In Search for Alternatives

In 1966, research into the use of a gas turbine instead of an internal combustion engine in the GMC Group was mostly completed, so that Chevrolet ventured the step to make its concept public. This was done with a semitrailer presented under the striking slogan ‘Truck of the Future’. Officially, the truck got the designation ‘Turbo Titan III’.

Visually, the three-axle tractor unit looked very much like a product of the distant future by US standards, due to the fact that American truck construction actually only knew large, beefy trucks with long bonnets. The tractor unit of the concept truck corresponded more to the design of European manufactures. The three-axle tractor unit had a number of futuristic details in the interior as well as in the exterior styling. Responsible for the design was the team around the designer Bill Mitchell.

The most extraordinary thing about the entire truck was undoubtedly its drive. No engine with its pistons moving up and down worked in the truck, but a gas turbine. Internally designated as ‘GT-308’, this turbine was the result of 15 years of development work in this field, it produced 280 hp and had an almost incredible torque. The speed of 35,000 rpm was reduced to 4,000 rpm by a conventional automatic transmission. The transmitted engine power accelerated the truck to the maximum speed of 65 miles per hour permitted in the USA.

GMC’s expectations were apparently not met in any way and the project came to an early end – the one-off truck was finally handed over to the scrap press.