When gasoline prices rise and electric vehicles remain out of reach, some drivers look for unconventional solutions. In Brazil, one family found an extreme alternative: burning firewood.
A 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe has been running on wood instead of gasoline for nearly half a century, according to automotive outlet Autogeek.
Nearly 50 years without gasoline
In 1977, Arnold Schmidt and his son, Elemer, decided to experiment by converting the classic sedan to run on wood fuel. Six months later, the car was back on the road — powered by logs rather than liquid fuel.
The pair installed a gas generator in the trunk, where burning wood produces combustible gas. That gas is then fed through hoses into the car’s standard 3.6-liter, 105-horsepower engine. The system functions much like a homemade version of an LPG setup, but relies entirely on wood.
Cheap fuel, practical results
A full load of firewood provides enough energy for about 80 kilometers of driving, and the fuel costs almost nothing. Schmidt calculated that the savings compared with gasoline were substantial.
As a result, the Chevrolet has not visited a gas station in more than 45 years.
Official approval and a family legacy
Perhaps most surprising, the modified vehicle was certified by the Federal University of Santa Catarina and received official approval for road use.
After Arnold Schmidt’s death in 2021, his son continued driving the unusual car, preserving both the vehicle and a family tradition that blends ingenuity with necessity.
