Howmet TX 1968

C

CORRUPTEDDISC

(Banned)
1,654
United Kingdom
UK
CORRUPTED_DISC
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This is a rather obscure request but one that I think perfectly represents the kind of oddball cars that the GranTurismo series has always honoured (Chaparral 2J, Dome Zero, Isuzu 4200R etc.).

The Howmet TX is an obscure but historically very important racer because of the fact that it is the only gas turbine powered racing car to attain victory in motorsport.

I would personally LOVE to drive a gas turbine engined car on GT, due to the smooth and relentlessly progressive power delivery and awesome sound that they make (due to a redline of over 50,000rpm).

Specs :

Engine : 350 bhp Continental TS325 Gas Turbine
Transmission : single forward gear, electric motor for reverse
Layout : mid engine, rear wheel drive

The sound :D :



I for one would love to see gas turbine power debut on GT :) . . .
 
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CORRUPTEDDISC
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I for one would love to see gas turbine power debut on GT :) . . .
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Hi Corrupted Disc - there is a typo in the title - the car dates from 1968.

I only noticed your post today when I was searching for another unusual car - the "Hurst Floor Shift Special".

I would also like to see this car in Gran Turismo - it should be pretty easy to do as well, two were built plus a replica. Xavier Micheron owns one of the original cars and has driven in recent classic events.

A few comments about the car - the initial acceleration of the car is good, but then it picks up speed slowly - we can tell this from looking at the speed records which it set for turbine cars which are listed on Wikipedia. This is also confirmed by the fact that it was planned to fit a multi speed gearbox for the 1969 season, but Howmet cancelled funding. The FIA used an equivalency formula to rate the engine at 2.96 litres which enabled it to compete under the Group 6 Prototype 3 litre limit, however one of the drivers (Heppenstall) has since admitted that it was above the limit. The car won two SCCA races and two qualifying sprint races and earned 4 points in the Sports car world championship 1968. The three cars are fitted with Allison turbines as the original Continental turbines were on loan and had to be returned when the project was cancelled - the cars could not be re-fitted with Contintental's as these were prototypes from a cancelled military helicopter project.

For the in car sound click on the video which shows owner Xavier Micheron qualifying for a classic race at Spa.



For exterior sound click on this video which shows start up:



Note the ubiquitous Ford Cortina Mark 1 tail lights!
 
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Tree'd :lol:
Actually, iirc one of them now has the original Continental turbine in it, while another had the Allison modified with a waste gate system like the original Continental motor.
 
Venom800tt
*EDIT*
Tree'd :lol:
Actually, iirc one of them now has the original Continental turbine in it, while another had the Allison modified with a waste gate system like the original Continental motor.
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Where did you get that info? My understanding is that all three cars have Allisons - two have waste gate systems, but not the replica car.

There is more info on the car on the RM Auctions website which claims that it has a Continental turbine, but is missing its combustion chamber and compressor - presumably those are the parts which had to be returned to Continental when the project finished as the engines were on loan.

http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=80488
 
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Sick Cylinder
Where did you get that info? My understanding is that all three cars have Allisons - two have waste gate systems, but not the replica car.

There is more info on the car on the RM Auctions website which claims that it has a Continental turbine, but is missing its combustion chamber and compressor - presumably those are the parts which had to be returned to Continental when the project finished as the engines were on loan.

http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=80488
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Honestly, I forgot where I read it, as it was a couple years ago. I might have to look into it though. Though, I'd imagine even if one did have the original turbine, it would be hard as hell to find parts for :lol:
 
Venom800tt
Honestly, I forgot where I read it, as it was a couple years ago. I might have to look into it though. Though, I'd imagine even if one did have the original turbine, it would be hard as hell to find parts for :lol:
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It seems unlikely that any would have an original Continental as the turbines were on loan to the team. Parts would almost certainly be impossible to obtain as the turbine was for a cancelled military project and only 10 turbine motors were originally made. Great car suggestion though and lovely to see one restored and used in historic racing.
 
Sick Cylinder
It seems unlikely that any would have an original Continental as the turbines were on loan to the team. Parts would almost certainly be impossible to obtain as the turbine was for a cancelled military project and only 10 turbine motors were originally made. Great car suggestion though and lovely to see one restored and used in historic racing.
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If this article is accurate, the original car does now have a TS325 turbine... http://www.avonaero.com/Howmet turbine.htm

Anyway yes, this car is an awesome suggestion. Would be awesome to race it against the other classic race cars in GT. Plus, turbine power gives it massive cool points. :sly:
 
Venom800tt
If this article is accurate, the original car does now have a TS325 turbine... http://www.avonaero.com/Howmet turbine.htm

Anyway yes, this car is an awesome suggestion. Would be awesome to race it against the other classic race cars in GT. Plus, turbine power gives it massive cool points. :sly:
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Great find Venom - and an interesting statement at the end - the car was being driven to record the engine sound for a video game! - I wonder which one?
 
Sick Cylinder
Great find Venom - and an interesting statement at the end - the car was being driven to record the engine sound for a video game! - I wonder which one?
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Good question lol
Honestly I can't think of many games that would feature such a unique car outside of GT...
 

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