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Films: The Howmet TX: Rethink Everything
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Made To Drive | S6 E1
Living The 86 Life
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Made To Drive | S06 E06

The Howmet TX: Rethink Everything

What sounds like a fighter jet and is faster than a Ferrari? Ladies and gentlemen, meet the incredible Howmet TX, an experimental race car that is the only turbine-powered car to actually win a race. Built by a talented team of engineers in 1968 using little time and just $10,000, the first Howmet was very much a moon shot.
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CHRIS DAGNOLO
CHRIS DAGNOLO
8 years ago

OMG! Amazing / wonderful story and equally amazing / wonderful presentation! What I’m dieing to know is, what race track is that?

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Tim MonckMason
Tim MonckMason
8 years ago

Wonderful. And recall that rover -BRM had finished a Le Mans in a turbine before this was made. Wonderful, but not truly unique surely…

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Shabbeer Farook
Shabbeer Farook
8 years ago

I really wanted to see the engine and transmission layout

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Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
8 years ago

Great topic!

Excellent photography. I’d say worthy of an award.

Really nice interview, as well. I shared this with my father, who is very familiar with this wonderful era of invention.

Thanks for sharing.

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Willam Giltzow
Willam Giltzow
8 years ago

Yes Cortina tail lamps. Also used on Lola GT, TVR Grantura Mk.3, and anyone else with a Lucas catalog and the desire, they sold to everyone. Not to mention all the Mk 1 Cortinas in the scrap yard when the Howmet was under construction.

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Alexandre Goncalves
Alexandre Goncalves
8 years ago

Amazing set,
amazing phtography!

PS Ford Cortina tail lights?

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Scott Carney
Scott Carney
8 years ago

I LOVE THIS RACE CAR!! The camera work from the air truly captured the essence as well as the elements of this one of a kind race car. The race cars my Father-n-law ( Bob McKee ) built in the 60’s were all special, but this racer in particular is my favorite. For one it had firstly the soul…(if you believe in such a thing)…of a champion. From her shape and lines, to her high turbine whine when she’s at full song! The Howmet race car sounds like a jet fighter coming down the track! Experimentally Awesome!!

I’ve seen the Howmet race cars at the shop and track numerous times and it never gets old. The owners that have these cars take such good care of their investments, but still run them the way they did in the day! I often think it would have been so cool to see the Howmet race cars competing against the likes of Ford, Ferrari and Porsche, but the race car is as old as i am.
My Father-n-law is a very humble man, and he never takes full credit for the fortunate racing successes in his life. He’s always the first to mention all the engineers, fabricators, drivers and all the people behind the scenes that made those moments happen. I don’t know how he keeps all that history straight in his head, but if you ever get to meet Bob McKee he’ll share the stories. I totally respect the man!

In closing, I applaud and thank all involved who put this fabulous video together! You really showcased your talents as well as this awesome race car, including the man behind the car! GREAT JOB!!

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Paul Cox
Paul Cox
8 years ago

Fantastic, and some great camera shots. Is it just me or do they look like MK1 Cortina tail lights? 😉

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Bryan Dickerson
Bryan Dickerson
8 years ago

I can only imagine if I’d had access to videos like these when I was a kid. Great videography, stories, and incredible cars every Tuesday instead of waiting a month for the next Road & Track, Motor Trend and Car and Driver…I guess there was Autoweek. By the way, does anyone know what happened to Motor Trend Classic? They were like the magazine version of the Petro. videos.

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Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell
8 years ago

INCREDIBLE filming

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Ed Hankin
Ed Hankin
8 years ago

Nice! I need to see one in person. My Dad worked for Heppenstall in Formula Vee so I’ve known about this for a while.

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

Nice catch . A most excellent catch in fact and another fine example of ‘ Stump the Grump ‘ ! *

*( in all honesty I had read about this way back in the day but had completely forgotten about it … so thanks for jogging the ole ” little grey cells ” )

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Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson
8 years ago

Superb, what a tonic an interesting subject and fabulous camera work!

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