Rover Gas Turbine Cars

Rover were pioneers in gas-turbine propulsion for road vehicles. Their interest was aroused during the Second World War, when several engineers were seconded to the top-secret development of Frank Whittle’s jet aero engine. By adapting the technology to produce a road vehicle, they had one running by 1950, and in 1952 set some world speed records with it. Further experimental cars followed, but progress was hampered by the non-availability of exotic materials necessary to reduce fuel consumption. In the early 1960s, the technology was proved on the racetracks by the Rover-BRM gas-turbine racing car at Le Mans. After the Leyland takeover in 1968 it was then adapted for large trucks, but the programme foundered after the 1973 Oil Crisis forced a focus on other issues. Rover expert James Taylor follows the development of this technology and the efforts to turn it into a viable propulsion for production cars, including the Rover P6 and Range Rover.