Along with the Ford Eifel we spotted at one of the stops during the Great Race, we also spent some time looking over this fiberglass Model T roadster with a rather interesting drivetrain: a Boeing 502-6 turboshaft engine that was re-purposed from a US Navy minesweeper.
First used by the Navy in the Fifties, two of these turbine engines would power a magnetic generator that produced an electric charge that blew up underwater mines. A Boeing 502 engine also powered the world’s first gas turbine powered helicopter, a modified Kaman K-225 in December of 1951. Surprisingly enough, the Boeing 502-6 gas turboshaft engine only produces 160hp at 23,725 RPM and has a super low 3:1 compression ratio. The engine’s two through-flow combustors are ignited by glow plug igniters. Fuel consumption is 15 GPH kerosene or Jet A at idle and 18 GPH at full throttle. Acceleration is regulated by a quadrant-type throttle as is used in modern jets. A reduction gearbox spins the output shaft at 2,750 RPM.
The engine is only 43 inches long and weighs around 250 pounds. In the T-bucket here, it’s oil cooled by a confiscated John Deere 8760 tractor oil cooler and an auxiliary fan. The transmission is hydrostatic, out of a 715 International combine, and hydraulic oil is supplied by a 30-gallon tank under the seat. The fiberglass T-bucket body sits on a tube frame, with front and rear spindles from a 1968 Fiat 124. It uses front rack and pinion steering from a Mustang. Two beer kegs in the bed of the truck supply the needed kerosene. The car uses 24-volt electrics as is the standard for military equipment.
All that said, the engine and transmission package will only do about 70 MPH, but you sure would have a fun time getting there.
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