This C3 Corvette Is Powered By an 880-HP Jet Engine

© Barcroft Cars - YouTube   It sounds unlike anything else on the road. Oh, and it's as quick as a modern supercar.

By Brian Silvestro, Road & Track

Jet engines and cars don't exactly go well together, but we can't help but love when someone combines them. This latest example is a C3-generation Corvette that's had its factory motor removed in favor of an 880-horsepower turboshaft powertrain. We're big fans. 

According to the above video published recently by Barcroft Cars, this 'Vette is powered by a Pratt & Whitney ST-6B gas turbine engine, originally designed for use in helicopters. It uses a turboshaft design, meaning it feeds power through a spinning shaft that can connect to a transmission, just like any other motor. The engine itself extends from the front of the bay all the way into the cabin, and even has functional air conditioning.

One of the most challenging things for engineers was being able to dissipate the massive amount of hot exhaust air coming from the engine. They designed a unique Inconel exhaust with rectangular pathways that led to a massive exit out back, occupying the space where there would normally be a diffuser. It's a hell of a thing to look at:

© Barcroft Cars   This Corvette Is Powered By an 880-HP Jet Engine

Of course, this Corvette is a bit quicker than your average C3. It can even give the new mid-engine C8 a run for its money. Thanks to the engine's massive power, it can accelerate from 0-60 in less than three seconds, and hit speeds over 180 mph. The engine idles at around 70 to 90 mph

The owner bought the car for around $550,000 in 2005, but estimates it would take up to $800,000 to build something similar from scratch. Considering the amount of custom work done here, we don't doubt it.