Volkswagen Schwimmwagen

The prototype of the Schwimmwagen (or Swimming Car) was based on the Kübelwagen with a unitized bodytub structure - designed by Erwin Komenda, the car-body designer for Ferdinand Porsch. But this design could not handle the stresses of offroad driving, and any amphibious work resulted in ruptures of the bodytub. The bodytub was redesigned and the new version of the Schwimmwagen shortened the wheelbase to 6 feet 7 inches, which resolved the stress problems upon the bodytub of the vehicle.

The Schwimmwagen had a top on road speed of 50 miles per hour and was four wheel dive in first gear. A propellar mounted on the rear of the vehcile could be lowered down and engaged with the engines crankshaft via a rear coupling. This enabled the engine to drive the Schwimmwagen forwards in the water, with the front wheels acting as paddles, giving the driver the ability to steer the Schwimmwagen via the steering wheel. But tight turns or going backwards was acomplished best by using conventional paddles. Running the drive wheels in reverse could provide a little rear wards movement.

The Schwimmwagen was issued to reconnasance forces as a reeplacement to the motorcycle and side car, the four wheel drive and amphebious abilityes of the Schwimmwagen was a great improvement towards mobility over the motorcycle and side car.