3 ms·
Fun fact: The original VW beetle could do this for half an hour or so [1]. There was a (1960s?) article in "Modern Motor", whereby someone tested it and found
by femto 3y ago
Fun fact: The original VW beetle could do this for half an hour or so [1]. There was a (1960s?) article in "Modern Motor", whereby someone tested it and found that there was at least some control, as the tyres provided enough paddle action to move forward and the front wheels acted as rudders.
Their floating inspired some to modify beetles to really make them amphibious [2,3].
Even if it officially floats, I wouldn't like to go up against a flooded river in a 4WD [4]. In this example, the wheels snagged and flipped the car.
[1] https://www.arnoldclark.com/newsroom/527-why-do-volkswagen-beetles-float https://www.arnoldclark.com/newsroom/527-why-do-volkswagen-b...
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQiS4paC_sk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQiS4paC_sk
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rRwzPz6rzs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rRwzPz6rzs
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZNkgixXl7U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZNkgixXl7U
- ace2358 3y agoI live near the area from [4]. Driving through flooded streets is a huge issue, people don’t understand the dangers. I have a light 4wd and would never take it through any water, no matter how small it looks. You just don’t know what’s beneath the surface of the water.
- Perenti 3y agoI remember the front page of The Sun showing a VW sailing down Swanston St in the Melbourne CBD in 1972 during a flash flood. I was 10yo and thought it was brilliant.
- pcdoodle 3y agoThat is just cool, thanks for sharing.