It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome back Michael Manns, the renowned American automotive restorer and author, to discuss his fascinating book, Critical Knowledge, which explores the extraordinary story of Chrysler's experimental gas turbine car and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
Having previously discussed Michael's remarkable experience restoring one of these rare machines, this time we explore how his fascination with the Chrysler Turbine Car inspired him to investigate its history in much greater depth.
Michael explains how he spent years researching Chrysler's archives, historical documents and personal papers to piece together the story of one of the automotive industry's most ambitious experiments. With gaps in the historical record, he chose to combine documented facts with fictional characters and imagined conversations, creating a narrative that explores both the engineering achievement and the human decisions behind the project.
We discuss the corporate politics, economic pressures and changing priorities that contributed to the turbine car's demise, along with the book's dramatic conclusion and Michael's hopes that the story might one day make it onto the big screen. There's also the small matter of a foreword written by fellow turbine car enthusiast Jay Leno.
Our conversation also takes us behind the scenes of Michael's restoration business, where bringing historically significant cars back to concours-winning condition requires an extraordinary combination of craftsmanship, teamwork and attention to detail.
Michael explains how his workshop operates like a professional sports team, with specialists in fabrication, upholstery, and finishing all contributing to a common goal. We explore the fascinating world of concours competitions, from the selection committees and judging processes to the rivalries, politics and personalities that can influence the outcome.
And while winning at a prestigious event can add considerable value and provenance to a car, Michael explains why the greatest satisfaction often comes from seeing the pride and recognition it brings to the craftsmen responsible for the restoration.
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