Jalopnik: gibbs

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]

Saleen Developing Gibbs Aquada And Quadski For American Market

Wes Siler — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:20:00 EDT

Saleen will be conducting manufacturing design and engineering work required to bring the Gibbs Aquada and Quadski to the North American market. Gibbs plans to introduce the models here late in 2009 or early in 2010. In addition to working on production processes for the amphibians, Saleen is also looking at ways to improve their performance.

Sort of a cross between a Jet Ski and a quad bike, the Quadski can reach speeds of 40 mph on land and water. Not just a big toy, it can be a valuable tool to rescue workers and military personnel that need to rapidly cross varied terrains. The Aquada is intended to work as a sports car on the road and a speedboat on the water. Capable of reaching 110 mph on land and 40 mph on water, its 175 HP motor is capable of towing water-skiers as well.

We're really looking forward to getting our hands on both machines. Anyone know where we can get "Save the Enzos" printed on a Speedo? [via WWJ]

Aquada Amphibious Sports Car Coming Stateside In 2009?

Ray Wert — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:45:00 EDT

~~Ned Plimpton~~ Alan Gibbs was in town yesterday being courted by the state to make Michigan the location for technical centers, sales offices and manufacturing sites for the Aquada. It's an amphibious vehicle that is "a sports car on land (top speed of 110 mph) and a speed boat at sea (33 mph on salt or fresh water)" and he's looking at bringing the currently Brit-built boat across the Atlantic to sell stateside by 2009. We're told it'll sell for about $85,000, not including dock fees or life jackets. – Ray Wert

Will Detroit build new aqua-car? [Detroit News]

Related:
DOD to Evaluate Gibbs Amphibious Vehicles [internal]

DOD to Evaluate Gibbs Amphibious Vehicles

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 21:30:00 EDT

The Department of Defense is looking south of the equator for new amphibious, personalized-type landing craft, having signed a development contract with New Zealand-based Gibbs Technologies to evaluate mil-spec versions of their Aquada, Humdinger and Quadski vessel/vehicles. We're wondering if the SEAL-carrying Aquada variant will carry a large set of speakers that blare the "Miami Vice" theme to strike fear in the hearts of beachfront men with RPGs. Meanwhile, we still want a DUKW with a GMC MotorHome body grafted on.