General Motors Firebird II : 1956

The General Motors Firebird II, a gas-turbine powered engineering concept car, was introduced at the 1956 GM Motorama.

Firebird II was the successor to the famous 1953 XP-21 Firebird 1.

The four-passenger Firebird II was characterized by innovations like a titanium body, a regenerative gas turbine, all-wheel independent suspension with automatic load-leveling, power disc brakes, alternator, magnetic ignition key, electric gear selection, and individually-controlled air conditioning.

Specifications.
• Wheelbase: 120"
• Over-all length: 234.7"
• Over-all width: 70.6"
• Over-all height: 52.75"
• Cowl height to ground: 36.75"
• Headroom: 35.2"
• Front Tread: 60"
• Rear Tread: 57"
• Tires: Special Section - 27.3" diameter
• Ground Clearance: 5.5"

Engine and Chassis.
• Fuel: Gasoline, Kerosene or Fuel Oil
• Maximum gas temperature: 1650 F
• Transmission: Four Speed Planetary Gear and Fluid Coupling with Integral Differential
• Brakes: All metal Turbo-X disc type
• Compressor: Single Stage Centrifugal type
• Compressor Pressure Ratio: 3.5 to 1
Turbine Bucket material: GMR-235 High-Tempurature alloy
• Front suspension: Double wishbone
• Rear suspension: Independent diagonal swing arms
• Springing: Delco-matic air oil type
• Electrical System: 12-volt alternating current with rectifier and transistor voltage regulator

(source: GM)