"There is a new type of thermonuclear energy operating the Nobel Plasma engine. This engine is a closed two cycle reciprocating engine, that has no intake, uses no air, emitting no exhaust at all. A hermetic gas chamber is created by the telescopic fitting of two cylindrical units each open at one end, fitting one over the other to permit extension and retraction of the unit under the cycling pulses of a varying gas pressure confined within the chamber. The fuel is self-contained and hermetically sealed in the cylinders which are initially charged at the time of manufacturing, carrying their own power supply, that will last approximately 60 to 75 thousand miles, with no fall of efficiency. The cylinders can be recharged quickly and simply for about $25 to $30 per cylinder depending on the size of the engine.

The 'Fascination' will eventually be powered by this new energy source."

From the Hemmings Nation Flickr pool this week, an interesting piece of literature from Paul Lewis's Highway Aircraft Corporation of Sidney, Nebraska, the company behind the incredibly odd, but real, 1974 Fascination. Specifically, the document details Highway Aircraft's sales plan, which seems to have been carefully tailored to avoid getting into any Preston Tucker-like problems with the feds. Not to worry, though: The thermonuclear engine never materialized, nor did the expected production run.

Visit Hemmings Motor News