Fiat Turbina - The low-flyer from Turin

Premium

Fiat Turbina - The low-flyer from Turin

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created in 2021

Text:

Karl Ludvigsen (Übersetzung: Paul Krüger)

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

4

Rodolfo Mailander, Ludvigsen Partners

10

Ludvigsen Partners

9

Bruno von Rotz

1

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

1

Archiv

9

34

The Turbina in the Museo Nazionale dell`Automobile di Torino - Perhaps someone will dare to do another demo run at some point.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Fiat was the first manufacturer to present its turbine car to the public

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Turbina on the Fiat stand at the 1954 Turin Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Fiat development team and the Turbina at Turin-Caselle airport shortly before the demonstration

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Fiat test pilot and former racing driver Carlo Salamano stands at the driver's door

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The suicide doors were not a styling gimmick, but a result of the tubular frame

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Chief designer Dante Giacosa (left) and Fiat President Vittorio Valletta are visibly in good spirits at the demonstration

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

As a precaution, the turbine did not run at full power and only produced 150 hp instead of 200 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nevertheless, Salamano reached around 200 km/h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

What the picture (unfortunately) does not show is the jet-like screeching of the engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

View over the three combustion chambers of the turbine onto the dashboard

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressive collection of instruments on the dashboard

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Behind the Nardi steering wheel are two rev counters, six remote thermometers and three pressure gauges

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Turbina in the Museo Nazionale dell`Automobile di Torino

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Even in the sixties, he still fascinates young people

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The chassis of the Turbina. Clearly visible: the position of the batteries and the two tanks

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The inner workings of the Turbina. A tubular frame makes it light and stable

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sectional drawing to illustrate the air flow in the car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sectional drawing to illustrate air flow and power transmission

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Construction drawing of the Turbina body. Interesting: the steering wheel is upside down in the straight-ahead position

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Colored sectional view of the Tipo 8001 turbine and the final drive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The construction drawing by Virgilio Borsattino

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The dismantled drive unit in the Centro Storico Fiat

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The covers in the front do not conceal folding headlights, but the batteries

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Today, the Turbina is in the Museo Nazionale dell`Automobile di Torino

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sometimes it is loaned out for trade fairs.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Rover JET 1 was the first drivable turbine car in 1950

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The JET 1 during its record run on the Jabbeke-Ostende highway in Belgium, 244.6 km/h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The SOCEMA-Grégoire, here at the Rétromobile 2015, has never been shown in action

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Donated chassis and brakes for the Turbina: the Fiat 8V, also designed by Luigi Rapi

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Renault beat Fiat to the punch with the "Etoile Filante" (shooting star) world record car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Turbine Renault reached 307.4 km/h in Bonneville

You have only

1 out of 34

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In a country where family saloons are more beautiful than any foreign coupé and even vans need at least two camshafts, automotive engineering has always been committed to a certain aesthetic and speed. So it comes as no surprise that the first - and to this day only - turbine-powered car from Italy was a sports car that was as racy as it was extravagant. This article tells the story of the unique Turin rocket car and shows it in many historic pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Wartime knowledge for peacetime
Maximum secrecy
Three engineers start from scratch
Tipo 8001 is created
Noise on the roof
The engine is built
All home-made
How the drive worked
Dawn of the gas turbine
A modern chassis and a lightweight frame
Luigi Rapi designs the bodywork
Carlo Salamano takes off for the first drive
Demonstration runs at the airport
Consistent further development
More power with better durability
The world record attempt

Estimated reading time: 22min

Preview (beginning of the article)

After the end of the Second World War, interest in gas turbines for civilian use rose to unimagined heights. The presentation of the new jet engines for jet fighters at the beginning of 1944 was a sensation. Aircraft without propellers! The equally fast and smooth-running turbines could of course still drive propellers - or wheels. And so everyone was soon wondering who would be the first to dare to combine this fascinating new source of power with automobiles. Whoever it was, they would be sure to attract attention and recognition, as no other propulsion unit had ever excited the press and public to such an extent. As a result, engineers from automobile and aircraft companies all over the world took a chance on this new type of drive.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: