Remember That Chrysler Turbine Engine For Sale?

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 04/26/2016 at 10:25 • Filed to: None

52

100

A few weeks ago, the internet was atwitter about a Chrysler Turbine engine which had popped up for sale on Ebay. Articles were written, speculations abounded and . . . nothing happened. So, here’s the story.

The first week of April, a 7th generation Chrysler turbine engine was listed for sale on Ebay. I got bombarded with emails and notes because I have written !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Soon, articles started popping up as well. Many of them were - how shall we put this? - imprecise. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! said the engine was to be placed in a Chrysler New Yorker. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the engine was intended for production. Several hinted it could be made to run quite easily. Some ran with the production figure of seven (as in, this was one-of-seven built) although this was not necessarily the case. The program called for Chrysler to provide at least 7 engines for the program (which was a joint operation between Chrysler, the DOE and NASA) but they very well may have made a few more. You know: just in case.

For a quick run-down of the Turbine Car program, see my low-budget video (11:00 for this engine).

The cover shot there is of the 4th Generation turbine being installed into the most well-known of the Turbine cars at the Greenfield facility. Now, fast forward to today.

So, the turbine was on Ebay and the pics looked good. A friend of mine asked me if I would take a look at the turbine engine for him to see if it might be worth bidding on. I contacted the seller and arranged a visit. The seller is a very nice gentleman who runs a salvage yard in metropolitan Detroit.

I drove over and walked into his office. He was behind the counter and the engine was in the corner. There was no mistaking it: It was a 7th generation turbine engine. He rolled it out into the middle of the floor so I could walk around it and he even unbolted the transmission housing he had added (which was not original to the engine). He told me the story of how it came into his possession and it made sense. A while back Chrysler had scrapped a bunch of stuff from one of their facilities and the turbine was in the mix. Someone had the foresight to grab it and put it indoors while everything else was thrown out back.

The engine does have fittings and things which clearly indicate this was one of the engines used for test purposes. (Three were placed in cars and four were run in test cells.) It showed a little damage on its underside where it had likely fallen or been dropped. It was also missing a portion of the intake. But, everything in the turbine appeared to be interconnected and to turn freely. This is important as some of the turbines Chrysler disposed of back in the day had parts removed from them to render them incomplete.

I took a bunch of pics (and a selfie, of course) and thanked the owner for showing it to me. I passed the pics along to my friend who decided to not make a bid on it when the bidding passed $9,000. Them something strange happened: the seller pulled the listing. It has since been relisted a few more times but as of this writing (4/26) the turbine engine is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It has a Buy It Now price of $25,000.

I’ve had several people ask me what I think the engine is worth. It’s hard to say. I doubt anyone could get it running without a ton of know-how and money and the estimate of how much money would also require a ton of know-how (after tearing the engine apart and figuring out what was there and what was not). Most of the parts inside this engine were unique to this engine and would have to be fabricated if need be. Some of the mundane things like seals could also prove deceptively expensive.

I personally thought I’d be willing to pay $7,500 or so for it. Not to do anything with it but to just stick it in my living room and look at it. But I suspect it will sell a little north of that. How far north? Check out the listing from time to time and maybe we’ll find out one day.

Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Hear my podcast on iTunes: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 24 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we’re not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn’t act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

CalzoneGolem > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:28

24

I was really hoping this story would end with a turbine powered Ford Explorer.

SteveLehto > CalzoneGolem 04/26/2016 at 10:29

4

So was I!

CalzoneGolem > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:29

5

Never give up on your dreams Steve!

EL_ULY > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:29

0

Yeah $25k is a high price. Unless the seller recently found something out non of us know yet. * dramatic music *

jimz > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:30

2

definitely an engineering/test piece, fully instrumented with thermocouples and what look like pressure taps. would be interesting to see inside the thing and get a glimpse of how it’s laid out.

Takuro Spirit > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:32

2

At least the spark plug is easy to change.

BigBlock440 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:41

1

I was wondering what had happened to it. I was watching the listing seriously contemplating on bidding and suddenly it disappeared.

SteveLehto > BigBlock440 04/26/2016 at 10:42

1

He has relisted it several times. Kind of a reverse-auction, lowering the buy it now price each time. He started at $50K.

