In 1969, GM ventured into the realm of steam power by converting a Chevelle, showcasing both innovative engineering and the era's challenges with emissions.
There's a joke that captures the irony of technological advancements: when someone proposes a new energy generation method, the question arises, "New, or steam?" The disappointing punchline, “Steam,” highlights the enduring legacy of steam power in various industries, from coal and nuclear to early solar energy, all echoing the principle of boiling water to drive turbines. This age-old method saw extensive applications in rail and maritime transportation. However, steam's presence in cars is often overlooked.
The dawn of the automobile era witnessed competition among steam, electric, and gas-powered vehicles for market share. Despite steam technology evolving since the 1700s, it ultimately lagged behind internal combustion engines due to challenges like heavy boilers, poor thermal efficiency, and difficult maintenance. Consequently, steam vehicles faded into obscurity as gasoline-powered cars took over.
Yet, steam's industrial use persisted, and by the late 1960s, amid rising concerns over federal emissions regulations threatening the reputation of muscle cars, automakers were exploring alternative technologies that could help them adapt. General Motors (GM) identified an opportunity by turning to historical innovations, leading to an unusual partnership with a steam pioneer named Bill Besler.
Bill Besler’s Steam Legacy
Bill Besler was not a newcomer to steam power. Before his collaboration with GM, he had received attention for converting the first airplane to steam, successfully flying it in a project that demonstrated his capabilities in overcoming steam's limitations. His experience included previous work with Kaiser, which had experimented with steam power in the 1950s. With GM's support, Besler set out to adapt steam technology for one of the brand’s most popular models, the Chevelle, in 1969.
In this endeavor, GM set specific parameters: the new steam powerplant had to fit within the existing underhood space of the Chevelle. This posed a challenge, as traditional steam car designs often featured a separated engine and boiler layout for optimized balance. The Chevelle's forward-engine design limited the possibilities, compelling Besler to think creatively.
The Doble Legacy
Besler worked from the longstanding Doble steam technology, which had informed many successful steam designs up until the 1930s. The Doble engine became foundational for Besler’s innovation, ultimately enabling the 1969 Chevelle conversion. This engine, termed the “1970 Doble” during development, was characterized by a “double-pumping” mechanism that utilized steam at varying pressures to generate power. Kerosene served as the fuel during testing, although the design allowed for the use of diverse fuels.
Traditional steam vehicles typically do not necessitate gearboxes; a feature that made them smoother to operate. However, the Chevelle required a transmission connection to send power to the rear wheels, thus retaining part of its original V8 engine. By modifying the engine, Besler was able to house the additional steam-related hardware within the vehicle's framework, necessitating alterations to the hood and bodywork for ventilation.
The Prototype Performance
The steam-powered Chevelle, referred to as the SE-124 (after its cubic inch displacement), surprised many with its performance. After a startup period of about 30 seconds followed by warming up for an additional 90 seconds, the car could reach speeds of up to 65 mph using the 50 horsepower generated by the steam engine. Emissions from the prototype were relatively low, with only water needing to be periodically topped off since the system was designed for nearly perpetual recirculation of water.
While this steam Chevelle was successful at achieving its design goals, GM was not alone in its experiments. Internally, the company was also developing the SE-101, a steam-powered Pontiac that used a different design approach dubbed the “uniflow” steam engine. This approach, however, encountered significant issues that complicated its production viability, from weight challenges to insufficient condenser functionality.
The End of the Steam Road
Ultimately, GM decided not to pursue steam technology further after these prototypes. While steam power offered advantages over internal combustion engines, it lacked sufficient appeal to warrant a complete reconfiguration of the automotive offering and a retraining program for dealerships. Nevertheless, the Besler steam Chevelle didn’t fail entirely. It logged over 5,000 miles in testing and demonstrated that while steam might not represent the future of automotive technology, it carried a fascinating legacy worth exploring.
In retrospect, GM's brief foray into steam parallels other historical attempts by the automotive industry to embrace alternative technologies. For instance, early electric vehicles faced hurdles similar to those of steam-powered vehicles, grappling with technological limitations that held them back. The Chevelle stands as a noteworthy experiment in its own right but ultimately marked a fleeting moment in automotive history rather than a precursor of things to come.
Through its uniqueness, the Chevelle turned the page on an era of exploration, a testament to the creativity and resilience of engineers like Bill Besler who dared to revisit the past while looking ahead.
