Chrysler
Turbine Car (Ghia body)

Why it matters

The Ghia-bodied Turbine Car was the centrepiece of one of the largest consumer test programmes ever run by a carmaker, putting gas-turbine cars in the hands of ordinary drivers. It never led to a production car, and all but five of the 55 cars were crushed afterwards.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Chrysler Turbine Car (Ghia body) (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler Turbine Car)
  Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave a note at Wikipedia here. Thank you! · Public domain
• Chrysler Turbine Car (Ghia body) (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler Turbine Car)
  Photo: Oaktree b · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Chrysler Turbine Car (Ghia body) (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler Turbine Car)
  Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0
• Chrysler Turbine Car (Ghia body) (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler Turbine Car)
  Photo: Rochkind · CC BY 3.0
• Chrysler Turbine Car (Ghia body) (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler Turbine Car)
  Photo: Anefo · CC0 1.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Chrysler's turbine work began in 1954, and the Ghia cars of 1962–1966 used its fourth-generation turbine. Styling was guided by Elwood P. Engel and the bodies were built by Ghia in Italy. From 29 October 1963 to 28 January 1966 the cars were loaned to 203 drivers, with 46 cars in the public programme. Afterwards, largely because of import duties on the Italian bodies, all but five museum cars were crushed.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

All 50 loan cars wore Turbine Bronze metallic paint, a black vinyl roof and a bronze interior; the five earlier prototypes varied in colour and trim. Distinguishing details are the jet-burner style tail lamps with pod-style back-up lights, the headlamps in chrome nacelles, tyres with turbine vanes moulded into the white sidewalls, a centre console with turbine-style controls, and a dash with speedometer, tachometer and a pyrometer for turbine temperature. The visible 'turbine' decoration at the rear is for looks only.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Chrysler’s ill-fated Turbine program went way beyond the iconic Ghia car Level B Hagerty Media

   • 55 Chrysler Turbines were built
   • one of only nine surviving examples
   • 130 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque
   • Shipped to Michigan and mated to a bespoke chassis

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   NZ Classic Car – The Bronze Blowtorch: Chrysler's ill-fated turbine car programme Level C

   • 55 cars built (5 prototypes + 50 for the programme); 46 loaned to the public

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   Chrysler Turbine Car Level B MoparInsiders

   • Only nine Chrysler Turbine Cars are known to have survived
   • A-831 turbine engine, the fourth generation
   • Chrysler dependable TorqueFlite automatic transmission
   • power drum brakes all around

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   The Bronze Blowtorch: Chrysler's ill-fated turbine car programme Level C NZ Classic Car

   • fourth-generation gas turbine
   • Horsepower: 130 (gross)
   • wheelbase 110 in
   • Top speed: 120mph

   Accessed 2026-11-11
5. 5
   Muscle Cars You Should Know: 64 Chrysler Ghia Turbine Car Level B Street Muscle

   • switching from one fuel to another required NO adjustments
   • 425 lbs. of torque at ZERO output shaft speed rpms
   • independent front coil springs at each wheel
   • leaf springs and direct-acting shock absorbers in the rear
   • 0-to-60 mph in 12 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-12
6. 6
   The Bronze Blowtorch: Chrysler’s ill-fated turbine car programme Level B New Zealand Classic Car

   • Spinning at 44,500 revolutions per minute
   • zero to 60mph in 12 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-12