PONTIAC, Mich. – Dreams really do come true during the Woodward Dream Cruise as a long-forgotten car revs up back to life.
In front of the Williams International headquarters, the worlds of Hollywood and Metro Detroit collided. Gregg Williams, president and CEO of Williams International, and Hollywood legend Jay Leno met on an overcast Saturday.
“It was a real pleasure and honor for our team,” Williams told Leno in front of a film crew. “It was a team of all volunteers.”
Full-time comic, and part-time car enthusiast, Leno is known for his massive and rare collection -- including an unusual car. A turbine car Chrysler built in the early 1960s. Needless to say, it’s special to him.
“Well, it’s a part of my history because they had one at the World’s Fair in 1964 to see it,” Leno said. “It made a jet noise . . . going around and around. So, it’s always been a part of my history and I met a lot of guys exactly my age who also saw it at the World’s Fair.”
Just like most vintage cars, this one gave Leno some trouble when the engine died.
So, who better to fix it than Williams International, a design and manufacturer of gas turbine engines. Gregg Williams’ father founded the company only after working for Chrysler on the you guessed it . . . turbine car. Not only did it take time to source the materials, but it also required some time-traveling to rebuild the motor by revisiting the engineering behind it.
Williams’ told Local 4 the project took about two years with the eureka moment happening about a week ago.
The final act? She started up beautifully with the engine sounding more like a plane on a tarmac. This turbine is ready for takeoff. Next stop: Woodward Dream Cruise.
“The history of what I love – the automobile is based here in Detroit,” Leno said.
---> Your guide to the 2024 Woodward Dream Cruise: What you need to know
This is a Chrysler Turbine Car built in the 60s. Super rare car and few are operable including Jay Leno’s car. Williams International rebuilt the engine because the company’s founder spearheaded the design while employed by Chrysler. The project required volunteers and took about two years to finish. Sounds like a plane! The car will debut during the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Posted by WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit on Saturday, August 17, 2024
