‘Dream Vehicle’ Event Stresses Environment

These teens don’t just talk about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. They talk about photovoltaic cells, titanium crash cages and integrated drivetrain systems.

Six teams of high school students--including a team from Simi Valley High--gathered Monday for the semifinals of the first “Build Your Dream Vehicle” competition to be held in Los Angeles.

One team designed an aluminum car--it can be recycled once you’re done with it--featuring a radio that changes stations on the driver’s voice command. Another team included a refrigerator in its dream car.

The contest, sponsored by Chrysler Corp. and held at the Petersen Automotive Museum, is intended to teach students not only how to design a futuristic, environment-friendly dream vehicle, but also to work as a team.

A car designed by the Simi Valley team featured a gas-turbine engine, a concept that Dick Messer of the Petersen Automotive Museum pointed out was tried unsuccessfully in the 1960s by Chrysler. It seems the exhaust would run very hot and “set fields on fire.”

Still, the Simi Valley team was chosen to face off against teams from Hoover and Los Altos high schools in the finals. The winners will be selected Wednesday.

The students began working on their designs in October, spending weekends--and some class time--brainstorming and consulting everything from Popular Mechanics to engineering experts.

Appearing before a panel of three judges, 16- and 17-year-olds explained the propulsion system and safety features, presented a marketing plan and outlined the most important detail in the auto world: their scheme for making a profit.

“When I was growing up, we were more interested in horsepower--how fast can we go and how quickly can we get there,” said the Petersen museum’s Messer. “Every one of these presentations had a big emphasis on the environment. They are really concerned about the future of our planet. It was encouraging.”