The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#1

Post by terryf » Fri, Jan 16, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC

The Antarctic Snow Cruiser
amusingplanet.com

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#2

Post by mtct88 » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:45 AM UTC

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work.

Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#3

Post by msl09 » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 12:12 PM UTC

mtct88 wrote: post #2

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work. Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

At least I imagined they would at least test it on Alaska or some other snowy region of America, but I guess they were in a rush.

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#4

Post by flurdy » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 12:16 PM UTC

msl09 wrote: post #3

mtct88 wrote: post #2

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work. Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

At least I imagined they would at least test it on Alaska or some other snowy region of America, but I guess they were in a rush.

It was built in Chicago. They could have just tested a bit North of Chicago. Wisconsin sees a fair amount of snow, and probably would not have needed to go all the way to Canada before the shortcomings were obvious.

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#5

Post by comrade1234 » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 12:18 PM UTC

mtct88 wrote: post #2

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work. Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

It was funded with private donations so I assume it was a grift with someone skimming off the top.

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#6

Post by hasperdi » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 12:27 PM UTC

The YouTube channel Calum made a documentary about it https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zR0M7KjnJTE , Mustard did too https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0eZRoQ86g

Re: The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

#7

Post by flurdy » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 12:29 PM UTC

mtct88 wrote: post #2

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work. Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

Also that they only built one. I think most people with experince of trips in heavy snow conditions or any mountain trip know you go in at least pairs. 2 snowmobiles, 2 dog sleds, etc, so if one gets stuck, the other can help pull it out, or go get help. As you always get stuck.