Tesla recently captured the world’s attention with a series of jaw dropping demonstrations for its next generation Roadster, featuring the car driving up a C shaped ramp and pausing while completely upside down. The company attributes this feat to a sophisticated multi mode fan and ground sealing system that generates immense downforce regardless of the vehicle’s speed. While the spectacle felt like something out of a science fiction movie, the automotive industry has actually been experimenting with vacuum technology for decades to keep tires glued to the asphalt.
One of the most daring predecessors was the Chaparral 2J, a boxy prototype that tore through the Can Am Championship in 1970. Developed by Jim Hall and Hap Sharp, this machine utilized fans adapted from military tank engines combined with polycarbonate skirts to create a sealed chamber under the chassis. By sucking air out of that void, the car achieved staggering levels of grip that paved the way for future aerodynamic experiments, proving that active suction could outperform traditional wings.
The concept eventually migrated to Formula One with the Brabham BT46 in 1978. Designed by Gordon Murray, this Fan Car used a clever loophole by claiming its rear fan was primarily for cooling purposes. In reality, it functioned similarly to the Chaparral, extracting air from beneath the car to increase stability during high speed maneuvers. Though it only competed in one race, it secured a victory at the Swedish Grand Prix before regulatory changes shifted how teams approached downforce.
In more recent years, McMurtry Automotive has pushed these boundaries even further with its Spéirling electric sports car. Shortly after Tesla showcased its Roadster tricks, McMurtry cheekily welcomed them to the club via social media, sharing footage of their own vehicle clinging effortlessly to an inverted platform. With its Downforce on Demand system allowing for corners exceeding 3g, McMurtry has already moved toward limited production while Tesla prepares its Thrust trim for a projected 2028 release.