. . . that the one without the vinyl roof was the No 1 prototype? Yup. Apparently there were 5 prototypes done in different colours, including a white one.

None of the prototypes had the vinyl roof.  The all-white version looked pretty good, but the bronze "production" car definitely benefited from the black top.

Or is there something else we ought to know?

Cool shots!!  I think I like the turbine WITH the vinyl roof - and I'm not usually a fan of the things!

Wow, IMO, the white is outstanding ! But I do love the Bronze with V/T. 

Steve 

I have had a chance to drive one of these cars across a parking lot years ago. It was restored by the museum of transport in St. Louis County, Missouri.

Back in the mid '60s a family that lived on the next block had one of the 55 experimental Chrysler turbine cars...impressive styling for sure.

Graeme got it! The car without the vinyl top also had white seats. Here's probably more than you ever wanted to know about this car. Click here. 

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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I have had a chance to drive one of these cars across a parking lot years ago. It was restored by the museum of transport in St. Louis County, Missouri.

How did that go for you Bob "Batman" Jackman ?

Steve

@100ford2003  It was quite a strange sensation Steve. Steve the turbine will run on practically any combustible and was exceptionally quiet considering it was turning over 20,000 rpms.

What a thrilling experience ! 

A few years ago I went to the Mopar Spring Fling at Woodley Avenue Park in the San Fernando Valley.  Jay Leno drove his Turbine Car to the show and stuck around for about an hour.  When he fired up the TC to leave, my first thought was that it sounded like a vacuum cleaner!  I always loved these cars and have seen 6 of the survivors over the years at various museums.

Here's a pic of my TC promo with background pics of the display at the Petersen Museum in LA before their renovation.

I've never seen Chrysler Turbine cars in different colors or without vinyl roofs - I like 'em!  😎 😎  

What a shame that, even with the Turbine program ending, Chrysler didn't utilize this basic design for one of their marques....Dodge comes to mind as one that would have benefitted from this.

@jack-dodds, it would have been a winner! I heard that it was considered, but the rear clip was just too expensive and complicated to mass-produce. It's a shame they didn't at least do something with that incredible roofline and the beautiful interior.

@jkuvakas I'm surprised that they felt the rear clip would have been too expensive; unless I'm missing something in the details.  A traditional frame under with the 318/383 drive train option and a cosmetically scaled down rear tail light area??