The Ford Nucleon was a concept car developed, but never built, by Ford Motor Co. Revealed to the world in the 1950s, the Nucleon was the ultimate in fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles since it was powered by a nuclear reactor.

The Ford Nucleon was a concept car developed, but never built, by Ford Motor Co. Revealed to the world in the 1950s, the Nucleon was the ultimate in fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles since it was powered by a nuclear reactor.

Yes, that’s right; you didn’t read that wrong.

The assumptions that lead to the Nucleon were understandable. No one back then knew the full hazards of radioactivity or uncontrolled atomic reaction. They saw the wonders of atomic power plants supplying electricity and the sleek, continuous, silence of atomic submarines and didn’t see why such marvelous technology couldn’t be put into an automobile.

Who wouldn’t want 5000 miles per tankful? Preserving the environment? Or driving in near silence? (Okay, maybe some enthusiasts….)

While the Nucleon may not be possible, its spiritual descendents are the buzz in everyone’s lips as gas prices continue to remain at their high levels.

Toyota’s Prius hybrid, powered by a combination of electric batteries and internal combustion engine, sail over America’s highways. The automaker, and many others, are looking into a plug-in version.

Tesla has sold out its electric sports car. General Motors has recently demonstrated what may be the first practical fuel-cell vehicle. Mazda has gone even further with its RX-8 that truly burns hydrogen for fuel, not use it as a component for fuel cells. The Germans? BMW is looking into hybrid that uses steam!

The optimism that drove the development of the Nucleon continues to live on albeit more practical terms in today’s modern vehicles. Maybe none of the technologies above are not as esoteric as claiming an atomic power plant under one’s hood, but each are as advanced in their own right. Their development took time, patience, and, most importantly, vision to come to fruition.

Does that mean the Nucleon may be possible in the future? Maybe as soon as we build a space station. Oh, wait….