Chrysler's Turbine Car
The Rise and Fall of Detroit’s Coolest Creation
$34.99
- Paperback
288 pages
- Release Date
9 December 2025
Summary
“Fascinating.” —Vanity Fair
“A delightful history.” —Wall Street Journal
In 1964, Chrysler gave the world a glimpse of the future. The automaker built a fleet of turbine cars—automobiles with jet engines—and lent them out to members of the public. The fleet logged over a million miles; the exercise was a raging success. If the cars had been mass produced, today we might have cars that run on any flammable liquid instead of petroleum-derived f…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780897336291 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0897336291 |
| Author: | Steve Lehto, Jay Leno |
| Publisher: | Chicago Review Press |
| Imprint: | Chicago Review Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 288 |
| Release Date: | 9 December 2025 |
| Weight: | 489g |
| Dimensions: | 20mm x 152mm x 228mm |
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Critics Review
“A detailed, entertaining meander through the history of ‘Detroit’s Coolest Car.’” —New York Times
“A detailed, entertaining meander through the history of ‘Detroit’s Coolest Car.’”
* New York Times *“A fascinating example of engineering and product development… . Motorheads will love it.”
* Library Journal *“A delightful history.”
* Wall Street Journal *“Steve Lehto’s lively history of Chrysler’s turbine car program is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the automobile in the jet age.”
– David N. Lucsko, author, The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990“A meticulously researched, sometimes sobering, always fascinating account of the coolest car ever to come out of Detroit—and why you can’t buy it. At a time of skyrocketing gasoline prices and gas-electric hybrids, the world would do well to consider Lehto’s loving history of the alternative-fuel engine that could run on peanuts—literally—and the car that looked good doing it. Chrysler’s Turbine Car demonstrates that the best ideas don’t always need to be developed; sometimes they only need to be rediscovered.”
– Karen Dionne, author of Freezing Point“Compelling and strongly researched… . An excellent history.”
* Hemmings Classic Car *“Captivating… . 100% enjoyable reading that virtually any car buff will enjoy.”
* Mopar Action *“The story of Chrysler’s lengthy involvement with turbine power is related with enthusiasm and in fascinating detail.”
* Globe and Mail *“A detailed, entertaining meander through the history of ‘Detroit’s Coolest Car.’” —New York Times
“A fascinating example of engineering and product development… . Motorheads will love it.” —Library Journal
“A delightful history.” —Wall Street Journal
“Steve Lehto’s lively history of Chrysler’s turbine car program is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the automobile in the jet age.” —David N. Lucsko, author, The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990
“A meticulously researched, sometimes sobering, always fascinating account of the coolest car ever to come out of Detroit—and why you can’t buy it. At a time of skyrocketing gasoline prices and gas-electric hybrids, the world would do well to consider Lehto’s loving history of the alternative-fuel engine that could run on peanuts—literally—and the car that looked good doing it. Chrysler’s Turbine Car demonstrates that the best ideas don’t always need to be developed; sometimes they only need to be rediscovered.” —Karen Dionne, author of Freezing Point
“Compelling and strongly researched… . An excellent history.” —Hemmings Classic Car
“Captivating… . 100% enjoyable reading that virtually any car buff will enjoy.” —Mopar Action
“The story of Chrysler’s lengthy involvement with turbine power is related with enthusiasm and in fascinating detail.” —Globe and Mail
Steve Lehto
Steve Lehto is the author of Preston Tucker and His Battle to Build the Car of Tomorrow, Death’s Door: The Truth Behind Michigan’s Largest Mass Murder (a 2007 Michigan Notable Book), and Michigan’s Columbus: The Life of Douglass Houghton. He is an adjunct professor of law and Michigan history at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Jay Leno is a stand-up comedian, a television host, and a writer. He contributed a column to Popular Mechanics that showcased his collection of more than two hundred vehicles and advice about automotive topics.
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