Schwimmwagen on the Street!?

[whc03grady]

I think I've seen this one in person actually. Would you park it on the street if you owned it?
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=626+E+Gu ... XwuUxHCDiA

[tristessa]

I don't know that I'd park it on the *street* like that -- other than parking & going in someplace -- but I'd sure drive the hell out of a Schwimmer if I had one.

[whc03grady]

If I had a Schwimmwagen, I'd gain so much weight because I wouldn't ever walk (or swim) again.

[Bleyseng]

Haha, and you would get there slowly with their little 1000cc 25hp engine! I looked it to buying one at one time but they were about 20K then and now what 60K! Oh well, it's one of those if I win PowerBall purchases........and I would drive it to Maupin and give river rides.

[yondermtn]

I'd rather park it in a boat slip.

Green bay window at the shop across the street and a dude with a watchful eye on the Schwimm

[JLT]

.and I would drive it to Maupin and give river rides.

All downstream. I doubt if a Schwimmer would have the snorts to beat the current of the river.

It would be fun shooting the rapids, though.

[Bleyseng]

ok, I'd turbo it so it had 50hp and maybe it could go upstream on a good day.

[whc03grady]

I was under the impression that while the Allies looked at the Kubelwagen quite unfavorably--justifiably--compared to the Jeep, on the other hand the Schwimmwagen was thought an excellent vehicle and there was something of a demand for captured examples. They were quite capable in the water.
The idea was to win a war, not a race. Gimme a 25 hp, 45mph top-speed Schwimmwagen any day.

[Bleyseng]

Years ago I read Col. Von Luck book of his days in the German army during WW2. He was the last one across a river escaping the Allies in a Schwimmwagen his Sgt had grabbed for them from other fleeing Germans. He was scared to death crossing a river at night in a bathtub of a car but it made it.

[JLT]

I was under the impression that while the Allies looked at the Kubelwagen quite unfavorably--justifiably--compared to the Jeep, on the other hand the Schwimmwagen was thought an excellent vehicle and there was something of a demand for captured examples. They were quite capable in the water.

Well, the Jeep certainly had more horsepower, but the Kubelwagen proved to be the more useful vehicle in off-road conditions, due to its better weight distribution and the fact that if it got stuck, a bunch of soldiers could simply lift it out of the mud or sand or whatever. The story was that in North Africa, two Jeeps were worth one Kubelwagen on the black market.

As for seaworthiness, the Schwimmkubel was quite satisfactory. Its meager horsepower wasn't much of an issue when navigating lakes, canals and slow-moving rivers, which it was designed for. The Deschutes River, on the other hand, would not be considered a "slow-moving river" --- just ask Mark!

[Bleyseng]

Hence the turbo!

[Amskeptic]

Well, the Jeep certainly had more horsepower, but the Kubelwagen proved to be the more useful vehicle in off-road conditions, due to its better weight distribution and the fact that if it got stuck, a bunch of soldiers could simply lift it out of the mud or sand or whatever.

The story was that in North Africa, two Jeeps were worth one Kubelwagen on the black market.

Thank-you. My hackles were hackling.
Colin

[whc03grady]

Huhn, it was a long time ago I'd read (or thought I'd read) that GIs rated these little cars Schwimmwagen > Jeep > Kubelwagen. Cursory research shows the Kubel was considered at least as good as the Jeep, except if you had to tow something, so I retract my earlier comments (especially in light of the potential for raising hackles).
http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehi ... ubelwagen/

The bit I remember about Kubels being lesser likely has the same source as the end of the second paragraph here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen ... erformance

[Bleyseng]

I have driven a couple of stock early Jeep's, a 46 and a 50. Pretty good little vehicle as they can crash through the woods or climb/descend steep slopes. Pretty bouncy ride.
I have driven a couple of stock early beetle's, a 55, a 57 and owned a 60. All were decent in mud, snow, dirt but no way are they setup like a military vehicle to travel through the woods, off road etc. I'd take a Kubel due to it's light weight, mileage easy of repair but the Jeep wins hands down going through the woods or up/down steep slopes with 4 wheel drive.

[Amskeptic]

I have driven a couple of stock early Jeep's, a 46 and a 50. Pretty good little vehicle as they can crash through the woods or climb/descend steep slopes. Pretty bouncy ride.
I have driven a couple of stock early beetle's, a 55, a 57 and owned a 60. All were decent in mud, snow, dirt but no way are they setup like a military vehicle to travel through the woods, off road etc. I'd take a Kubel due to it's light weight, mileage easy of repair but the Jeep wins hands down going through the woods or up/down steep slopes with 4 wheel drive.

I loved driving our WW II jeep at the summer camp I worked at. Simple, engaging experience. I love a notchy crash box where you feel the gear engagement. The sound of the engine was perfect.
Colin