1964 Ford Big Red Gas Turbine Truck
A super transporter – that’s how this vehicle of impressive size was billed by one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.
Meet ‘Big Red’. A lorry prototype designed by the engineers at Ford, nearly 30 metres long and 4 metres high. In front of you is a semi-detached house on wheels.
Launched in 1964, this transporter was to change traditional lorries forever. First of all, it had a 600-hp gas turbine engine. Second of all, it hauled two trailers. And third of all, it weighed a total of 77 tonnes, but that didn’t keep Big Red from reaching a top speed of 115 km/h.
During the tour, the engineers were left pleasantly surprised not only by the level of comfort the transporter provided on long journeys, but also by the relatively efficient and economical gas turbines. The gas turbines required 100 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometres. Seeing that it had a 1,000-litre fuel tank, the Big Red could cover some 900–1,000 kilometres with no problem.
Big Red’s cabin was made of steel. Meanwhile, the unusual cabin shape was designed based on wind tunnel data. Although the manufacturer didn’t disclose the drag coefficient of the cabin, the lorry’s considerably improved aerodynamic properties increased driving performance at higher speeds while also significantly reducing average fuel consumption. In addition, Big Red had air-ride suspension – a technology that the lorries of that era could only dream about.
Placed in front of the driver was a single pedestal-based dashboard with a steering wheel, as well as eight instrument gauges. Housed above the pilot’s panoramic tinted windshield were six small tachometers to monitor the turbine. Large foot-control pedals were mounted flush with the floor, and the driver had the option to shift manually with a dash switch or let the Allison five-speed gearbox work automatically. Ford management assured that Big Red’s controls were similar enough to a conventional truck and could be mastered by any semi-tractor driver.
According to many automotive historians, Big Red was called a super-hauler, an experimental 600 hp gas turbine truck. Designed for the superhighways of tomorrow, experimental truck represented a massive investment and was a research project that Ford engineers thoroughly enjoyed. Ford executive vice president Charles H. Patterson said, “This truck is a concept vehicle from our product research office. It is attest-bed in which advance engineering ideas are proved out in actual over-the-road operation.”
