1944 Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen

This 1944 Volkswagen Schwimmwagen is an amphibious military vehicle that is said to have been registered for road use in Europe in the 1960s and refurbished in Germany in the 1980s before being imported to the US.  Power is sent from an air-cooled flat-four to the rear or all four wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle and a two-speed transfer case. Features include locking front and rear differentials, rear portal axles, and a retractable propeller for use in the water.

The Erwin Komenda-designed Schwimmwagen was based on the Type 82 Kübelwagen and featured a unitized steel tub. Approximately 14,200 units were built for the German military between 1942 and 1944, making it the most mass-produced amphibious vehicle in history. The retractable propeller is engaged for amphibious use via a drive coupling extending from the engine’s crankshaft, while the front wheels are used as rudders. The cabin offers seating for four on forward-hinged seats with steel frames and tan vinyl covers as well as removable wood-slat floor panels.

Approximately 27k kilometers (~17k miles) are shown on the odometer. The air-cooled flat-four is reportedly a 1950s-era 36-horsepower Volkswagen long block that has been fitted with a period-style air cleaner and shrouds. 

The Ron Sturgeon Collection