Solved - NEH 3055: Woodill Wildfire Turbine Convertible - 1955

Started by Carnut, October 25, 2013, 09:30:15 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

Carnut

October 25, 2013, 09:30:15 AM
What's this exactly and what is it powered by, for 1 point?:


ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

Carnut

#1
November 01, 2013, 05:31:13 AM
Experts?
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

hugo90

#2
November 02, 2013, 05:08:36 PM
Is that a Glaspar body?  It looks very much like the Edwards steam car.

WayneB

#3
November 02, 2013, 07:00:45 PM
Its a 1955 Woodhill Wildfire powered by a gas turbine helicopter engine.

Carnut

#4
November 03, 2013, 02:43:51 PM
Quote from: WayneB on November 02, 2013, 07:00:45 PM
Its a 1955 Woodhill Wildfire powered by a gas turbine helicopter engine.

Exactly.
And here's the spiel about it when it was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson:

QUOTE
The Woodill Wildfire is acknowledged to be the world's first production fiberglass bodied car starting in 1952. This experimental idea was conceived and constructed by an employee of McDonald Douglas, Missile and Space Division using gas turbine helicopter engine. The engine develops 310hp shaft output at 37,500rpm. This turbo car was clocked for speed on a California dry lake bed course at 137mph with more potential speed possible by altering the gear ratio. In storage over 40 years and recently restored. Recently serviced by a licensed helicopter mechanic. Runs and drives with special instructions.
UNQUOTE
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

WayneB

#5
November 03, 2013, 07:58:20 PM
I was wondering how uncomfortable it must be to drive in view of the hot jet exhaust exiting right in the middle of the bonnet (hood) :o

The Rover Jet cars used heat exchangers to try and combat high exhaust gas temperatures.

Carnut

#6
November 04, 2013, 05:20:38 AM
Quote from: WayneB on November 03, 2013, 07:58:20 PM
I was wondering how uncomfortable it must be to drive in view of the hot jet exhaust exiting right in the middle of the bonnet (hood) :o

The Rover Jet cars used heat exchangers to try and combat high exhaust gas temperatures.

I'm surprised the fiberglass didn't melt...!
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

D-type

#7
November 04, 2013, 02:28:18 PM Last Edit: November 04, 2013, 02:38:06 PM by D-type
Ah!  But is that the exhaust or the air intake in the middle of the bonnet (hood)?  Could it be the inlet, and the exhausts are out the rear?

Edit:  I googled it (which I should have done first!) - and it is the exhaust :sigh:
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.

Carnut

#8
November 05, 2013, 08:07:53 AM
Quote from: D-type on November 04, 2013, 02:28:18 PM
Ah!  But is that the exhaust or the air intake in the middle of the bonnet (hood)?  Could it be the inlet, and the exhausts are out the rear?

Edit:  I googled it (which I should have done first!) - and it is the exhaust :sigh:

Yes, and imagine trying to peer through the heat haze;  the thing must be a nightmare to drive!
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions