In 1939 a 55-foot-long, 37-ton snow vehicle with a planned 8,000-mile range was deployed on Antarctica to explore the continent. It was called The Snow Cruiser. How did it fare? Not so well. If you saw my post from a couple of weeks ago, you know how it’s done today.
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If you’ve ever wondered what an electric off-roader might look like, check out this concept for the Nimbus e-Car. It’s spec’d with a 180hp electric motor, 200 mile range and designed with wrap around windows. I love the look of it.
See more photos after the jump.
Thanks to Mas for finding this one!
Link:
Nimbus™ e-Car – Future is calling / hemisferiocriativo.com
If you’re in the market for an amphibious, 6×6 off-roader, have a look at this mid-60s Alvis Stalwart. It features a 220-hp straight-eight Rolls-Royce engine, a 25,000-lb. winch, and a 12,000-lb. boom in the bed.
A few caveats before you grab your checkbook: The only way to get into this thing is through the hatches on the roof. It’s lack of a center differential means you can’t drive it on the road without destroying the transmission. And, of course, it’s British, so watch the electrics.
Another note of caution: some of these trucks had all of their swim gear removed in the 80s, while still in military service. Finding parts to rebuild those systems… let’s just say that Alvis never had much of a US dealer network.
That said, if you want a truly go-anywhere vehicle, and have the technical and financial resources to keep this 50-year-old beast running, it could be the vehicle for you.
This Alvis Stalwart is located in Puyallup, Washington, near Seattle, with an $8500 asking price.
A video about the Alvis and more pictures after the jump.
Links:
Bring a Trailer post
Craigslist ad
4wd Online, Alvis article Read the rest of this entry »
Here’s an interesting experimental off-road vehicle from the 1930s. It looks like it has ten-wheel-drive, though I was only able to trace it to this source on Flickr. Apparently it’s English.
There’s a new fridge on the market from Basecamp. It can chill its contents from between 0˚ and 45˚ and is available in two versions, a 42-quart ($790) and a 63-quart size ($860). It features a wireless, digital readout showing the fridge’s internal temperature and the vehicle’s battery voltage. After the vehicle has been parked for while, the fridge will cut out in order to save the vehicle’s battery. Just when it does so is adjustable via three selectable settings. There’s also an internal LED light and an open lid alarm.
There’s no word on how it stacks up to the industry standard bearers like National Luna and ARB — its priced below both of them — but here’s a link to the Overland Journal fridge review from a couple of years ago so you can compare notes.
Photo: Expedition Portal
Scott Brady, the founder of Expedition Portal and the publisher of Overland Journal, posted an excellent article on the Portal on outfitting a vehicle for overland travel. He covers the following:
- Safety Equipment
- Navigation
- Communication
- Tools and Spares
- Proper Recovery Points
- Recovery Equipment
- Loading and Lashing
- Light Truck All-Terrain Tires
- Suspension
- Bull Bar and Self Recovery
It’s a well thought out list. I recommend it, if you’ll be heading out into the back country. On the Expedition Portal forum other people chimed in with lists of their own. Forum member, coastsider, added a nice gear/camping/maintenance list.