05/06/2026
Did you know?
Volkswagen built an amphibious vehicle called the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen that could drive down a road, enter a river, and keep going without stopping.
Developed during World War II, the Schwimmwagen was based on the mechanical components of the famous Volkswagen Beetle but used a boat-shaped watertight body.
How did it work?
It had four-wheel drive, unusual for a small vehicle at the time.
When entering water, the driver could lower a rear-mounted propeller.
The front wheels acted as rudders to help steer.
It could travel on both roads and waterways without needing a trailer or separate boat.
The Crazy Part
More than 14,000 Schwimmwagens were built, making it the most-produced amphibious car in history.
Despite being over 80 years old, some are still operational today and occasionally appear at military vehicle shows and classic car events.
Speed
On land: around 50 mph (80 km/h)
On water: around 6 mph (10 km/h)
So it wasn't exactly a speedboat!
Would you drive one? Give this post a 👍 if you would or a 👎 if you wouldn't