Everybody has their own calling. Some strive to innovate, some strive to inspire, and others set out to heal.
As for Phillip Weicker and Duncan Forster, they set out to build “The World’s Fastest Hot Tub,” which is basically all of those things put together.
It all started in 1996, when, presumably after a large amount of Molson, Canadian engineering students Weicker and Forster decided that the only thing better than a hot tub and a luxury car was a hot tub inside of a luxury car.
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s quote, “Always do sober what you say you’d do drunk,” they created a campus party legend known as the Carpool MK 1.
Fast-forward five years, and they’re showing off their creation at the 2001 Canadian International Auto Show. The Carpool was going over like gangbusters, of course, because science. Weicker and Duncan were approached by representatives from the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), who challenged them to race the MK 1 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Of course, being natural adventurers, Weicker and Forster accepted.
Breakdowns, theft, and bad luck plagued the Canadian’s quest create the MK 1’s predecessor for years, but they never stopped chasing their chlorine and carbon monoxide-fueled dream. Now, after fifteen long years of development, the great white buffalo has returned: The Carpool DeVille.
The Deville is similar in design to the Carpool MK 1, but with improvements made to the pool plumbing, heating, controls, and suspension systems. The interior was removed, and the steering wheel, gauges, and marine-style throttle controls were sealed into the fiberglass tub, coining the world’s first steer-while-you-float system.
The 427-cubic inch V8 remains stock, but serves two purposes: propelling the DeVille forward and heating the water inside to a balmy 102 degrees. The trunk has even been modified to hold the air-ride system, pool filter, pump, and ac-dc converter.
The goal? To finally run the SCTA course at the Bonneville Salt Flats on August 9th, and set the world record for the world’s fastest hot tub. I’m not sure what the current record is, but there’s a pretty good chance it’s zero mph.
You can change that by donating to Weicker and Forster’s Kickstarter campaign, which will cover transportation costs, race fees, and auxiliary equipment. As of this writing, Duncan and Weicker were still $6,798 short of their $10,000 goal.
Come on, world. Let’s make history … luxurious, ridiculous history.
