It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s….the Fiat Turbina! The 1954 Fiat Turbina, a unique, gas turbine-powered concept car that was developed by Italian automobile manufacturer, Fiat, in the year 1954. These photos taken here by the very talented @lzrndr showcase the Turbina at the Milan Linate Airport, where the car was taken out of the @mautotorino museum for the very first time since the 1960’s in order to be displayed at the Larusmiani boutique (@larusmiani). Work for this experimental prototype began in the year 1948, and the idea was originated much earlier, around the year 1940, when the technical director of Fiat's automotive division, Dante Giacosa began to explore the idea of implementing a gas turbine engine in a road car. By the year 1950, the first drawings of this unique one-off were completed, and by the January of 1953, the car was officially completed. Giacosa, and his team of designers, Vittorio Bellicardi and Oscar Montabone, created an all-new turbine engine design that came with remarkable performance figures, especially for the 1950s. The styling was created using a wind tunnel in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino. The car was first even seen on the roof of the Fiat factory on April 14th of 1954. On April 23rd of that year, Fiat officially debuted the car at the Turin-Caselle airport, which was then shortly followed by the show debut at the 36th Turin Motor Show of 1954. Italian automobile designer, Luigi Rapi was contracted to do the car’s exterior design. The car boasted a number of eye-catching design elements such as rear wheel covers, no headlight or taillights, Borrani 16-inch wire wheels, and a pair of two massive stabilizing fins that perfectly complemented the car’s white and red two-tone color scheme. The cabin was made to be simple, and features black bucket seats, with a beautiful white dashboard, and enough switches and gauges to keep you entertained forever.
How many made? 1
Engine: Fiat type 8001 gas turbine - 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) at 22,000 rpm
Debut: the Fiat Factory roof, April 14th, 1954
Top Speed: around 160mph
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @lzrndr
Research: @rarecarsonly