MAKE/MODEL


YEAR


CARS

CONCEPT CARS

SUVS-VANS

CONCEPT SUVS

-
DIVIDER_large
 
 

GM XP-21 Firebird 1 : 1953

« Prev | 13 / 41 | Next »
Filed under:  Oddball
 
Comment(s): 1
 
 
MSRP Engine HP Manufactured
n/a gas turbine 370.0 1953 - 1953
View all cars for:  GM
Search for GM XP-21 Firebird 1 : 1953 on: eBay

The 1953 XP-21 Firebird 1 was the first gas turbine automobile ever to be built and tested in the United States.

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 05.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. (source: GM)

Designed strictly as an engineering and styling exercise, Firebird 1 was intended to determine whether the gas turbine could be used as an efficient and economical powerplant for future vehicles.

The idea for Firebird 1 originated with Harley J. Earl, the legendary GM Styling Vice President, who also designed the car's aircraft-inspired fiberglass-reinforced plastic body. The engine, termed "Whirlfire Turbo-Power," was developed under the direction of Charles L. McCuen, then general manager of GM Research Laboratories Division.

Unlike a jet airplane, which develops thrust through the action of exhaust gas through a tailcone, the Whirlfire Turbo-Power engine propelled the Firebird 1 through a power turbine acting on the rear wheels via a transmission. The engine was capable of 370 hp at a power turbine speed of 13,000 rpm.

(source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 01.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. (source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 04.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. (source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 02.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. (source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 03.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. (source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 08.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1. Harley Earl with Mauri Rose, Indy champion and Firebird I test driver. (source: GM)

gm xp 21 firebird 1 53 06.png

1953 GM XP-21 Firebird 1 logo. (source: GM)

gm 2

GM logo.

RELATED ARTICLES
General Motors Firebird III : 1958   
LINKS
GM   Official site.
 
 
ABOUT EDITORS CONTACT
-
Advertise on Cartype
-
Instagram Vimeo Youtube Twitter Facebook
-
-
THE "1900's" BOOK.
Each decade seems to have its own stylistic language, and this issue showcases logos, ads, cars, companies and products (and their typographical sensibilities) from the early 1900s.

divider
Jrop Roadside
Car Shipping Companies
Auto Transport Quotes
Vehicle Transportation
-
-

NOTICE

Much of the material on this website is copyrighted. Original articles appearing herein are subject to copyright. Please don't copy stuff from the site without asking; it may belong to someone! Any trademarks appearing on this site are the sole property of the registered owners. No endorsement by trademark owners is to be construed. The products, brand names, characters, related slogans and indicia are or may by claimed as trademarks of their respective owners. Every effort has been made whenever possible to credit the sources. The use of such material falls under the Fair Use provisions of intellectual property laws.