1943 VW Schwimmwagen Typ 166
In the 30s of the last century the German army needed passable automobiles, which could cross rivers or lakes.
Ferdinand Porsche got the order to build such a swimming vehicle.
An open body without doors was placed on the base chassis of the VW Beetle with the purpose to protect the interior and the rear-located engine from water. Besides, there was an extensible screw on the hull back. The steering wheel could be used in the swimming mode as well.
This rare exemplar remained after the war in Austria and was used by the company Eislaufverein Wörthersee to look after the slopes at the lakes of Carinthia.
The VW Schwimmwagen was presented by this company to the Historama museum.
Technical characteristics:
Manufacturer - Volkswagen
Production year - 1943
Weight - 910 kg
Engine - 4-cylinder diesel
Power - 24 hp
Engine capacity- 1,131 l (1,131 cm3)
The VW 166 Schwimmwagen (Floating/Swimming Car) were amphibious four-wheel drive off-roadsters, used extensively by German ground forces during the Second World War. The Type 166 is the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.
Ferdinand Porsche got the order to build such a swimming vehicle.
An open body without doors was placed on the base chassis of the VW Beetle with the purpose to protect the interior and the rear-located engine from water. Besides, there was an extensible screw on the hull back. The steering wheel could be used in the swimming mode as well.
This rare exemplar remained after the war in Austria and was used by the company Eislaufverein Wörthersee to look after the slopes at the lakes of Carinthia.
The VW Schwimmwagen was presented by this company to the Historama museum.
Technical characteristics:
Manufacturer - Volkswagen
Production year - 1943
Weight - 910 kg
Engine - 4-cylinder diesel
Power - 24 hp
Engine capacity- 1,131 l (1,131 cm3)
The VW 166 Schwimmwagen (Floating/Swimming Car) were amphibious four-wheel drive off-roadsters, used extensively by German ground forces during the Second World War. The Type 166 is the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.
