In the early-1960s we saw performance turbochargers being used in Motown, with Oldsmobile offering Turbo-Rocket V8 power in the ’62 Jetfire Sports hardtop coupe. Powered by a small one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch turbocharged 215-inch V8, the Jetfire boasted strong street performance plus impressive fuel economy.
It was Buick that really called attention to turbocharging with its Turbo Regals and Grand Nationals in the 1980s. By 1987, 3.8-liter turbocharged GNs were delivering V8 performance. The “Grand National To End All Grand Nationals,” the GNX, above, easily spanked Corvettes on the quarter-mile. In 1987, the turbocharged GNX was the quickest production car in the U.S. And, few imported Supercars could match its performance.
Porsche brought turbocharging to the forefront of production sports/GT cars with the
Turbo 911 in 1975, one of the first series production vehicles and arguably the
most successful. Turbo 911s continue, with the latest and most powerful
560-horsepower, twin-turbo 911Turbo S, below, just introduced.
Ferrari continues to use turbocharging to boost the performance of its top Supercars. The F40, below, is a perfect example of a boosted V8-powered racecar for the street. Today single and twin turbocharging kits can be had for most popular muscle cars, sports cars and GTs.
Check out Joe Breeze’s ‘Clash of the Turbo Titans’ at Classic Driver, http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3200.asp?id=16846&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=readmore&utm_campaign=newsletter30