The Gibbs Quadski is an unusual vehicle which combines the features of a quad bike with a jetski. This amphibious sports machine has retracting wheels and separate drive methods for land and water.
Fast Facts
- The Gibbs Quadski was one of a number of models of amphibious vehicles made by Gibbs Sports Amphibians of Detroit between 2002-2016.
- The family of Gibbs amphibious vehicles utilize their HSA (High Speed Amphibian) technology.
- The Gibbs Quadski was featured in an episode of “Top Gear” in which Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond race across Lake Como – with Hammond in an Alfa Romeo 4C and Clarkson on the Quadski getting rather damp.
- A Gibbs Quadski is up for sale on Bring a Trailer at time of publication.
The Gibbs Quadski is an amphibious recreational vehicle that was created by Gibbs Sports Amphibians. The company was formed by New Zealand entrepreneur Alan Gibbs, who has a background both in business and in politics. The company produced amphibious vehicles based on their HSA (High Speed Amphibian) technology in the United States from 2002 up until 2016, at which time they relocated to New Zealand and nowadays focus on licensing their HSA technology to other manufacturers. Gibbs Sports Amphibians continue to provide support and parts for their vehicles.
Perhaps the most famous of the Gibbs amphibians was the Gibbs Aquada, which was an amphibious sports car. The Aquada gained fame when one was used by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson to cross the English Channel.
Gibbs Sports Amphibians made a number of amphibious vehicles including the Aquada, Humdinga, Phibian, Triski, Biski, Terraquad, Quadski and the Quadski XL.
To view the individual pages on Gibbs Sports Amphibians web page click on each of the links above.
Gibbs produced about 1,000 of their Quadski model in Michigan from 2012 up until the end of production in 2016.
The Quadski is essentially a cross between a quad bike and a jetski. It is build on rather novel technology that provides rear wheel drive for use on dry land, and enables the wheels and suspension to retract up into the vehicle for use in the water: this being accomplished at the touch of a button.+
For drive in the water the Quadski uses a jet drive equipped with a reverse bucket.
The engine is a marinised BMW Motorrad’s DOHC inline four cylinder 1.3 liter (1,293cc) engine. This engine produces 100 kW (140 PS. i.e. 140 horsepower with 87 lb-ft of torque). On land this power is reduced to about 60 kW (82 PS) and the full power of the engine is used when the vehicle is in water mode.
When used on land the engine drives through a five speed transmission with reverse via a centrifugal clutch. When in the water the vehicle drives and steers via the jet drive which provides forward, reverse and steering.
Brakes are discs all around and the suspension is fully independent on all four wheels.
The Quadski has an approximately two hours range when used on water, and around 370 miles (600 kilometers) on land.
An entertaining way to gain an appreciation of the Quadski, its technology, and the fun that can be had with one, is to watch the “Top Gear” episode that features one. Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond have a race across Lake Como, with Hammond in an Alfa Romeo 4C, and Clarkson on a Quadski.
You can find the video if you click here.
A Gibbs Quadski For Sale
One of the thousand Gibbs Quadski amphibians is up for sale on Bring a Trailer at the time of publication. This Quadski was displayed at the 2015 SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and purchased by the current vendor in 2021. It has a clean Michigan watercraft title in the vendor’s name.
It has its composite hull and bodywork finished in black with silver US flag graphics as well as a white Chevrolet Bowtie logo and Kid Rock lettering. It has a black solo seat, front and rear bumpers, hood-mounted air scoops, headlights, and taillights, and is fitted with alloy 12″ wheels which are mounted with 25×8.00″ CST tires.
The handlebar has a thumb operated throttle and attachment point for an engine cut-off lanyard in case rider and machine are motoring so exuberantly that they part company.
Instrumentation comprises Gibbs branded 100 mph speedometer, fuel level gauge, and a digital display. The odometer on the sale Quadski shows 84 miles driven on land.
Picture Credits: All pictures courtesy Bring a Trailer.
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
