American Howmet TX--the particular turbine with a pursuit winning document

The American Howmet TX turbine was pieced together by a bundle of SCCA drivers led Ray Heppenstall in 1967. Heppenstall had developed his own pattern for a gas powered turbine engine. Howmet Society funded his project, lending their name to his car.

Two turbine engines were leased from Continental Aviation & Engineering. The TS325-1 gauze turbines were prototypes for unsuccessful bid on a military helicopter. The loaned turbines weighed 170 lb could provide 325 bhp and 650 lb ft of torque. The engines could reach a maximum 57,000 rpm.

Bob McKee, of McKee Engineer, designed two extent frame chassis for the projectâ "the ahead was really built from an older McKee car and adapted for the turbine engine. The second was built from scratch, and purposely designed around the use of a turbine engine.

A the carâ s inaugural race, 24 Hours of Daytona, the driving team of Heppenstall, Dick Thompson and Ed Lowther certified with the seventh fastest overall lap time. The TX was running third, when on circle 34 the turbine wastegate failed to open, giving the chauffeur too much bent for the corner. While navigating a corner, the car spun into a barrier, forcing the company to retire

The history-making relay was in June, 1968, when Heppenstall won the Huntsville Public Race, the first race ever won by a turbine powered car.

In 1969, Howmet withdrew support of the racing program, and used the cars for promotional purposes instead. Two year later, the collection ceased the promotional program and sold the chassis to Heppenstall for $1. The turbine engines had to be returned to Continental. Heppenstall kept the two chassis for several years, eventually selling them. Bruce Linsmeyer, of Avon Aero, purchased Chassis #GTP1 in 2006, and restored it with an original Continental turbine. The car won the Sebring Trophy in 2007 at Amelia Island Concours dâ Elegance.

Keywords: