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Pontiac Firebird XP-21, 1953
INFORMATION
By 1953, the research team had produced the Firebird XP-21, later referred to as the Firebird I, which was essentially a jet airplane on wheels. It was the first gas turbine powered car tested in the United States. The design is entirely impractical, with a bubble topped canopy over a single seat cockpit, a bullet shaped fuselage made entirely of fiberglass, short wings, and a vertical tail fin.It has a 370 BHP Whirlfire Turbo Power gas turbine engine, which has two speeds, and expels jet exhaust at some 677 °C. The entire weight of the car is 1,134 kg and had a 100 inch wheelbase.
At first, Conklin was the only person qualified to drive it, and he tested it up to 160 km/h, but upon shifting into second gear the tires lost traction under the extreme engine torque and he immediately slowed down for fear of crashing. The car was later test driven at the Indianapolis Speedway by race car driver Mauri Rose. The car was never actually intended to test the power or speed potential of the gas turbine, but merely the practical feasibility of its use. The braking system differs from standard drum systems, in that the drums are on the outside of the wheels to facilitate fast cooling, and the wings actually have aircraft style flaps for slowing from high speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
• Engine : Gas Turbine
• Power: 276 kw (370 BHP)
• Torque: ???
• Engine location: Mid
PERFORMANCE
• 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Time = 4.8 secs
• Top Speed Tested = 161km/h (100 mph)
• Top Speed Estimated by GM = 322 km/h+ (200 mph+)
BRAKES
• 4 Wheeled external Drum Brakes
OTHER
• Flaps raise to slow the car down from High Speed
DRIVETRAIN
• Layout Mid engine, Rear-wheel drive system
• 2 Speed Manual transmission
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
• Weight: 1134 kg (2500 lbs)
• Wheelbase: 2540 mm (100 inches)
INFORMATION
By 1953, the research team had produced the Firebird XP-21, later referred to as the Firebird I, which was essentially a jet airplane on wheels. It was the first gas turbine powered car tested in the United States. The design is entirely impractical, with a bubble topped canopy over a single seat cockpit, a bullet shaped fuselage made entirely of fiberglass, short wings, and a vertical tail fin.It has a 370 BHP Whirlfire Turbo Power gas turbine engine, which has two speeds, and expels jet exhaust at some 677 °C. The entire weight of the car is 1,134 kg and had a 100 inch wheelbase.
At first, Conklin was the only person qualified to drive it, and he tested it up to 160 km/h, but upon shifting into second gear the tires lost traction under the extreme engine torque and he immediately slowed down for fear of crashing. The car was later test driven at the Indianapolis Speedway by race car driver Mauri Rose. The car was never actually intended to test the power or speed potential of the gas turbine, but merely the practical feasibility of its use. The braking system differs from standard drum systems, in that the drums are on the outside of the wheels to facilitate fast cooling, and the wings actually have aircraft style flaps for slowing from high speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
• Engine : Gas Turbine
• Power: 276 kw (370 BHP)
• Torque: ???
• Engine location: Mid
PERFORMANCE
• 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Time = 4.8 secs
• Top Speed Tested = 161km/h (100 mph)
• Top Speed Estimated by GM = 322 km/h+ (200 mph+)
BRAKES
• 4 Wheeled external Drum Brakes
OTHER
• Flaps raise to slow the car down from High Speed
DRIVETRAIN
• Layout Mid engine, Rear-wheel drive system
• 2 Speed Manual transmission
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
• Weight: 1134 kg (2500 lbs)
• Wheelbase: 2540 mm (100 inches)
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