1LE/TB

In 1954 Fiat was the first European car manufacturer to create a car powered by a gas turbine. The concept car is the final result of a project directed by Dante Giacosa which began in 1948, and this prototype was tested for the first time on 4 April 1954 on the Lingotto track. The engine is made up of a two-stage compressor, three combustors, a two-stage turbine, a single-stage variable speed driving turbine and related reduction unit for transmitting approximately 1000 kg to the wheels. The declared maximum speed is around 250 km/h, the car body was characterized by two rear stabilizing fins forming part of a completely removable rear section which enclosed the engine housed in a soundproof compartment. The excellent aerodynamic study allowed the car to have a Cd of 0.14. The chassis was made up of tubular elements, the suspensions (the front ones derived from those of the 1952 Fiat 8V) were with 4 independent wheels. The transmission was equipped with a direct gear cascade reducer, without clutch or torque converter, which brought the 22000 rpm at maximum speed of the driving turbine to around 4000 at the differential. The front lighting system was characterized by headlights incorporated into the car body, which when needed were directed towards the road (a solution also adopted by Bertone for the second car of the Alfa Romeo BAT family, also exhibited at the Turin motor show in same year). After the exhibition, the project was shelved for technical production reasons, and with it also the Turin sports car which today is located in the Turin Automobile Museum.

Final Log

30LO3747
19NC002
1LE76
44WM001
14PAT745
14OR004
14MA101
34RC024
14FAC300
30AT252
14VD163
14PAT1075
14PAT810
30RC571
14AT061
30RC432
14SD038
19EK1038
1LE74
21AT106
30EK010
30LS001
30TG064
108DD180
26TC407
13SD208
56LR555
29AT057
14PAT928
30AT118
19LR001
47AT124
14AG332
30RC513
14TW735
14RC275
14HDX080
14TW028
26WW113
56TR277
26DT96
14SA04
19LR161
30FD548
163RC001
14SD160
14RC022
26KF820