LANDMASTER

The Landmaster is a unique 12-wheeled amphibious articulated vehicle constructed by Dean Jeffries at Jeffries Automotive in Universal City, California for the 1977 science fiction film Damnation Alley. Despite the appearance of two Landmasters in the film (achieved with process photography and models), only one was built at a cost of $350,000 in 1976.($1.4 million in 2010 dollars)

History

A staple of Southern California car culture for many years, the Landmaster was parked in full view next to Dean Jeffries' automotive shop on Cahuenga Boulevard in North Hollywood, California from 1977 to 2005.

The Landmaster was sold to a private owner in 2005 and was restored to its original condition as featured in Damnation Alley. The Landmaster was then on the show car circuit for several years. In 2007 it was featured at the San Francisco Rod & Custom Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California as part of special exhibit with other notable movie and TV cars.

Some time in 2009, the Landmaster was vandalized while in storage. The damage is relatively minor, but repair and restoration is required again.



Type                    Amphibious APC
Place of origin      Studio City, California

Service history

In service             1977—
Used by               film, television, & car shows

Production history

Designer               Dean Jeffries
Manufacturer        Jeffries Automotive
Unit cost              $ 350,000
Produced             1976
Number built        1

Specifications

Weight     23,000 lb (10,000 kg)
Length     35 feet (11 m)
Armor     3/8-inch (1 cm) steel plate

Main

armament       6 autocannon
2 bazookas
Engine                      427-cubic-inch (7.00 L)
Transmission             5-speed Allison
Suspension              12-wheel tri-star
Ground clearance     2 feet (0.61 m)
Speed                  55 mph (89 km/h)
Steeringsystem     hydraulic rams