Justin Hughes > CalzoneGolem 04/26/2016 at 10:47

2

I vote for a turbine Fiesta.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 10:57

1

Lots of know-how. Great story; thanks.

ridered777 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:01

16

I clicked in the hopes that you purchased, and this was going into a Lemons car. I am the disappoint.

SteveLehto > ridered777 04/26/2016 at 11:02

16

We are all disappointed, I assure you.

alan > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:03

5

someone buy this and put it in a black crown vic! that would be the ultimate men in black replica car

infinityedge > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:12

3

What should happen: a geeky gear head with money and either a machine shop in their garage and/or real stuff at work should buy it, rebuild it then stuff it into a Chrysler frame of that era totally reskinned as a 60s concept car of the future, complete with bubble top, fins, and crazy interior.

What probably will happen: it will rot in a warehouse in Dubai or Hong Kong. The damn thing is probably too collectible for its own good.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:15

1

Torch wrote today about the mods required to stuff the new Porsche I4 into a Bug - I suggest a turbine would make for a much more exotic solution.

the 1969 Dodge Charger Guy > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:16

0

You want to see the Chrysler turbine in action, check out the ‘64 flick, The Lively Set with James Darren . The turbine car is in the big race and of course the movie makers had to have the car’s hood come flying off. That move proved it was the real deal turbine that was racing.

SteveLehto > infinityedge 04/26/2016 at 11:16

2

I ran this by a few people in the business and they said it could get crazy expensive to make run - and you wouldn’t know until you pulled it apart. Don’t get me wrong: It would be really cool to do that - but just something that would probably take an insane amount of money to accomplish.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:17

3

A relic from when Chrysler was innovative.

SteveLehto > the 1969 Dodge Charger Guy 04/26/2016 at 11:18

1

The movie is silly, but the turbine scenes are priceless. (The racing scenes were clearly written and directed by someone who had never seen cars race in any setting. Remember the “race” scene in the parking lot - the one without a turbine car? It’s nonsensical.)

computiNATEor > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:20

5

Luckily for car guys, a certain ex-talk show host has poured many thousands of dollars into cars that will likely never be worth much at all. What’s his name again? Jason Lenon? ;)

torque > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:20

1

I can understand (ebay posting pulled), owner is trying to maximize what they can get for it.

And you’re right (Steve) I’d think this would be hard to price.

If you want to build a turbine car, I’d think it would be cheaper, easier to get & use a retired helicopter jet engine like Leno’s turbine car or his turbine bike. Plus these will have the added benefit of being a hell of a lot younger than this turbine, so benefits in tech., materials, reliability, efficiency, etc...

So you have to find someone that is going to love this for the history it represents & be happy that in all likely hood it will never run again and no matter how cool it is, there’s only so much someone will pay for a cool paperweight

StuntmanDan > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:20

1

It appears that he found some benefit to listing it as a car with an engine as opposed to just an engine. I don’t remember the first listing very clearly though. Like others, I opened this hoping you had bought it Steve. Now I’m disappointed. Don’t you need a ‘68 Coronet that happens to come with a turbine engine?

Think! aka anotherburner111122223333 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:21

1

And it comes with a “rotted out”, no axle or wheels, 1968 Coronet!

But returns are not accepted...

I guess I’ll pass...

Nomind > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:23

3

I could see someone like Jay Leno picking this up, and then having it fixed, and a car built around it. He already has someone on staff that knows a thing or two about turbine engines.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:24

1

Something tells me you like Chryslers LOL.

Keep up the good work with the podcasts and posts!

SteveLehto > computiNATEor 04/26/2016 at 11:25

2

Jay has two turbine cars, one turbine motorcycle and one display turbine - among his many other automotive items.

OPPOsaurus WRX > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:25

2

i’m disappointed that the story didn’t end with, “and then I told my friend to get lost and purchased it myself”. You could put it into a superbird and have quite a unique ride

SteveLehto > StuntmanDan 04/26/2016 at 11:27

1

Had something to do with how Ebay handles “cars” versus “auto parts.” The first listing had it as a part of a car.

I’d love to have it but it’s too pricey for me. I’d just look at it.

KillerBee > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:27

2

Those yellow plugs look like thermocouple connectors, n’est pas?

