Wednesday 14th April 1954

The handsome rear-engined Fiat Turbina experimental gas-turbine car was given its first road test on the famous rooftop test track at Fiat’s Lingotto factory. Public demonstrations followed later that month at Turin airport, making Fiat the second manufacturer, after Rover, worldwide to demonstrate a running gas turbine car.The engine had two compressor stages, one turbine stage, power turbine was single stage with a geared reduction. The declared power was 300 hp (220 kW) at 22,000 rpm, and the estimated top speed was approximately 250 km/h (160 mph). The Turbina held the record for lowest drag coefficient on an automobile (0.14) for 30 years.The concept was shelved due to high fuel usage and problems with overheating. The Fiat Turbina is today shown in the Automobile Museum of Turin.