1963 Chrysler Turbine: Ultimate Edition - Jay Leno's Garage

1963 Chrysler Turbine: Ultimate Edition. It's the amazing car Jay's lusted after since he was 14 years old, and today's episode is packed with all kinds of amazing footage! We've got a book review, a road test, and Chrysler's original promotional video.

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1963 Chrysler Turbine: Ultimate Edition - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno's Garage

[Jeff]

I was fortunate to have been selected to ride in a Chrysler Turbine Car on a test track at the 1964-1965 NY World's Fair. It was quite a car and I still remember the ride today. I was 12 years old. As a keepsake, to commemorate my selection, I was given a model of the car, which is still on display in my home today.

[erdingtown]

I AM 72 YEARS OLD NOW, BUT WHEN I WAS 17 AND LIVING IN A SUBURB OF DETROIT, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, DICK WANTON, WORKED FOR CHRYSLER AND HAD THIS CAR IN HIS GARAGE. I WENT FOR A RIDE ONE SATURDAY, AND I STILL REMEMBER TODAY WHAT A COOL CAR IT WAS.

[tchunting]

My Dad was one of the lucky winners of the 3 month test drive of this car. His time actually turned into 4.5 months as the engine fried when he was in South Dakota. They had to fly out a new engine, engineering crew/mechanics, and a driver to Sioux Falls to get it back to us in Wisconsin, so they gave us some extra time. I was 8 years old and remember riding in the backseat. The center console was fascinating to me, it was so different from our other cars! Dad was a bit of a gearhead and liked a little growl in his exhaust, so this was by far the quietest car that I rode in as a kid. Extremely smooth acceleration and a great ride, it was Dads 1st "luxury car". Weirdest thing Dad did was to keep a few bottles of whiskey in the trunk for spare fuel! I do have a model that Chrysler gave to all members of the test drive family, and a brochure that we got with it and would love to reunite it with this car if possible!

[bradpetersen]

A family friend that worked for Chrysler had one of these to test drive and came by to show it to us, and took us for a ride. My Dad and I thought it was so cool, especially due to the styling and unique jet engine sound. I was the solo back seat co-pilot, as neither of my sisters had any interest. Little did I know, or did anyone know, how rare of a thing that was that I got to experience. Even thought that ride was about 56 years ago, I’ve never forgotten it...
RIP Dad, and his friend Bob that treated us to a ride in the shiny penny as I called it.

[AkinaSpeedStarsAE]

Vin Wiki sent me here....its like going back in time seeing Steve tell the same story lol

[kevinrogers]

This and other rare cars, couldn't be in better hands. Here's a collector who recognizes the signifigance of rare cars, and instead of locking them away, he share's everything about them. Thank you Mr. Leno!!! We greatly appreciate your custodianship of such historically important cars, and their importance to the history of this country.

[stegs]

Very cool.  I was showing my 85 year old neighbor the video and he gets out a VHS copy of him driving the car around the Indianapolis 500 track.  He worked as a salesman for Palmer Dodge and had the opportunity to drive it on the track.

Very COOL!!!!

[elebeu]

We are blessed that Jay has such a passion for all things mechanical and is financially able to collect and save so many special vehicles.

[trackman]

I worked at Chrysler engineering in the 70’s and we had several turbines that were installed in some of the C body vehicles. Jay was right about the short comings of the turbine. To me this was one of the last truly innovative vehicles to come out of Detroit.
If anyone deserves to own one of these it’s Mr. Leno. He is a excellent custodian of automotive history and along with his celebrity status, he’s able to share it with us all. Thanks Jay, from one gear head to another!

[NathanWibe]

Jay Leno is the epitome of what every car guy wants to be

[bcgrittner]

When I was 12 years old (1964) I saw a Chrysler Turbine Car at Grossmount Shopping Center in La Mesa, CA. It was on an elevated platform. They started the engine, balanced a nickel on edge on the engine. They spun the engine to the 60 MPH equivalent. The nickel never moved. The exhaust gases were remarkably cool. And the car was just good-looking. A few months later I saw another turbine car in Anoka, MN. This car was just unforgettable. Thanks, Jay. Brian Grittner, Little Canada, MN

[rpinarreta]

Of all the vehicles Jay has, this is the one I would pick. Rare beast made by one of the big three, cool design and far out technology that never made production. Custodian is the ideal term here and Jay is the caretaker. Bravo

[fcbrants]

We're fortunate to have Jay to preserve & share these cars for future generations. Thank you Jay!!

[johndaviddeturris]

Jay should be “SAINTED” for his incredible love and sharing of automotive history and reverence to car culture. Thanks Jay!

[Sohave]

I have so much more respect for Jays car collection than any other rich persons collection of new Lamborghini and Ferrari, this is actually a contribution to our history. If I got similar wealth I would also dedicate it at preserving unique and odd examples of automotive history. Dear Jay, I am grateful for what you have chosen to spend your money and time on and I think the future generations will also appreciate it.

[ScreamingEagleFTW]

This car is definitely owned by the right person. Thanks for sharing Jay.

[CardboardSliver]

If this was any other man, we'd all think he was just a snobby rich man showing off.

But it's Jay Leno, the chillest man to exist, who loves cars, drives cars, works on cars, and from what I've heard, will geek out about cars with anyone.

[billtyson]

Growing up in western Pennsylvania, the Chrysler dealership was behind our house on the other side of a fence. Almost daily I would walk through the lot to home (and buy an orange or grape Crush in their outside pop cooler...i.e., like a large refrigerator on its back). One day I noticed the Turbine on display and a Chrysler rep giving a demonstration. At 14 years old, I stood in amazement with the rest of the crowd. For me, the height of technical wizardry about the car (besides it being a jet on four wheels) was when the rep lifted the hood and placed a nickel on its edge and stood it atop of the running turbine! It stayed there on its edge seemingly forever, never moving. I bought my Crush and walked home thinking of the world yet to come.

[EricBlackmonGuitar]

Just an amazing car. None of the reasons they stopped production of this car were good enough in my opinion.

[marriedcumcouple]

Absolutely one of the most amazing and attractive cars ever to come out of Detroit. So glad to see it in Jay's collection where I know it will be preserved and loved for future generations.