Aerodynamic/Hydrodynamic virtues of the '60's Amphicar

[Tango Charlie]

Okay, so there's plenty going on above the waterline, aerodynamically and otherwise... ... but what I was wondering, is if the front wheel wells would be a better design aerodynamically as compared to the typical road vehicle.

[i_am_socket]

I think maybe the front wheel well was designed more for hydrodynamic performance, but certainly more cars could do with more consideration taken for their design. Drop that car a few more inches and it has a great front wheel dam/deflector.

I wonder what the effect of that wheel well design is aerodynamically vs standard?

[aerohead]

I'm thinking that the front is designed such that if you're descending a boat ramp into the water,the front won't"pearl",like an upside-down surfboard submerging upon striking a wave front.Aerodynamically,the ideal would be fully-enclosed wheels.I think the car is about compromise.It's not a great car and it's not a great boat.The "captain" IS great!

[MetroMPG]

Ahoy there.

For a good example of an aerodynamically optimized "open" front wheel well, search for images of the GM EV1, Honda Insight, or Solectria Sunrise.

[Tango Charlie]

Here's the Insight;


and the Sunrise;


and the EV-1;


Pretty conservative, really, compared to the amphicar's.

[MetroMPG]

Conservative? I don't know - but properly designed for a road vehicle. The forward facing tire tread is tucked in behind bodywork, and the trailing edge of the wheel arch is generously radiused.

The amphicar's front wheel arch bodywork is designed to permit water flow to interact with the wheel/tire in a big way because the front wheels are what steers the car when in water.

Amphicar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

The amphicar's front wheel arch bodywork is designed to permit water flow to interact with the wheel/tire in a big way because the front wheels are what steers the car when in water.

See? Now that's exactly why I posted this. Of course. I knew the front wheels were also 'rudders', but didn't make the connection. Thanks, Mr. Obvious!

So what I'm inferring from what others have done (others with more money for research and wind tunnel access), is that the radius does not need to be too pronounced. Just nice and smooth to help the airflow reattach.
This could be a fairly easy mod for a guy with autobody repair skills. A little snip here, a little bondo there...