SteveLehto > Nomind 04/26/2016 at 11:28

2

He has three turbine vehicles (two cars, one bike) but this one might be prohibitively expensive to repair.

SteveLehto > KillerBee 04/26/2016 at 11:29

0

I believe so. There are all kinds of plugs and wires hanging off this thing.

James May is my spirit animal > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:30

1

You are a mad, mad, beautiful man for following your dreams, but knowing when to fold.

EvilSuperMonkey > KillerBee 04/26/2016 at 11:32

0

Yes they are

AfromanGTO > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:34

2

So Jay Leno hasn’t bought it yet??

Zeshons > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:34

1

That fact that that it’s been dropped makes me nervous. The bearings probably have a flat spot.

SteveLehto > AfromanGTO 04/26/2016 at 11:35

4

No. Contrary to popular belief, he shops around and doesn’t just buy everything for sale. He already has two turbine cars, one turbine motorcycle and one display turbine engine.

lostinspacecamp > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:39

2

I love your stuff man, but you look like the manager of a Jewel. Gotta switch that hair up my dude.

MUZZ > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:40

4

But it’s Jay Leno!? how many of his projects were “cost prohibitive” but he did it anyway?

I can't think of anyone better to buy this and have it sit around the shop for spare parts. It might just pay for itself if he needed something off of it instead of having to fab another from scratch.

SteveLehto > lostinspacecamp 04/26/2016 at 11:42

3

I’m not even sure what a “Jewel” is. Someplace hep where the kids shop these days?

T-800 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:43

2

Even still, it almost seems criminal from a historical perspective to not make at least an attempt at getting it running. If I had the money I know I would. The one time I’ve had the chance to see one of the Turbine cars my girlfriend got really annoyed and couldnt understand what the big deal was and why I had been looking at every inch of it for an hour.

SteveLehto > MUZZ 04/26/2016 at 11:44

1

This engine is not the same as either of the ones in his two cars (or his motorcycle). It would not work as a donor. As a paperweight - yes. The question is simply: How much do you pay for a paperweight?

takehikes > AfromanGTO 04/26/2016 at 11:44

4

I have a freind that has a connection with Jay. He sent it to him and he said no thanks I have one.

JGrabowMSt > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:45

0

Im pretty sure I casually mentioned one out in the wild some time ago. Didnt realize it was going for up to auction.

I do have good sources!

SteveLehto > T-800 04/26/2016 at 11:45

0

Which one did you see?

It would be very cool to see it run, I agree. Little known fact: At least one of the cars equipped with this engine still exists. Hard to get your eyes on it though. I’m still working on it . . .

55_mercury > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:46

1

Something tells me the owner should probably have not have pulled the listing and taken whatever it went for the first time. If it was already past $9,000 then I’d say that’s pretty damned good. If there’s something I’ve learned before its that if you initially post something in an auction and later pull it, whomever your bidders were the first time are probably going to be annoyed and stay away the second time.

SteveLehto > JGrabowMSt 04/26/2016 at 11:47

0

Are you talking about this one? I actually heard about this one a few years ago too but did not attempt to track it down because the story I heard was missing a few details and seemed just sketchy enough for me to not believe.

Vox Calamitous in Deserto > alan 04/26/2016 at 11:48

1

An LTD would be better.

The Devil Drives a Mustang (Rotary Pending) > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:50

1

In specific, they look to be Omega OSTW-CC-K-M.

Or an equivalent brand. These connectors are pretty standardized.

PandaSupra > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:51

0

Have any information on the Kleptz turbine car out of Indiana? I was lucky enough to see it in his collection. Was even able to be around when he started it for our group.

Kleptz had a story of him and Leno driving the car some years ago. He also made mention that Leno helped him get it running.

EasternPacific > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:51

1

I drove 2200 miles over the last few days in my “easy breathing” 7.3PSD and the whine from the turbo was glorious! I felt like I was riding a screaming jet down the highway. As I basked in the racket while matting it through a tunnel with the windows down, I found myself thinking of this engine from the previous article and wondering what happened to it. Thanks for the update!

stevomr5 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:52

2

Leno could do it. And most likely is. Unless he has one already

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:52

3

Heard somewhere (Leno?) that most of these cars were crushed. Like the GM electric car ... what is up with that? Neither car was a miss - let the public appreciate them.

