The 100 Mile-Per-Gallon Alternative Car

By Jack Mccornack
Published on July 9, 2008
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Learn about the 100 mile-per-gallon alternative car contest. Meet Jack McCornack, the brains behind MAX — the 100-mpg hopeful that you’ll be able to build.
Learn about the 100 mile-per-gallon alternative car contest. Meet Jack McCornack, the brains behind MAX — the 100-mpg hopeful that you’ll be able to build.
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MAX all dressed up, street-legal (thanks to the Department of Motor Vehicles) and ready to turn heads.
MAX all dressed up, street-legal (thanks to the Department of Motor Vehicles) and ready to turn heads.
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The first test drive of the Kubota diesel engine in the Locost frame was fun.
The first test drive of the Kubota diesel engine in the Locost frame was fun.
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MAX’s diesel engine has no ignition system, no carburetor, no electronic fuel injection — it just runs, and quite efficiently so.
MAX’s diesel engine has no ignition system, no carburetor, no electronic fuel injection — it just runs, and quite efficiently so.
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The Kubota diesel engine that powers MAX.
The Kubota diesel engine that powers MAX.
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The “Corrode Warrior,” a rusty, old Toyota of unknown origins, served as the donor car for the first test drive of MAX’s engine setup, complete with honey bear fuel tank.
The “Corrode Warrior,” a rusty, old Toyota of unknown origins, served as the donor car for the first test drive of MAX’s engine setup, complete with honey bear fuel tank.
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For the first test drive of MAX’s engine setup, Jack McCornack set up an oven timer, GPS unit and 12-ounces of gas in a honey bear “tank” so he could track the gas mileage (just over 37 mpg).   
For the first test drive of MAX’s engine setup, Jack McCornack set up an oven timer, GPS unit and 12-ounces of gas in a honey bear “tank” so he could track the gas mileage (just over 37 mpg).   
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Jack McCornack and his “accomplices” for the MAX project are having so much fun, it ought to be illegal. From left, that's Sharon Westcott pushing the paint, Jacky Leggitt crunching the calculator, LeRoy Clouser running the riveter, Jack McCornack wielding the wrench, and Dave Levison manning the Miller.
Jack McCornack and his “accomplices” for the MAX project are having so much fun, it ought to be illegal. From left, that's Sharon Westcott pushing the paint, Jacky Leggitt crunching the calculator, LeRoy Clouser running the riveter, Jack McCornack wielding the wrench, and Dave Levison manning the Miller.
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The Lola Mark 1: a classic sports racer, and an inspiration for MAX’s future body styling.
The Lola Mark 1: a classic sports racer, and an inspiration for MAX’s future body styling.

Without any whiz-bang technology, we’re building a 100 mile-per-gallon alternative car for the Auto X Prize competition. MAX may not win the Auto X Prize, but it will prove a point that 100 mpg is within reach without futuristic technology.

The 100 Mile-Per-Gallon Alternative Car

There’s a contest underway to build 100-mile-per-gallon (mpg) cars that are practical and feasible for mass-production. Known as the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize, it will award $10 million to whomever can crack the 100-mpg puzzle and best demonstrate the achievement during cross-country races. When the races start in 2009, I’ll be behind the wheel of a sporty two-seater that will be as cool as it will be fuel-efficient.

Through a series of MOTHER EARTH NEWS articles and updates online, and at Kinetic Vehicles you can come along for the ride.

Who are You, and How did You Get This Awesome Gig?

I’m Jack McCornack, and I have a history of tinkering with “alternative” vehicles. I was an energy conserve-and-economize zealot before Jimmy Carter wore a cardigan. In the early ’70s, when we were only allowed to buy gas every other day, I drove past the long gas lines in a homemade contraption that got 125 mpg. In the late ’70s, while working with MOTHER EARTH NEWS, I made aircraft that got 40 mpg on home-brewed alcohol, and I helped with the tilting, three-wheeled 3VG concept vehicle. (You can read the original articles about these projects inThe Flight of the Microlights and a two-part seriesHey, Take a Look at Our Three-Wheeled CarandA Hybrid Vehicle Leaning Toward the Future: The 3VG (PART II).) These days, my latest company, Kinetic Vehicles, supplies parts (and sage advice) for lightweight do-it-yourself sports cars.

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