Watch 4×4 ‘VW Schwimmwagen’ dubbed ‘most ambitious amphibious car EVER’ created for Nazi troops in WWII take to water
THIS is the bizarre, amphibious VW Schwimmwagen created for the Nazis in the Second World War.
The bizarre motor actually made several appearances on the battlefield and holds the record as the most-produced waterborne car ever.
The Schwimmwagen was co-developed by Porsche and VW for the German army in 1942.
It was based on the VW Kublewagen, which was already readily in use by the Wehrmacht.
Using the Type 86 prototype of the model, which adapted it for four-wheel-drive, the two firms created a unique “bodytub” design to make the hull waterproof.
It also featured reconfigured suspension to provide better ground clearance and a simplified engine structure.
The 4WD system was available in first gear, as well as in reverse on select models.
There was also a propeller which could be lowered on demand, already connected to the engine, to allow the craft to travel across water.
The front wheels could be used as rudders, while the crew was also provided a paddle to allow them to row backwards.
On land, it had a top speed of 50mph, though this was considerably reduced in water.
Unusually, there were no doors or windows as the hull sat too low in the water to safely allow them.
A total of 15,584 were made between VW’s Fallersleben plant and the Porsche factory at Stuttgart, making it the most-produced amphibious car ever.
Its two-year production run saw it used by soldiers across Europe, particularly during the Balkan campaign.
There are even images of high-ranking Nazi officials like Hermann Goring using the vehicles as transportation.
Writing about the development of the vehicle in his 1976 memoir, Dr Ferry Porsche said: “Our experience with the Type 166 amphibian during the Russian campaign was incredibly good.
“This compact machine had no trouble using the same terrain as tanks.
” I was asked to bring this car to Hitler’s headquarters for a demonstration, and he appeared to be pleased.
“He took a long time inspecting the vehicle and asked the most detailed questions.”