The first car in Antarctica was a purpose built 4 cylinder, 12-15 horsepower alcohol-fueled, air-cooled automobile built and donated by Scottish car manufacturer Arrol-Johnston for Ernest Shackleton's 1907 Nimrod Expedition.. It unfortunately performed poorly but it's still awesome nonetheless!!
Posted by The_Nabisco_Thing@reddit | WeirdWheels | View on Reddit | 31 comments
Guiseppe_Martini@reddit
The irony of a Scottish-built car being powered by alcohol...
(Said as a Scotsman before anyone asks).
Scoopdoopdoop@reddit
I wonder how fuel efficient alcohol is compared to gasoline. I assume not as efficient.
SuperTulle@reddit
Nope, about 30% less at best.
jnmtx@reddit
Photo #15 with the penguins being introduced to the automobile just makes the post for me.
happystamps@reddit
I love that the best cars in antarctica for a long time were just standard VW beetles. Think they chucked a petrol heater on them but that was about it.
LucarioLuvsMinecraft@reddit
Hey, when the main method of cooling the engine is open air, nothing gets colder than the Antarctic.
williamjamesw@reddit
I think they used kerosene in the transmission too. The regular gear oil would be too thick in the cold.
AlienInUnderpants@reddit
“Air cooled”. As if the environment wasn’t enough?
Muted_Reflection_449@reddit
Wow, that is a really great post, thank you ❗ 👍🏼
I even read the article , and that makes it genuinely interesting. Imagine the work and the lessons learned from this trip! Puts the "almost reached" into a whole other perspective! I'd have been proud as the car company! 😊
The_Nabisco_Thing@reddit (OP)
The fact that it was able to preform as well as it did, and make it back on the return trip is absolutely remarkable... I would absolutely be proud and call it a success!
stanky98391@reddit
Ernest Shackleton was such a bad ass. One of my favorite historical heroes.
The_Nabisco_Thing@reddit (OP)
Hell ya, mine too!!
jruschme@reddit
For some reason, I'm reminded of the Jerry Seinfeld bit about driving around on the Moon.
nr4242@reddit
Air-cooled, because why would you need coolant in Antarctica
BJoe1976@reddit
As somebody who runs E85 year round in the Midwest, I’m wondering how that car started in the cold. My flex fuel car can get cranky if it’s below 20*f, and that’s on winter blend E85 with us more gasoline heavy.
steelabjur@reddit
Bet it wasn't the only thing alcohol-fueled on that expedition!
BJoe1976@reddit
At least they could share with the car, wonder which were harder to get started in the cold though, the car or the crew?!
djscoots10@reddit
Must have been a chilling drive.
Mega-Steve@reddit
The coolest ride on the continent!
djscoots10@reddit
Fastest ride too.
Material-Indication1@reddit
Freaking splendid!
roaringbasher66@reddit
Look at the lil guy go!
Hubbarubbapop@reddit
COOL! Car!… 😂😂
MagicTriton@reddit
Considering it was 1907, the fact that it performed, at all, in Antarctica is a remarkable result
Cautious_Mongoose399@reddit
I understand that automotive manufacturing was still in its infancy in the early 1900s, but you think they could've at least put an enclosed cabin on that car, since it was going to the South Pole and all.
AwardNovel5414@reddit
They removed the body to reduce weight, as the car was sinking into the snow.
knowledgeable_diablo@reddit
The wind chill factor would be a serious issue. And if it actually got any speed up this would be even worse.
dphoenix1@reddit
The advertisement is hilarious. “It almost reached the South Pole!”
lysergic_tryptamino@reddit
Jules, if you give that fuckin’ nimrod fifteen hundred dollars, I’m gonna shoot him on general principle
Bland-fantasie@reddit
It performed poorly, unlike the other automobiles of the era.
The_Nabisco_Thing@reddit (OP)
Here's a few links with some info:
https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/first-car-in-antarctica-shackleton.php
https://nzaht.org/shackletons-car/
https://captainantarctica.com.au/the-first-car-in-antarctica/
The car unfortunately disappeared after returning to New Zealand, but several spare parts salvaged from Cape Royds can be found at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch NZ:
https://collection.canterburymuseum.com/objects?query=arrol