Blastolene Special

The Blastolene Special is a unique, specially-built car, currently owned by the entertainer Jay Leno. Created from a military tank engine, aluminium and wood, [http://www.blastolene.com/The_Special/index.htm Blastolene Special official site] URL accessed 25 February 2007] it produces 810bhp (@2800rpm) and 1560 pound-feet (@2400rpm) of torque. [http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=8789 Car and Driver article] URL accessed 25 February 2007] The car weighs 4,300kg (9500 pounds) which is 1/11th the weight of the original tank from which the engine was used. [http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/1302941.html Popular Mechanic article] URL accessed 25 February 2007]

History

In 2001 a glass artist named Randy Grubb made the Blastolene Special with a Continental AV1790-5B(A huge engine that weighs the same as a Volkswagen Beetle) used in a 51-ton M47 Patton Tank back in the 1950s, a Greyhound bus transmission and metal for the body. The glass blower figured he made about USD$125,000 selling it to Jay Leno to put into the extensive collection of cars he owns (84 cars and 73 motorcycles as of April 11, 2006 [http://www.thefabricator.com/WaterjetCutting/WaterjetCutting_Article.cfm?ID=1314 theFabricator article on Jay Leno's cars] ] ).

After purchasing the car, Jay Leno made numerous enhancements to the roadworthiness of the vehicle including new gearbox (six speed Allison automatic), rear brakes, new electrical system, chassis work.

Interesting Facts

* Introduced as "The Jay Leno Tank Car" on Gran Turismo 4, it ended up in the game "by accident" when the game development team visited Jay's garage for some engine noises. They noticed the car and were so amazed they put it in the game. [http://www.channel4.com/4car/feature/feature.jsp?id=232 Channel4 Interview with Jay Leno on "The Tank Car"] URL accessed 25 February 2007]
* During one of the first freeway test drives an unsuitable oil line blew and dumped the entire 17 gallons of oil onto the road
* The car gets 5 miles per gallon (up from the original performance of 2-3 miles per gallon, after the transmission was replaced)
* The engine red-lines at 2,900 rpm
* Jay Leno brought the car on his show when interviewing Arnold Schwarzenegger and introduced it as "The Terminator car".
* The engine emits so much heat that one can drive the car in short sleeves during the winter.

Specifications [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/features/8789/tank-vs-crank-page4.html Car and Driver Blastolene Special Specifications] ]

* Weight - 4,300kg / 8900 pounds
* Length - 640 centimetres /252 inches
* Transmission - 6-speed Allison automatic
* Quarter Mile - 14.7 seconds @ convert|93|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on
* Top Speed – 140mph+
* and convert|1590|ft.lbf|N.m of torque
* Cost - USD$250,000 (estimate)

References

External links

* [http://www.blastolene.com/The_Special/index.htm Blastolene official website] .
* [http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/1302941.html Popular Mechanics article]
* [http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=8789 Car and Driver article]
* [http://www.usa6x6.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=4 USA6x6 gallery pictures of the vehicle]
* [http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=545 Clubhotrod gallery pictures of the vehicle]