Though previously seen at the 24 Hours, the most singular feature of the Howmet TX was gas turbine power. Five years earlier, constructors Rover and BRM joined forces around the technology, with as best result 10th place for Graham Hill/Jackie Stewart in 1965.

In 1968, two Howmet TXs (for Turbine eXperimental) took the start in the 36th 24 Hours with at the wheel Ray Heppenstall (project spearhead)/Dick Thompson and Hugh Dibley/Bob Tullius. Unfortunately, they failed to class. However, since 2008 the Howmet TX has enjoyed a rebirth, returning to the circuit for the Le Mans Classic, thanks namely to Ascott Collection founder Xavier Micheron: "Indeed, the Howmet could provide a slogan for Ascott Collection, exceptionality through passion (laughs, Ed.)! I used to be on a different career path and the Howmet programme was more of a hobby at the time. Then one day, maybe as a mid-life crisis, I scrapped that professional life and decided to dedicate myself entirely to these cars by founding Ascott and going into the trade of extraordinary cars: mainly racing cars, but extremely special road models as well."

"Initially, I looked for a Porsche prototype such as the 906, 907 or 910. Then I found out a chassis 2 of the Howmet – which is equipped with a Porsche 910 windshield by the way (smile, Ed.) – was for sale in the U.S. It had been restored, but the engine was gone. One of the remarkable elements of this car is that the turbine was modified in such a way as to eliminate response time almost entirely. Another Howmet signature is the three exhaust pipes: two for the turbine and one for the evacuation of gases, which makes it possible to have almost zero response time. It was a huge challenge when I bought it because without the modifications it was practically undrivable, namely due to the response time. It took me two and a half years to track down capable people willing to restore it properly! It was a wonderful adventure…and a true consecration to bring the car to the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit for the 2008 Le Mans Classic."

The Howmet TX is also particularly fun to drive for Micheron: "It drives like an automatic, especially as it doesn't have a gearbox, but it takes adapting. The car is extremely efficient, but all prompts, whether noise or feeling, are very different from a piston engine car, if only due to the absence of a gearbox, which can serve as a prompt on a circuit. In the Howmet, I mainly use the speedometer. The car is very light, 750 kg for 400 hp, with a lot of torque. Having been able to hit the track at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit with a car like the Howmet will always mean the world to me. Taking on the Mulsanne Straight and Ford chicanes the pedal to the metal is such a thrill for me. Going to Le Mans is a bit of a pilgrimage (laughs, Ed.)! The Howmet TX and I have been just like old friends for 15 years."

PHOTOS (Copyright - Ascott Collection): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS CLASSIC, 6-8 JULY 2018. The Howmet TX has often returned to the 24 Hours circuit since 2008 for the Le Mans Classic.