Come 21st century and the environmentally conservative folk are moving towards hybrid vehicles. The Prius, when launched in the US had special sanctions for driving on carpool lanes with just one occupant. It was indeed a car to buy for some folks who treated it as an automotive innovation. Was the concept of an electric car really a 21st century thing? Not really, they have been in development right since 1888.
When pictures of a VW Beetle with a jet engine made rounds of the internet, enthusiasts believed that it was quite a unique thing that had never been done before. Again, not really, it was done way back in the early 20th century. Be it, having twin fuel tanks to twin spark plugs. Whether it was converting a motorcycle to a people carrier or inventing the smallest mode of transport. Thought of converting your car to an amphicar or designing a vehicle that flies, sails as well as moves on the road. It has all been done.
What prompted this thread? I received an email some weeks ago with a compilation of such innovations and inventions as well as uniquely redesigned cars. Pictures showing alternate modes of transport or attempts to reinvent the wheel. Some of them were plain whacky mod jobs of the time. I thought it was pretty cool and deserves its own thread here on team-bhp.
All pictures sourced from:
http://avaxnews.net/
Sit back and enjoy:
Model Gay McGregor shows off the latest 1956 model Bond Minicar three-wheeler, at its London preview.
An Adler Diplomat car, built in Germany in 1936, with its carburetor that uses wood instead of petrol, fitted during World War II.
Joan Blondell (1909–1979) the friendly comedienne is riding on an American railway truck, during the filming of her latest film, “Other Men's Women”, directed by William Wellman for Warner Brothers.
Captain Malin with an amphibian Riley car going down the Severn. He is taking a convoy of these cars for a London to Cape Town venture. The car is mounted on a portable balloon apparatus and driven by its own power through small paddles on the rear wheels.
The new Amphicar, which can be driven on land or water, is used as a fishing boat by its owner at the start of the salmon fishing season on the River Tay, Scotland. The “aqua” car is German built, fitted with a Triumph Herald engine and can reach speeds of 7.5 knots in water.
A fruit importer's lorry at Covent Garden, London , with its driver's cabin in the shape of an apple.
A man and a woman riding in an “Auto Red Bug”, America 's latest electric 2-seater runabout, in a London street. Driven by a 16 volt battery, it is capable of 12 mph.
A car of totally new design, the automodul, driven by its designer J. P. Ponthieu, at the opening of the first Racing Car and Cycle show in Paris.
Baker Mr. Sillitoe has constructed a delivery van with the driver's cab and the van in the shape of loaves of bread.
A motor car at Brooklands race track which has been fitted with a propeller for extra speed.
Customers buying snacks at the bar of a bus.
Prototype for a car-about-town, La Quasar, designed by Quasar Kahn. The car allows easy access from all four sides and can reach speeds of 95kph.
Navy recruits riding in car and trailer at the HMS Royal Arthur training centre formerly Butlin's holiday camp, Skegness.
Clive Talbot Of Chiswick, London , in his car built with the body of a boat.
A caterpillar driven ferry with a 24 horsepower engine takes holidaymakers from the mainland at Bigbury in Devon to Burgh Island, a quarter of a mile away.
Dr. Manfred Curry standing beside his invention, the Curry-Landskiff, a man-powered vehicle which can reach speed of up to 35 miles per hour.
A one-man anti-gas ambulance and resuscitator, designed and made for use by the Home Guard.
Georges Monneret arrives on Dover beach after successfully crossing the Channel on his Douglas Vespa motorbike balanced on a pair of floats.
Students at Brooklyn High School in New York learn to handle the controls of a car and experience simulated traffic conditions flashed onto a screen by means of projected film, using the Aetna Drivotrainer.
The James Samson Handyman electric cart offered for sale at £86.00 complete.
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