Industry
Published on December 13th, 2012 | by BajaBusta
11970 Ford Turbine Big Trucks
Ford began shipping prototype turbine engines to a number of companies to study industrial engine applications, in 1968. Ford was interested in the engine’s possible application to buses, generators, total energy systems and construction and marine equipment. “We have already gained valuable experience in application of the engine to trucks,” said Wilson W. Sick, general operations manager of Ford’s industrial engines and turbines operations. “Now we hope to gain equally useful data on potential use of the turbine for non-truck purposes, particularly in the industrial field.” The Ford 707 model turbine was tested in the company’s fleet service, delivering parts from plants in Michigan to Ohio, for example. Ford never set a date for producing the engine, unlike General Motors which said it would go into turbine production in mid-1971. All Ford officials said they won’t be left at the gate.
Interesting, I’ve heard of the Chrysler turbine car. But I never knew that they put a turbine in a semi.