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Amphibious vehicle made from lawnmower and rowing boat
It may sound like a lawnmower, but this vehicle cuts through waves and traffic rather than grass.
7:12PM BST 12 May 2011
A retired insurance broker, who lives in Bosham, West Sussex, spent around £1,000 and two years creating a road vehicle made from a large sit-on lawnmower and an old boat.
"I would classify myself as a nutter," 76-year-old John Hinton admitted.
Despite only building the machine to travel between his house and the harbour, the amateur inventor was concerned that the result – which has a top-speed of just 6 miles per hour – would have to be licenced.
"I was quite concerned about the local authorities so I actually walked into Chichester police station and explained the position," Mr Hinton said.
His request was passed on to the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) who decided to treat it as an invalid carriage, providing it did not go more than eight miles per hour on the road.
The pensioner also contacted leading lawnmower-maker Honda (who also make boats) to suggest mass production of the vehicle, an offer the Japanese firm has declined.
It may sound like a lawnmower, but this vehicle cuts through waves and traffic rather than grass.
7:12PM BST 12 May 2011
A retired insurance broker, who lives in Bosham, West Sussex, spent around £1,000 and two years creating a road vehicle made from a large sit-on lawnmower and an old boat.
"I would classify myself as a nutter," 76-year-old John Hinton admitted.
Despite only building the machine to travel between his house and the harbour, the amateur inventor was concerned that the result – which has a top-speed of just 6 miles per hour – would have to be licenced.
"I was quite concerned about the local authorities so I actually walked into Chichester police station and explained the position," Mr Hinton said.
His request was passed on to the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) who decided to treat it as an invalid carriage, providing it did not go more than eight miles per hour on the road.
The pensioner also contacted leading lawnmower-maker Honda (who also make boats) to suggest mass production of the vehicle, an offer the Japanese firm has declined.
