Blastolene Special
Encyclopedia
The Blastolene Special is a unique, specially built car, designed and built by Randy Grubb currently owned by the entertainer Jay Leno
. Created from a military tank engine and a custom-made aluminium body, it produces 810 bhp (@2800rpm) and 1560 pound-feet (@2400rpm) of torque. The car weighs 9,500 pounds (4,300 kg) which is 1/11th the weight of the original tank from which the engine was used.
-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). The car was built at Grubb's shop in Grants Pass, Oregon
.
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. Recently, the engine has been upgraded with fuel injection and twin turbochargers from Gale Banks
and his company, Gale Banks Engineering
, estimated to produce 1600 hp and 3000 ft.lbf of torque.
Blastolene has since made a similar car styled after a 1950s era Indy Car called the Blastolene Indy Special
.
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
. Created from a military tank engine and a custom-made aluminium body, it produces 810 bhp (@2800rpm) and 1560 pound-feet (@2400rpm) of torque. The car weighs 9,500 pounds (4,300 kg) which is 1/11th the weight of the original tank from which the engine was used.
History
In 2001 a glass artist named Randy Grubb made the Blastolene Special with a Continental AV1790Continental AV1790
The Continental AV1790 was an American tank engine. Produced by Continental Motors, the AV1790 was used in a variety of limited production or pilot heavy tanks, including the T30, T34 , T43 , T57, and T58, as well as the production M103 tank and the M51 recovery vehicle...
-5B(A huge engine that weighs the same as a Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
) used in a 51-ton M47 Patton Tank
M47 Patton
The M47 Patton is an American medium tank, the second tank to be named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the M46 Patton tank.-History:The M47 was the U.S...
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). The car was built at Grubb's shop in Grants Pass, Oregon
Grants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
.
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. Recently, the engine has been upgraded with fuel injection and twin turbochargers from Gale Banks
Gale Banks
Gale Banks is a hot rodder, drag racer, and automotive mechanical and electrical engineer who grew up in Lynnwood, California. From 1966 through 2007, his cars, trucks and dragsters have set numerous drag racing and land-speed records, as certified by the NHRA and FIA respectively...
and his company, Gale Banks Engineering
Gale banks engineering
Gale Banks Engineering and its four divisions , are companies created by Southern California hot rodder and automobile engineer, Gale Banks. These companies design, engineer and build high performance parts for the automobile and marine aftermarket and military customers...
, estimated to produce 1600 hp and 3000 ft.lbf of torque.
Interesting facts
- Introduced as "The Jay Leno Tank Car" on Gran Turismo 4Gran Turismo 4is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
, 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. - 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 SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
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.
- Jay Leno had a tuning company, Gale Banks EngineeringGale banks engineeringGale Banks Engineering and its four divisions , are companies created by Southern California hot rodder and automobile engineer, Gale Banks. These companies design, engineer and build high performance parts for the automobile and marine aftermarket and military customers...
, add twin turbochargers to the engine, not for higher power but to get more miles per gallon.
Blastolene has since made a similar car styled after a 1950s era Indy Car called the Blastolene Indy Special
Blastolene Indy Special
thumb|right|The Blastolene Indy Special.The Blastolene Indy Special is a unique, specially built car. Created from a military tank engine and a custom-made aluminium body, it produces 810bhp @ 2800rpm and 1560 pound-feet @ 2400rpm of torque.- History :...
.
Specifications
- Weight - 4,300 kg / 9500 pounds
- Length - 640 centimetres /252 inches
- Transmission - 6-speed Allison automatic
- Quarter Mile - 14.7 seconds @ 93 mi/h
- Top Speed – 140 mph+ and 1590 ft.lbf of torque
- Cost - USD$250,000 (estimate)