A 1968 Howmet TX powered by a prototype turbine engine is the latest machine to join the renowned ROFGO collection for Gulf-liveried cars.
Standing for Turbine eXperimental, the TX project was funded by the Howmet Corporation, which also lent its expertise in the investment casting of super alloys.
Only two of the cars were made, one being based on a 1966 Bob McKee Can-Am car while the other – this later machine – had a purpose-built chassis.
Both were powered by engines originally intended for a military helicopter project, which were leased from Continental Aviation & Engineering.
This TX would go on to be the most successful of its type and the only turbine-powered machine ever to win a race – taking two Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) race victories, the only turbine car ever to do so, and two qualifying sprint victories in one season.
The TX retired after the Howmet Corporation decided to pull the plug on funding, but it went on to set six FIA Land Speed Records for turbine-powered cars.
The new addition to the ROFGO fleet, which will be running at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, joins a list of exotics ROFGO that includes everything from a 1965 GT40 to a 1971 Porsche 917 and a 1972 McLaren M20.
