Hobbes]

Well done, and that looks like an excellent kit.

[scooter]

Did the giant stake come with the car or was it bought separately?

Looks more like a scale 2x4 than stake.  Besides, what else are you going to use when the counterbalances for the hood and boot lid fail? 

[kerick]

Well done! I would have loved to hear one of those start up and run! And with that exhaust you could drive around town melting the snow off the streets.....

[Old Wombat]

Did the giant stake come with the car or was it bought separately?

Looks more like a scale 2x4 than stake.  Besides, what else are you going to use when the counterbalances for the hood and boot lid fail? 

Well, I noticed that the bottom end comes in to a point > therefore = a stake (possibly doubles for killing very big vampires).

[scooter]

Did the giant stake come with the car or was it bought separately?

Looks more like a scale 2x4 than stake.  Besides, what else are you going to use when the counterbalances for the hood and boot lid fail? 

Well, I noticed that the bottom end comes in to a point > therefore = a stake (possibly doubles for killing very big vampires).

[PR19_Kit]

That's a lovely looking car in the RW, and you've made an equally lovely looking model of it Fred. 

I'll just have to go up into The Loft and have a look at mine now. 

[Rheged]

So, it's a real world build....who cares?  It's high class work and you have every reason to be proud of it.

[Wardukw]

Well done! I would have loved to hear one of those start up and run! And with that exhaust you could drive around town melting the snow off the streets.....

Ken you can ..there's vids on youi tube about this car 

This model is definitely not wiffy fodder..happy you built it to your standards mate..absolutely stunning for a RW build 👍 

[su27rules]

                    

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

I'll have you know those are scale replicas of genuine Mopar accessories which were hand crafted from seasoned Appalachian Mahogany by the skilled American craftsmen of the United Toothpickers and Trunkproppers Workingmens Union.

[Old Wombat]

I'll have you know those are scale replicas of genuine Mopar accessories which were hand crafted from seasoned Appalachian Mahogany by the skilled American craftsmen of the United Toothpickers and Trunkproppers Workingmens Union.

    

[Dizzyfugu]

Cool, esp. the exhaust system!