When the Ford Nucleon concept was first unveiled back in 1957, nuclear technology was relatively new, and it was believed that nuclear fission technology could be made compact as well as affordable, such that nuclear fuel would become the primary energy source in the United States.
Ford pictured a future where gas stations would become obsolete and replaced with full service recharging stations. The Nucleon could travel for up to 5,000 miles before its reactor would have to be exchanged for a new one. When that time comes, users would have several different reactors to choose from, such as a fuel-efficient or high-performance variants. The reactor provides power to the vehicle by using heat to convert water into steam, thus essentially making it a steam-driven powertrain.
- Enjoy a rewarding building experience shaping every detail of the 2022 Ford GT with this 1:12 scale LEGO Technic car model kit for adults
- The model car includes authentic features, such as a V6 engine with moving pistons, independent suspension on all wheels and front-axle steering
- Take your time assembling details like the rear-wheel drive with differential, opening doors, adjustable spoiler wing and opening hood
The Nucleon was styled on the assumption that the present bulkiness and weight of nuclear reactors and attendant shielding will some day be reduced. It seems reasonable to suppose that engineers eventually will discover a way to make this weight reduction possible,” said George W. Walker, Vice President for Styling at Ford (1955-161).
