Allison Jet Engine Car
Background
The Allison jet engine car was a land speed racing car powered by a single Allison J33 turbojet engine. It was built in 1963 by a team led by Dr. William P. Lear, founder of Learjet Corporation. The car was designed to break the land speed record, which at the time was held by John Cobb at 394.2 mph (634.4 km/h).
The Allison jet engine car was a very ambitious project. It was the first time that a jet engine had been used to power a land speed racing car. The team faced many challenges in developing the car, including the need to design a new transmission and to find a way to control the car’s immense power.
Design
The Allison jet engine car was a sleek and aerodynamic vehicle. It was made of aluminum and had a fiberglass body. The car was 28 feet long and weighed 2,500 pounds. It was powered by a single Allison J33 turbojet engine, which produced 5,000 pounds of thrust.
The car’s transmission was a three-speed manual transmission. The transmission was designed to handle the immense power of the jet engine. The car also had a parachute to help it slow down.
Performance
The Allison jet engine car was a very fast car. It set a new land speed record of 407.447 mph (655.725 km/h) in 1963. The record stood for three years until it was broken by the ThrustSSC in 1997.
The Allison jet engine car was a significant achievement in engineering. It was the first time that a jet engine had been used to power a land speed racing car. The car set a new land speed record and helped to pave the way for future land speed racing cars.
Legacy
The Allison jet engine car is still considered to be one of the most important land speed racing cars ever built. It was a groundbreaking vehicle that helped to push the limits of automotive technology. The car is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 28 feet
- Weight: 2,500 pounds
- Engine: Allison J33 turbojet
- Power: 5,000 pounds of thrust
- Transmission: Three-speed manual transmission
- Top speed: 407.447 mph (655.725 km/h)
