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Ebay Find: A Turbine-Powered T-Bucket-Insanity Taken To A New Level, And Yes, It’s For Sale!


Ebay Find: A Turbine-Powered T-Bucket-Insanity Taken To A New Level, And Yes, It’s For Sale!

It takes quite a bit for us to stop what we’re doing and just stare at a picture of a car, more so when the car is a Ford T-bucket. This one did it. A Ford T-bucket powered by a Boeing 502 turbine, complete with afterburner. “You won’t see that everyday” couldn’t be further from the truth, yet you could see it everyday, because it’s for sale on eBay right now.

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The car itself is a 1923 Ford, done up in black and chrome, in a traditional T-bucket look. And that’s right about where the similarities with a 1923 Ford end. Out front, instead of a huffed V8, sits a Boeing 502-6 turbine. These small turbine engines were used in a variety of applications, from drone helicopters and minesweepers to Kenworth trucks and aviation compressed-gas starters, could put out as much as 500hp and can run on practically any kind of fuel. The 502 uses two combustion cans, a gas-generated power turbine stage in line with a free-power turbine stage, and is equipped with an afterburner system that comes out of the side-exit exhaust. At idle, the 502 is turning just over 17,000 RPM. At 100% throttle it’s turning 37,000 RPM.

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Inside, a full array of gauges keep the driver informed of the turbine’s vitals. The electrical and fuel systems are aviation-grade. The car has a foot-operated brake system and a turbine brake (the large T-handle), and a hand throttle like a jet. There are only two gears: forward and reverse. The power is routed through a gear reduction transmission to a Ford Mustang 9″ rear.  That windshield folds down, which is a good idea since this T-bucket can easily clip well over 200mph. And just in case you want to really slow down after an enthusiastic blast up the street, there is a Deist parachute for safety.

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The car was engineered and built by the Indy Boys, a crew of fanatics that have been putting together jet-powered vehicles to entertain crowds. Among their stable of vehicles includes an International school bus, a Polaris RZR, a doghouse and an outhouse, all powered by jets. These aren’t slapped-together ideas, these are thoroughly-engineered vehicles built to be functional and to entertain.

jet powered Polaris RZR

 

Admittedly, the T-bucket isn’t titled, but we’re sure that your local DMV should be able to assist you with that. Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $85,000, this is an easy way to one-up that one guy at the car show permanently, piss off your neighbors as you head to your local Cars and Coffee meet, and put a smile on the face of every kid and knowing adult who sees it.

CLICK HERE to see the eBay listing for the Turbine T-bucket

CLICK HERE to check out Indy Boys’ website: See the other jet-powered vehicles!

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8 thoughts on “Ebay Find: A Turbine-Powered T-Bucket-Insanity Taken To A New Level, And Yes, It’s For Sale!

  1. 200 MPH?

    200 mph…..really? who believes that B.S.?

    It’s starting to sound like the LE1 Groundfighter car that was on the front cover of Hot Rod Magazine March 1997 (The worst selling issue of Hot Rod) according to Ol’ Dad. The Groundfighter car now has two turbines installed that has a top speed of 400mph….really?

    I say to people that want to shoot out MPH numbers “Go to Bonneville and put it to the test”

    1. 38P

      As I recall it, Wally Larson’s LE1 Groundfighter was not jet-powered when it appeared on the cover of HRM as the lead for a “Megabuck Cars” story theme. It had a supercharged Lexus LS400 mill that was supposedly on nitromethane.

      Some time after its HRM appearance, they peeled the body off of the Groundfighter and added a brace of Maddox pulse jets. . . . but at least the exhausts are well behind the “cockpit.”

      1. 200 MPH?

        38P you are correct…although I never mentioned that the impulse jets were on the car in ’97. Wally was quoting speed numbers way prior to his latest creation.

        As for the Lexas on nitro that was also for show no go.

        The car was in a severe roll-over accident while being hauled in a enclosed car trailer. That is when the body was peeled off for repair and the car upgraded to a Mopar Hemi on nitro/pulse jets.

  2. Chris

    the locations of the “afterburners” is self defeating. they are useless. AB’s are on to add thrust. these would be just for the show and no-go.

  3. 38P

    It probably gets a little warm in the “cockpit” when the exhausts are flowing mega BTUs. And with ZERO safety gear and no front brakes, it would take a death wish to drive this “bucket” at high speeds.

  4. GuitarSlinger

    Beep Beep Zip you just melted your RayBan’s … ruptured both eardrums as well as scorched your clothing with one hit of the go pedal … all in one fell swoop !

    A prime example of … Just Because you Can …. Doesn’t Mean you Should 😉

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