Voitures Anciennes

[RobertArthur]

67 amphibious vehicles from 13 countries arrived in the first week of August in Berlin for ‘Amphib2026’. To the early sixties: four wheels, one engine and two propellers at the stern, then make sure it’s properly waterproof– and the Amphicar was complete. The amphibious convertible from the DWM factory in Berlin was the dream of millions. Yet only 3,800 were built in Borsigwalde. This week, the last remaining Amphicars will take to the waters of the River Havel between Kladow and Gatow, and between Wannsee and Potsdam.

Meet 67 Amphicars in Berlin, in the river Havel. Keep them rolling and swimming. Also a yankee DUKW and a German "Wehrmachts-Schwimmwagen".

[RobertArthur]

Sometimes I don’t see any slightly older Jaguar out and about for months on end, and then, out of the blue, there are two of them parked just a few metres apart. In a neighbourhood where the uniformity of modern cars doesn’t really make the streetscape all that interesting. A green 1995 Jaguar XJR 4.0 and a red 1994 Jaguar Sovereign 3.2 E2.

[RobertArthur]

Chrysler, already doing business in space in 1968. Ford went only eight miles high. Oldmobile was more daring with another rocket design.

[Hotrodder]

Also from Chrysler, powered by a turbine engine rather than piston engine. Never put into production but several prototypes were put on the road, in the hands of random public for assessment. Two of my friends and myself got a test ride in one in 1964. Very weird. Sounded like a Hoover and idled at several thousand rpm. Loads of info on the internet.

The-Chrysler-Turbine-Car.jpg

[RobertArthur]

Driving a turbine car.

[Hotrodder]

That sure brings back memories. That was exactly the same car. The driver was a doctor I think. We spotted it parked and were fascinated. He came out of his office and asked if we would like a ride. He answered all our questions with enthusiasm and when we asked him to floor it, he did! Great fun when you're a 17-year old petrol head.