Topic: Puzzle #1673 - General Motors SE-101

[Otto Puzzell]

Know what it is?

Please, respond below and identify what this is, and who built it.
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[MG Manic]

Pontiac Turbine Grand Prix from 1969?

[MG Manic]

More specifically, I believe that GM designated the car "SE-101".

[Otto Puzzell]

Not a turbine, but otherwise correct.

The caption for the photo reads:

General Motors researchers install the combustion system-steam generator in the first modern steam car developed by the automobile industry. The experimental vehicle – called the GM SE-101 – is a modified 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. Already mounted in the engine compartment is the 160 horsepower, 4-cylinder expander. The SE-101 is one of two steam-powered vehicles shown to the press at the GM Progress of Power show and was developed by GM Research Laboratories to permit evaluation of the vapor cycle engine under actual operating conditions

As to why they chose to use this car, I can only assume the exceedingly long hood and engine compartment was the most accommodating example at their disposal. I know, the example below is the Grand Prix SJ, versus the modified base model, above. I'm including this ad only to illustrate the landing-strip-long hood of this car.