T-800 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:52

0

#991244 at the Peterson Museum in LA. Would love to see one outside a museum so I could look at it closer in more detail, the docent in the area denied my request to pop the hood.

the 1969 Dodge Charger Guy > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:53

1

Yup, you want to define a “popcorn flick”, it’s The Lively Set . All I recall is the racing with the hood flying off and Pamela Tiffen effing with Darren’s head by dumping her milk shake into his hot rod’s gas tank.

If it popped up on TV, I’d give it another watch.

MUZZ > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 11:55

0

Doh! That thought crossed my mind when I read “7th gen” in your post. I didnt know what generation turbine powered his car.

BigBlock440 > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 11:56

2

Most of them were crushed, but this engine was several generations past that.

SteveLehto > PandaSupra 04/26/2016 at 11:59

3

Yes, I’ve seen that car too. I have a chapter about that story in my book. I interviewed Frank a while back (he passed). His son now has the car.

SteveLehto > stevomr5 04/26/2016 at 12:00

10

He has two turbine cars, one turbine motorcycle and one display turbine already.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:01

5

Yes, 46 of the 55 Ghia Turbines were crushed. The later ones were not. (They were built here so had no issues with importing etc).

SteveLehto > T-800 04/26/2016 at 12:02

0

When I saw the Petersen car, it was parked next to a display engine.

SteveLehto > MUZZ 04/26/2016 at 12:02

1

The Ghia Turbine he has is powered by a 4th gen.

alan > Vox Calamitous in Deserto 04/26/2016 at 12:05

0

exactly!

DMCVegas > MUZZ 04/26/2016 at 12:06

1

He’s Jay Leno, bro. Not UNICEF.

Besides, contrary to Sara McLaughlin and her damn song, you can’t rescue EVERYTHING out there. Be it unwanted pets waiting to be euthanized, or unwanted cars and prototype engines waiting to be crushed.

-Tom- > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:09

1

Steve, Remember how you were bored and wanted something to do in your spare time/retirement?

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:14

1

Now I remember - Leno took James May for a ride in season 2 of Cars of the People.

infinityedge > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:15

3

That’s why whoever takes this on needs access to a machine shop and the knowledge to make use of it.

This is only 60s technology after all. You could probably get by with an old manual mill and lathe. Have access to a bunch of CNC gear? Easy peasy.

A true noble of gearheads would take it apart, 3D scan every piece, and publicly release the CAD files so other geeks could make their own.

Wotsac > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:17

2

Mid-market grocery store chain in the Midwest.

ThatGuyToolingAroundInTheShitbox > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:21

5

Then something strange happened: the seller pulled the listing. It has since been relisted a few more times but as of this writing (4/26) the turbine engine is still listed for sale . It has a Buy It Now price of $25,000.

Duh. He figured out he was getting publicity for it and that he could ask more. So he adjusted the auction accordingly. Duh.

StolenIdentity(TrueMopar4Life) > infinityedge 04/26/2016 at 12:21

1

Hmm, just so happen to have a few CNC mills, lathe, and old bridgeports. Think it could be made to work.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:22

4

There is an episode of Jay’s Garage that I am in (talking about this car).

-Tom- > -Tom- 04/26/2016 at 12:22

0

Also, Steve....Turbine Explorer...think about it.

SteveLehto > ThatGuyToolingAroundInTheShitbox 04/26/2016 at 12:23

11

And then it didn’t sell.

K5ING > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:24

1

Grab a box of Kleenex before watching....

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:25

1

That happened to a great many concepts and prototypes, and still happens today. A lot of lawyer talk about liability and brand image if people are getting a hold of dodgy old concept cars and prototypes with highly specialised parts. I personally think most of their reasoning is bullshit, but what do I know, I’m just a bitter internet commenter.

I’ll quote the Cheeto Dust Bunny and just end with “sad.”

John > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:26

1

Is it on youtube?

SteveLehto > John 04/26/2016 at 12:28

8

Yes.

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:28

1

I think that’s one of the few I missed - I’ll watch it later today.

