Wonder if this thing still exists?
Wonder if this thing still exists?
Wow. 
I remember that car w/ color photos from some mag back then, I was so frickin' inspired. Mighta been National Geographic IIRC
I still have no idea why the "locomotive" style diesel powered generator and storage batteries driveline got nixed on the new Volt. I thought it was a brilliant re-application of a vetted idea.
AMC and (IIRC) GM were experimenting with Stirling-cycle engines for automotive use for a long time. Then...radio silence. Not really sure who killed the technology, but like low speed Lister diesels, the Stirling engine seems to have a lot of potential that's never really been tapped. Coupling a Stirling cycle engine/ genset to a battery electric makes a lot of sense, actually, since there's usually some start up lag time for a Stirling and they tend to prefer constant, lower RPM.
Anyone else notice the Stirling here runs on compressed helium?
Electrovair 1 was built in 64... they built a # 2 out of a 66 I believe.
I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait to see which 100-year old technology GM decides to try next!
Thats pretty bold that they were using a 3 phase AC drive motor in a mobile application in the sixties. I would have expected DC SCR motor control, which at that time period would have been considered cutting edge tech.
FWIW, there was also a lot of experimental use of hydrogen fuel cells as a power source for electric cars in the sixties. I guess that was good enough for NASA, but not the rest of us. Fuel cells might be the next thing to make a come back though, they are being used as a replacement for lead acid batteries in electtic forklifts.
well duh...
that's the Chevy that Barry (aka Barack) drove in college
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