The UCLA Hydrogen Car: Design, Construction, and Performance

In order to offer a reasonable solution to environmental problems, a vehicle was built for entry in the 1972 Urban Vehicle Design Competition. The heart of this alternative to today's vehicles is a standard V-8 engine modified to use hydrogen as a fuel. This vehicle easily beats the 1976 federal exhaust emissions standards. Novel features of the modified 1972 Gremlin include a roll cage that lies above the roof which doubles as a luggage rack; foam between inside and outside body panels for body stiffness and impact absorption; proved 5 mph [2.2 m/s] crash bumpers utilizing popcorn as the energy-absorbing material; an engine parameter monitoring system; and improved visibility, lighting, braking, handling, and driver safety. The vehicle continues to be tested, is driven frequently, and interacts well in the urban environment with the myriad of traffic situations encountered in Los Angeles.