The 1954 all-terrain, amphibious concept-vehicle "The Rhino"

 

In the otherwise placid purlieus of Indianapolis, Ind. in early august 1954 the weird and wonderful object on the opposite page thrummed eagerly along a highway at 45 mph, chugged effortlessly up a 65% grade, was tilted almost vertically without tipping over, then ended an eventful outing by churning through deep sand, mud and into the White River, where it cruised leisurely upstream at 4.3 knots.

Though shaped more like an old cigar, the vehicle is called "The Rhino" for its massive bulk and its penchant for mud. The secret of its performance lies in its huge, hollow, hemispheroidal, slanting wheels which give it a great traction and a low center of gravity. The machine is the brainchild of an inventor named Elie Aghnides.

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images and info provided by the LIFE Magazine / LIFE Magazine International / LIFE Magazine Atlantic ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection