Gibbs Technologies is working on several types of amphibious vehicles which could be used for military or first responder applications. The production vehicles could be similar to this Humdinga prototype.
By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
Mike Davis of the Detroit Bureau thinks antique military World War II DUKWs or “Ducks” as they were commonly known could help aid workers deliver supplies to Haiti following the earthquake.
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2010/01/wwii-ducks-could-aid-haiti-relief/
But in the future, Gibbs Technologies has a better idea. Among other vehicles, Gibbs is working on some first responder rescue vehicles as well as amphibious military vehicles which would be ideally suited to the task.
Continue reading Ducks to help in Haiti? How about a modern amphibian?
BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
DETROIT — Add David Cole to the list of automotive experts who think a modern amphibious car is going to be a tough sell.
Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, said he’s not sure the market for amphibious cars that Gibbs Technologies is counting on is going to be very big.
Continue reading CAR’s David Cole: Amphibian market may be small
The Icon A5 is designed for the new sport flying segment.
In the old days, we just called them seaplanes.
But the Icon A5 is not exactly a seaplane. It’s designed for the new Federal Aviation Administration’s sport flying regulations. Licensing requirements are reduced, but the plane’s use is also restricted.
Continue reading Here’s something fun: An amphibious airplane
Greg Zinkosky drives his Amphicar toward the boat launch.
Click here to find out what Amphicar enthusiasts think about the new wave of amphibious cars
By Bryan Laviolette
MILFORD — About a decade ago, Greg Zinkosky heard a news story on the radio about the annual get-together of owners of Amphicar, the most successful amphibious car ever built.
Continue reading Amphicar owner enjoys the attention
By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Like just about everything else regarding amphibians, those who try to insure them are breaking new ground.
Do you insure it as a car? Boat? Or do you need two policies?
Continue reading Insuring an amphibian: Is it a boat? Car? Two policies, or just one?
Gibbs' Aquada
By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
Just how big is the market for amphibious cars? Hard to say. Even the major players involved in making them have wildly different thoughts on the subject.
Continue reading Amphibious car companies disagree over size of market
The Terra Wind is a luxury recreational vehicle built to shock onlookers when it drives into the water and floats.
By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
RIDGELAND, S.C. – John Giljam and his wife Julie were tired of the troubles they had with the military LARC amphibious transport vehicle that they used for tours on Hilton Head Island.
Continue reading C.A.M.I.: Everything from amphibious buses to high-speed sports cars
AUBURN HILLS — What do you get when you cross an all-terrain vehicle with a personal watercraft? A Quadski, of course.
In an exclusive interview at the company’s U.S. headquarters and research facility, Gibbs Technologies Chairman Neil Jenkins said Quadski production will begin in the second or third quarter of 2010, making it the company’s first product.
Continue reading Gibbs Quadski: Part ATV and personal watercraft
So you thought amphibious cars that ride on top of the water were a wild idea? How about a submersible car?
Rinspeed, the renowned Swiss tuner that specializes in tarting up Porsches, has developed the sQuba, which is capable of driving into the water, then going up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) beneath the waves. It first showed the car in 2008.
While the idea sounds preposterous, Rinspeed’s videos actually show the vehicle doing its underwater tricks.
Starting with a Lotus Elise, Rinspeed first removed the entire drivetrain, replacing it with an all-electric system, allowing the vehicle to be emissions free, even underwater.
Rinspeed founder Frank M. Rinderknecht said his inspiration for the car was the 1977 James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” in which Roger Moore as 007 drove a Lotus Espirit underwater. That car was mostly made with a bag of movie tricks. But the sQuba is real.
Rinderknecht said he fantasized about making a submersible car for three decades, the trick movie car running through his head.
Continue reading Rinspeed sQuba: The car turns deep-sea diver
Recent Comments