Top 6 Retrofuturistic Vehicles

History of the issue

Throughout the history of mankind, enthusiasts and science fiction writers have been thinking about the vehicles of the future. Some of the most extravagant and interesting predictions about future technology date back to the early 20th century. It was then that a whole trend was born, which today we call retrofuturism. 

Retrofuturism is a kind of fantasy about technology and lifestyle in the future, but with the influence of today's technologies. Retrofuturism has a very recognizable visual style – bright, colorful covers and illustrations of 1920-40 magazines with eccentric mechanisms are familiar to almost everyone. 

When you delve into the study of fictional vehicles of that era, you involuntarily wonder at several things. Firstly, with what love each of these bizarre devices was created. And although some instances, even in theory, are not workable, it is clear that they tried on the concept. 

Secondly, sometimes the authors of a new vehicle clearly overestimate the importance of some technologies of that time. A striking example is the use of a nuclear mini-reactor in a car. And although today it looks wild, it is thanks to such a reverent attitude and confidence of the authors in the future of their technologies that we can appreciate the atmosphere of those years.

Thirdly, on the example of another "all-terrain amphibious airship" that runs on steam, one can once again be convinced that there is no limit to human imagination and (in a sense) human engineering genius. We have selected some interesting retro-futuristic art on the theme of water vehicles - straight from the beginning and middle of the 20th century!

Submarine bus

People from time immemorial wanted to see the bottom of the river, sea and oceanwhile in a comfortable environment. Especially for this, an underwater bus on tracks was conceived. According to the author's idea, the bus would be used both for excursions and for crossing water bodies.

Of the interesting chips - security measures. The main security measure was ... an ejection passenger compartment. That is, the passenger compartment itself was something like a rescue capsule, which, in case of danger, would detach from the tracks and float to the surface.

Amphibious bicycle

And although the creator called this bike “amphibious” (which is quite consistent with the fashion of those years), we would call it a catamaran. The main feature of this bike was floats, which were installed instead of wheels. To the right and left of the “main side” there were 2 more floats on each side to stabilize the device. 

In the photo: a working prototype of a catamaran bike

When the “cyclist” pedaled, all six float wheels were set in motion. The catamaran bike could be used both on land and on water. I wonder what efforts would have to be made by the “cyclist” in order to pick up at least a small speed?

Boat on wheels

It was not just a boat, but a full-fledged lifeboat. The purpose of this vehicle is to carry out rescue operations in extreme conditions. A powerful gasoline engine was installed on board, which drove both the wheels and the propellers.

In the photo: the concept of such a boat. Published in Popular Science January 1937

To move on land, the boat used three wheels, but they were located in an interesting way. In front (on the bow) two smaller wheels were installed, and behind (on the stern) one, but more. The third wheel was also used as a rudder blade.

All-terrain vehicle for oil production

This all-terrain vehicle is more like an illegitimate child of a car, tractor and boat than an all-terrain vehicle in the modern sense of the word. Experts from the publication Popular Science wrote about the concept: “This hybrid all-terrain vehicle is a real nightmare for an engineer - but it works!”

In the photo: a real "swamp buggy". The photo dates from the second half of the 1940s.

In the photo: another model of an all-terrain vehicle

The most interesting thing is that this all-terrain vehicle is one of the few concepts that has been brought to life. It was first released / launched / built (underline as appropriate) in the city of Pittsburgh, USA. Throughout the 1930s, these machines were used to search for oil in hard-to-reach wetlands and flooded areas. The people called them "swamp buggies".

Expedition boat for Arctic exploration

This amphibious boat was designed to explore the cold regions of the planet. The skids on the bottom had to be made of stainless steel. They acted as skates. At the stern there was an additional steering wheel, with which turns were carried out.

In the photo: the concept of the boat. Published in Popular Science January 1938

All in the same stern was installed a huge propeller. He also provided traction both on water and on land. Interestingly, the concept has been developed, but already in the form of hovercraft.

Dayseller car

And finally the most interesting. A real autoyacht, a machine that transforms into a small yacht with a simple movement of the hand. Inventor Paul Pankotan presented his creation in January 1940. He was going to start production, but something went wrong.

In the photo: auto-dayseller. Published in Popular Science January 1940

Elegant hull lines, spacious (for those years) interior, leather roof - everything suggests that this is more a boat than a car. The fact that this is an all-terrain elegant car is only reminiscent of the wheels. Alas, there is very little information about the project left.

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04.08.2023