Amphibious automobile

Typically an amphibious ATV (AATV) is a small, lightweight, off-highway vehicle, constructed from an integral hard plastic or fibreglass bodytub, fitted with six (sometimes eight) driven wheels, with low pressure, balloon tires.

On land these units have high grip and great off-road ability, that can be further enhanced with an optional set of tracks that can be mounted directly onto the wheels.

The most proliferous was Nazi Germany's Schwimmwagen, a small jeep-like 4x4 vehicle designed by the Porsche engineering firm in 1942 and widely used in World War II.

One of the most capable post-war amphibious off-roaders was the German Amphi-Ranger [de], that featured a hull made of seawater-resistant AlMg2 aluminium alloy.

Gibbs and new partner Neil Jenkins reconstituted the company and are now seeking U.S. regulatory approval for the Aquada[2] Other amphibious cars include the US Hydra Spyder and the Spira4u.