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MC2 Mini Magazine
published this article after witnessing the
Turbine-Powered Mini® at the Gulfport, MS Dragway.
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here to download
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Turbine-Powered Automobiles
MTT Turbine RetroROCKET™
In the early 1960's, Chrysler® stunned the world with
its version of a turbine-powered car. With an interest
in renewing this buzz, MTT called upon its extensive
turbine installation experience and produced the MTT
Turbine RetroROCKET™. Built from the popular Chevy®
S-10™ truck, the Turbine RetroROCKET™ combines
the nostalgia of a 1940 Ford® with the features of a
modern truck. |
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The Turbine
RetroROCKET™ is equipped with a Rolls Royce-Allison
250-series engine, making 320 shaft horsepower. As with
all MTT conversions, the Turbine RetroROCKET™ was
designed to run on standard diesel fuel. With several
thousand miles of road time (including the 2003, 2004,
and 2005 Hotrod Power Tours), this custom truck is a
showstopper wherever it goes. |
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In 2007, MTT set its
sights on the truly extreme. Riding the wave of Mini®
madness, MTT installed a Rolls Royce-Allison 250-series
turbine into the hatchback of a Cooper S™, separated
from the front seats by a firewall and Plexiglas. This
Mini® can run on the factory recip engine (powering the
front wheels), the turbine engine (powering the rear
wheels), or both. Front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive,
or 4 x 4 are in hand, with all factory accessories
functioning without interference. |
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(Photographs
above and below: Copyright Bruce
Smith, 2007, courtesy of MC2 magazine) |
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Military Projects
As the single largest consumer of turbines, the U.S.
Military recognizes the potential of turbine power.
Turbines now power most large military vessels, such as
carriers and destroyers, and are systematically making
their way into the smaller littoral craft arena. In
response to this demand, MTT was awarded a Phase I SBIR
contract to address noise and IR signatures in NSW
craft. |
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MTT Turbine Outboard™
As a result, MTT designed and built
the first turbine-powered outboard motor. The MTT
Turbine Outboard™ was demonstrated to the US
Military in an effort to assist them in fulfilling their
mandate, stating that all equipment aboard military
ships must not burn gasoline (a more volatile fuel than
diesel) by 2010. The outboard was used to power a
landing craft carrying a S.E.A.L. Delivery Vessel
(pictured above) and other vehicles, performing with
amazing results. |
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Special features of the outboard include
infrared-resistant cowling to thwart enemy tracking.
Ironically, the heat signature of the boat passengers
registered higher than that of the outboard motor
itself. |
(Pictured above: A turbine-powered R.I.B.,
Rigid Inflatable Boat, installed by MTT) |
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Poker Runs
On a lighter note, engaging in
military projects doesn't stop MTT from knowing how to
have a little fun. The waterways of south Louisiana are
prime for having Poker Runs, many of which have proudly
hosted turbine-powered speed boats by MTT. |
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(Pictured above: an MTT turbine-installed
32-ft MTI® and 27-ft Eliminator®, both of which are
privately owned) |
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