The Rover JET1 was a gas turbine car originally built in Solihull in 1949/1950 by the Rover Company, and modified to a more aerodynamic style in 1952. It held a world speed record for a gas turbine-powered car in 1952 with a speed of 152.691 mph.[1] Rover won the Dewar Trophy in 1950 for this work, in recognition of its outstanding pioneering achievement.[2] It was the first time this trophy had been awarded since 1929.
In March 1950, Rover showed the JET1 prototype, the first car powered with a gas turbine engine, to the public.[3] JET1, an open two-seat tourer, had the engine positioned behind the seats, air intake grilles on either side of the car,[4] and exhaust outlets on the top of the tail.[5] During tests, the car reached a top speed of 88 mph (142 km/h).[citation needed] After being shown in the United Kingdom and the United States in 1950,[6] JET1 was further developed,[7] and was subjected to speed trials on the Jabbeke highway in Belgium in June 1952,[8] where it exceeded 150 miles per hour (240 km/h).[9] JET1 is currently on display at the London Science Museum.
- ^ [1]BBC 1950: Gas turbine car gets road test
- ^ [2]The Dewar Trophy – Past Winners
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 82.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 76.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 81.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 84.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, pp. 84–85.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 86.
- ^ Bobbitt 2007, p. 87.