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20-549: The Amphicat (known in Spain as Artés Gato Montés ) is a six-wheel-drive, skid steer amphibious all-terrain vehicle , one of whose developers was Spanish inventor and businessman José Artés de Arcos , whose company produced the model in Spain. Manufactured in the late 1960s through the early 1970s by Mobility Unlimited Inc. of Auburn Hills, Michigan , the product line was purchased by Magna American (a division of "Magna Corporation", unrelated to Magna International ) which produced

40-672: A Global Registry based on UNECE Regulations or national regulations listed in a Compendium of candidates, GTR harmonizing them at the highest level. In 2000, WP.29 became the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations that is a working party of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In 1947 the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was established to reconstruct Europe after

60-475: A long time. The first steps toward harmonizing vehicle regulations internationally were made in 1952 when WP.29, a working party of experts on vehicles' technical requirements, was created. This resulted in the 1958 Agreement on uniform conditions of approval and mutual recognition of vehicle approvals, components, and parts. This was one of the first international agreements on vehicle regulation, which initially focused on European countries. The European Union played

80-412: A particular country or region. They are usually mandated by legislation, and administered by a government body. The regulations concern aspects such as lighting, controls, crashworthiness , environment protection and theft protection, and might include safety belts or automated features. Government regulation in the automotive industry directly affects the way cars look, how their components are designed,

100-447: A role in harmonizing regulations between member states. Later, the 1958 agreement was opened to non-European countries such as Japan, Korea, and Australia. To join the WP.29, one has to send a letter signed by an important official from their country or regional economic integration organization (REIO) informing the secretariat of WP.29 that they would like to participate in meetings regarding

120-639: A straddled ATV, the amphibious 6x6 and 8x8 can be operated with precision at slow speeds, carry more passengers and cargo, and has the ability to float. Although the spinning action of the tires is enough to propel the vehicle through the water – albeit slowly – outboard motors can be added for extended water use. On land the combination of a large number of wide wheels and tires, low tire pressure and low vehicle weight all result in exceptionally low ground pressure, high grip, and off-road ability. For further enhanced off-road, snow and mud performance, optional tracks can be mounted directly onto

140-437: A tracked vehicle – either by braking the wheels on the side of desired direction, or by applying more throttle to the wheels on the opposite side. Most contemporary designs use garden tractor type engines, that will provide roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) top speed. AATVs typically do not meet vehicle regulations in most countries, and are therefore strictly Off Highway Vehicles (OHV). Though not as fast as

160-529: Is multisector that is a tool used to tackle hardships that may arise providing solutions when possible. Japan applies and is a member of the following UNECE regulations European union follows OECD regulations for tractors, for instance: Some trade agreements such as the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement may contain reference to a matching mapping of local requirements, for instance such mappings exists in appendix 2-C of

180-593: The TV series Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp and in an episode of Blake's 7 . Amphibious ATV Amphibious ATVs frequently use a lightweight body-tub with wide balloon tires and a simple drivetrain without any wheel suspension or steering – the only cushioning is provided by the soft tires, that also contribute to floatation in the water. Steering is through differential steering , also known as skid-steering . Models are frequently six-wheel drive , or eight-wheel drive on larger models. They were marketed from

200-402: The current definition. Typically constructed with a hard plastic or fiberglass watertight body "tub", AATVs usually have six or eight wheels – all driven – with low pressure (around 3 PSI) balloon tires, no suspension (other than what the tires offer) and no steering wheels. Directional control is accomplished through differential steering  – just as on

220-511: The early 1960s and quickly became popular, predominantly for recreation, in both the United States and Canada, originally called all-terrain vehicle ( ATV ). However, after the introduction of cheaper small three- and four-wheeled off-road motorcycles in the 1970s and 1980s, these became more popular, and the nomenclature 'ATV' shifted in usage to refer to the latter non-amphibious , straddled little off-road motorbikes. To distinguish

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240-432: The following characteristics. In contrast to today's ANSI definition of an ATV: "a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the (single) operator, and with handlebars for steering control", an AATV is intended for multiple riders, sitting inside, and will usually have two control sticks (and in some cases a steering wheel or joystick) rather than motorcycle-type handle bars as stipulated in

260-770: The harmonization of vehicle regulations (United Nations). The next step to participate would be to get the registration form completed by delegates who are also attending the meeting. Other parties such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) must be of certified advisory status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). There was a new international agreement in 1998 whose objectives were to improve global safety, decrease environmental pollution and consumption of energy and improve anti‐theft performance of vehicles and related components and equipment through establishing global technical regulations (GTRs) in

280-813: The original class of vehicles from the newer, straddled ATVs, the amphibious ones now go by the classification of ' amphibious ATV'. Amphibious ATVs were made in the United States a decade before 3- and 4-wheeled ATVs were introduced by Honda and other Japanese manufacturers. After the introduction of the Jiger in 1961, numerous manufacturers offered a number of similar small off-road vehicles. These vehicles were designed to float and were capable of traversing swamps, ponds and streams as well as dry land. Because they were smaller and much simpler in construction than amphibious cars , they were much cheaper to produce and quickly gained considerable popularity. By 1970 there were almost 60 companies producing amphibious 6x6 vehicles. There

300-506: The safety features that are included, and the overall performance of any given vehicle. As a result, these regulations also have a significant effect on the automotive business by generally increasing production costs while also placing limitations on how cars are sold and marketed. Automotive regulations are designed to benefit the consumer and protect the environment, and automakers can face stiff fines and other penalties if they are not followed. Some countries have had national regulations for

320-761: The vehicle in Raymond, Mississippi for several years. The vehicle was also made in Canada by Behoo Industries and differed slightly from its American counterpart, mostly on the transom. The Canadian version of the Amphicat was featured as the Moon buggy used by Moonbase Alpha personnel in the television series Space: 1999 and the US version as the Banana Splits' cars in the TV show The Banana Splits . It also appeared in

340-450: The war took place, expand profitable activity, and nourish relationships between European countries and the rest of the nation. With the help of UNECE, it is used as policy dialogue, economic dialogue, and assist countries in their intermingling into the global economy. UNECE attempts to maintain amicable relationships amongst other countries involving transport, trade, statistics, energy, forestry, housing, and land management (UN. ECE). UNECE

360-600: The wheels. A partial list of the more than 70 manufacturers of AATVs in the 1960s and 1970s: Although amphibious ATVs are not widely known today, they can be found everywhere from a farm to the oil fields. Modern AATVs are used for industrial applications due to their capabilities that traditional off-road vehicles do not possess. Recreational and sport uses (trail riding and exploration) are other common contemporary uses. Current brands of these machines include: NATVA (National All-Terrain Vehicle Association)

380-435: Was even a professional racing association (NATVA) dedicated to the 6x6, holding numerous competitions across the US. In the early 1970s however there was a rapid decline in sales of this type of ATVs, forcing most manufacturers to cease production: Only a small number of manufacturers of this type of vehicle remain today. Although many differing variants have been developed over the years, most amphibious ATVs share most of

400-505: Was the official amphibious racing association and had its own magazine. The organization started holding races in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s. Most of the events were held in Northeast and Upper Midwest of the US. Most of the successful teams were sponsored by dealerships or by an ATV company. Vehicle regulation Vehicle regulations are requirements that automobiles must satisfy in order to be approved for sale or use in

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