DUKW Aqua Bus

The DUKW Aqua Bus was a one-of-a-kind sightseeing amphibian created by completely renovating a Second World War DUKW. Its steel hull was rebuilt and remodelled in the style of a 1942 GMC DUKW and topped with the cab of a 1992 Marco Polo bus, producing a fully enclosed, heated and air-conditioned vehicle for tours. It was offered for sale in 2000 through TrolleyBrokers after its renovator had used it for two years on a freshwater lake, and again on eBay in 2003 from Lake Placid, New York.

Conversion

The original petrol engine gave way to a 5.9 litre Cummins turbo diesel driving through an Allison automatic gearbox, with a 70-gallon fuel tank. Axles, drive shafts, universal joints and transfer case were rebuilt, and power steering and new hydraulic brakes were fitted. The radiator was moved to the rear exterior and a hydraulic folding staircase gave access at the back.

The bus seated 28 passengers plus driver and tour guide (the earlier advertisement says 30), and had a PA system and an air-ride driver's seat. Safety equipment, developed under US Coast Guard oversight, included an automatic fire-suppression system, four electric bilge pumps plus a chain-driven pump, oversized emergency windows and two roof hatches. It was street legal and capable of about 45 mph (72 km/h) on land and 6-8 knots (11-15 km/h) afloat.