The Autocar Gas Turbine COE

[kscarbel2]

To date, we’ve discussed the gas turbine research of Chevrolet, Cummins, Ford, Freightliner, GMC, International Harvester, Mack Trucks and Paccar (Boeing). We even mentioned French truckmaker Berliet’s gas turbine-powered T100 “Tulsa”.

So we would certainly be remiss if we didn’t mention the gas turbine-powered Autocar GT7464TDB 6x4 COE tractor.

Research began in 1966 at the company’s Exton, Pennsylvania plant and a running prototype emerged in 1967. The truck was road-tested throughout Canada.

Autocar took advantage of the resources available to it thru its ownership by White Motor Company, and utilized a modified White 7000 COE cab and chassis for the project.

Note the Autocar emblem above the grille, and generously sized fuel tanks.

Also note how in the one photo, Autocar engineers appear to have created an extended cab design which hides the turbine’s unsightly exhaust stacks from view.

Power was generated by a model OT-4 recuperative two-stage axial flow gas turbine produced by the Orenda division of Hawker Siddeley Canada.

The OT-4 was rated at an impressive 600 horsepower and weighed in at 2,294 pounds. Like the Garrett GT-601 gas turbine used by Mack Trucks, the OT-4 was also evaluated in military applications as well including the M-48 "Patton" main battle tank.

Gas turbine-powered naval craft included the Flying DUKW, LARC V, LCA (landing craft assault) and the Chrysler-built LVH-X1 (landing vehicle hydrofoil-experimental) and LVW-X1 (landing vehicle wheeled-experimental).

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31891-the-gas-turbine-general-motors-bison-iii/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31898-the-gas-turbine-chevrolet-turbo-titan-iii/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/32110-where-was-cummins-during-the-gas-turbine-truck-race/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/32038-fords-futuristic-gas-turbine-big-red/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/32060-the-ford-w-1000-gas-turbine/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31978-freightliners-turboliners/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31951-the-gmc-astro-95-and-astro-ss-gas-turbine-tractors/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/32139-the-turbostar-from-international/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/32014-the-gt-601-gas-turbine-powered-macks/

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31883-paul-berliet-and-his-t100s/

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[Green Dash]

I was unaware that so many manufacturers had were experimenting with turbines but I guess no one wanted to be left behind.

Here's an article from a 1973 Overdrive:

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso.html

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso-1.html

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso-2.html

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso-3.html

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso-4.html

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_magazines/truck-and-trucking-/1973-overdrive-magazine/01-overdrive-magazi/january-1973-alliso-5.html

[BC Mack]

Over in the UK, Leyland produced this around 1968.... and it still appears at occasional shows such as Gaydon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDetvPcg3tA

more as a proof of concept but I surmise came to the same result as others.. life cycle costs vs. light weight benefit.

BC Mack