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > the 1969 Dodge Charger Guy 04/26/2016 at 12:29

1

Was that a “thing” in the 60s? I always thought it was very strange in The Love Bug when Thorndyke puts a can of whipped cream into Herbie’s gas tank.

ThatGuyToolingAroundInTheShitbox > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:30

0

The listing is still going. It has just over 2 days left.

But it’s not going to sell for that much. Even Leno wouldn’t pay that much for it.

Steve in Manhattan > K5ING 04/26/2016 at 12:32

1

Stopped 1:45 in - not going there. Sure, it’s not a person, but it’s something that should have been preserved. Like if today, I walked by a lowered, riced CRX Si and realized it was my old car. Yeah, I’d get weepy.

Steve in Manhattan > CalzoneGolem 04/26/2016 at 12:33

2

So it would still flip over, but faster?

K5ING > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:36

0

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don’t think I’ve made it through that entire video. Just sad.

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:36

3

If I had tons of money, I’d fix it up and put in a replica of the GRX:

SteveLehto > ThatGuyToolingAroundInTheShitbox 04/26/2016 at 12:37

0

This is the 3rd or 4th listing. He keep re-listing it with lower prices.

REO Jackwagon > ridered777 04/26/2016 at 12:40

0

That’s what I thought, based on the picture

Steve in Manhattan > K5ING 04/26/2016 at 12:46

1

Yeah - if they’re crushing old Malibus, I’m not moved. On the other hand, how many Plymouth Satellites or Barracudas are left? A random pull, sure, but I wonder.

atfsgeoff > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:46

23

This would be a really awesome project for a turbine specialist. I almost feel like Jay Leno should buy this and hire a team of young/fresh engineers along with any retired Chrysler turbine project engineers he can find. The patents to this should have long since expired, so you could reverse engineer it and publish all the specs for all the parts and the principles of operation.

CalzoneGolem > Steve in Manhattan 04/26/2016 at 12:47

0

and while burning any number of fuels.

SteveLehto > atfsgeoff 04/26/2016 at 12:50

8

The specs and so on are all available. The problem is that many of the parts have to be custom made and involve a lot of expertise and money. Once you have it finished, what do you do with it?

Steve in Manhattan > CalzoneGolem 04/26/2016 at 12:55

0

I think they said it would run on vodka, but I’d have to check the James May program ....

Steve Harvey Oswald > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 12:55

41

Drop it in a Miata?

SteveLehto > Steve Harvey Oswald 04/26/2016 at 12:56

25

I believe this is one scenario where “Miata” is not the answer.

Keith > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:00

1

I think 25k is pushing it. It’s very interesting but the truth is, this needs someone with a lot of expertise and time to fix it. Jim down the street who did my brake job might not be up to task. I think if it was going north of 9-10k the seller should’ve been happy and cashed out.

Except for people like you who have other vested interest in the concept of it, as an actual engine, you’d have to pay me to try to put this into a project car. Sure it’d be awesome if it got working, but the time and money there would render that option non-viable.

I’d like to find any other auction for a broken engine that ends that high and the seller walks. I don’t mean to take some of the magic out of it- the concept is really cool.. but still, this is a broken engine.

npc58501 > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:00

6

You put it into a Chevy Volt or some plug in hybrid. Turbine engines are made to spin at maximum efficiency. The ICE in a PHEV is really supposed to be there to keep the batteries charged on long trips. A turbine running could turn on, charge the batteries and then stay off unless needed again.

PICKLEBOY > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:01

0

someone should contact Jay Leno and he could buy it and put it in what it would have been in originally. Jay loves obscure and special cars, I’m sure he’d tackle it.

SteveLehto > npc58501 04/26/2016 at 13:02

6

That’s probably the best use for a turbine in general - a turbine/electric hybrid. Not sure about THIS one for that purpose but it is a good idea.

DirtyVDub > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:07

5

It has to go into a reproduction of the turbine car. That’s the history, that’s the historical value. Otherwise that’s like finding an original Ferrari 125S racing motor and putting it in your Cobra.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:09

1

For some reason, I imagined the turbine engine as being more compact.

NO > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:09

3

Then you’re not believing hard enough

NO > SteveLehto 04/26/2016 at 13:11

55

I have created an artist’s rendering of what the restoration process would look like