296 - FULL ISSUE - Plymouth Club

Member assists Jay Leno’s purchase of a Chrysler TurbineTUESDAY, THE 16TH OF JUNE: Jay Lenotook possession of Chrysler Ghia turbinecar #991242. This car has nowbeen added to his extensive collection ofunique and outstanding vehicles. Thecar had been saved by Chrysler alongwith two others. When the car arrivedin California, William Carry of Detroit,Michigan, was present to assist Mr.Leno in the initial start-up and to dobasic preventive care of a 45-year-oldturbine-powered automobile.Chrysler retains two of the cars inthe corporate collection. Details of thetransaction with Mr. Leno are not public.Mr. Leno had wanted one of theturbine cars since he first saw one.Many years ago, Mr. Leno assistedFrank Kleptz of Terre Haute, Indiana, ingetting a running engine from Chrysler.Mr. Leno is a firm believer that cars areto be driven, not just sitting and collectingdust, and he plans to drive thenewest member of his collection. Whenthe author talked to him on WednesdayMr. Leno reported that he had driven thecar about 75 miles the day before andwas very happy. He and his crew, underBill's direction, made a few minorrepairs to the car (the passenger windowwould not go down) and checked it overcompletely before taking it to the streetsof Burbank. In one of the photos, wesee Mr. Leno under the back of the carremoving the museum plate, preparingto install the California license plate.William (Bill) Carry was theNational Turbine Service Coordinatorwho had created the service programand conducted training in maintenancefor the Ghia/Chrysler cars during thepublic testing program in 1964 and1965. (My father, Alden Olson[deceased] was user number 160.) Billis the probably the most knowledgeableperson in the world on the Chrysler turbinecar. I visited with him in his homein Detroit on Friday the 19th of Juneafter he returned from California. Hesupplied me with the above mentionedphoto. In the above photo, Bill Carryand Mr. Leno talk about the car. Thattalk was being filmed for Mr. Leno'swebsite.Mr. Leno called me on Monday tofirst tell me that he was getting one ofthe turbines. He talked to me for aboutfifteen minutes about the car and mywebsite. If anyone in the worlddeserves a turbine car, I feel that Mr.Leno is that person--the one most ableto keep a turbine car running. He islooking for a spare engine (they don’texactly show up at swap meets veryoften!). I hope to visit him soon and seehis entire collection along with thenewest car.Mr. Leno also has his Eco-Jet carlicensed and is driving it around. Billgot a ride and says, “Bring ear plugs anddon't eat too much or you might ‘looseit’!” The car is fast and is really a jet atheart. Bill also got a ride in one of Mr.Leno's Chrysler Airflows and was givencomplete tour of the Big Dog Garage.Both Photos were taken by MaryCarry, Bill’s wife.-- Mark OlsonPlease visit my web site atwww.turbinecar.com-5-