Gibbs To Set Up Shop In Detroit, Finally Build Aquada Amphibious Car

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:15:00 EDT

After the announcement earlier this month that Saleen is teaming with Gibbs for development and manufacturing work on their amphibious Gibbs Aquada, news comes down Gibbs is setting up their corporate offices in the Detroit Suburb of Auburn Hills. After a ten year development cycle, a million man hours of work, and $100 million invested in the project, the final steps are being taken to put the automotive platypus into production.

When the boat-car debuts, it'll be the first major amphibious civilian vehicle since the Amphicar went to market in 1961. The three seat Aquada will be able to hit 110 MPH on the street and about 40 MPH or 35 knots on the water and will sell for about $85,000. Production location has not be set yet, but Michigan is also high on the list for that one as well. We're just wondering how the insurance companies would handle water damage on an amphibious car. [Detroit News]

Packard Plant Facade To Hit The Auction Blocks

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:20:00 EDT

A streak of panic hit us this morning as we read that the facade of the old Packard plant would be going up for auction on August 2nd. The famous landmark serves as chicken soup for the urban blight-lover's soul, and has stood as a testament to the ebbs and flows of the auto industry since the company vacated in 1956. In the last decade, it has become one of the top destinations for urban explorers in Detroit, but time, and scrappers, are taking their toll. The facade, inscribed with the Packard name, will be sold off by RM Auctions in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and a little piece of old Detroit will go with it. [Hemmings]

Jalopnik: detroit, mi

Gibbs To Set Up Shop In Detroit, Finally Build Aquada Amphibious Car

Packard Plant Facade To Hit The Auction Blocks