History of Four Wheel Driving

Do you often look at your truck and go, “She’s an absolute marvel!”? Well, if you did then you’d be right. The Aussie favourite, the 4WD, is one of the most powerful commercial cars both on and off the road – and has been for many years. But just how far back does her history go? Today we take you on a journey to uncover the roots of the four wheel drive, and just how we got so addicted to off-roading.

Just what is classified as a four wheel drive?

Typically, when we’re talking about a four wheel drive vehicle, we’re referring to a vehicle that receives power from the engine to each of its four wheels. With regular vehicles, you usually have power to just two wheels – either the two in the front, or the two in the back. 4WDs are optimised for driving in off-road conditions.

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Who invented the 4WD?

1893 – the 4WD system

Way back in 1893, even before regular cars were even a thing, an engineer by the name of Bramah Joseph Diplock put a patent on a system for a 4×4 system that would work with a type of steam engine. This evolved into a “pedrail wheel” system that was born into production. Both of these machine types were for not passenger transport vehicles, however.

1898 – the 4WD hybrid passenger automobile

You think electric cars are a new invention? Think again. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche (yes, that is the founder of the Porsche name that we all recognise today), debuted a 4×4 dubbed the “System Lohner-Porsch”, which drove each wheel with electric motors. The car was in production for just 8 years, because although it was a very effective vehicle, the costs associated with purchasing and running it were just too high.

1903 – the 6 cylinder 4WD car

A joint effort from Belgian Joseph Valentin Laviolette and German Jacobus Spijker, the Spyker 60 HP, was built in 1903, with a model designed specifically to compete in the Paris to Madrid race. The race-built car featured a 4WD system and the world’s first 6 cylinder engine. Unfortunately the car wasn’t ready in time to compete.

1905 – the 4WD comes to America

Not to be outdone by their European counterparts, in 1905 engineers from the Twyford Company launched a 4WD truck.

1908 – 4WDs for the military

In 1908, the US Four-Wheel-Drive company puts into production their own range of 4WD trucks that became military vehicles for both the US and UK armies throughout the first world war.

1938 – the civilian 4WD

The GAZ-61, made by GAZ, a USSR company shapes the first enclosed-body civilian use 4WD – the foundations of the modern passenger 4WD.

1948 – the birth of Jeep and Land Rover, and hobbyist off-roading

Both Willys (later Jeep), and Land Rover 4WDs are unveiled. These two brand names are now synonymous with 4WDs across the world. The vehicles left over after the second world war was also the birth of off-road driving for recreational activities, and since the cars were so popular, continued in production for civilians.

Australian Four Wheel Driving History

1907 – Australian 4WD history is born

Us Aussies weren’t much behind the ball either. In just 1907, South Australians Felix Caldwell and Norman Laurie Caldwell patented a 4WD system for trucks.

1936 – Ford Australia’s first 4WD

While Ford had a branch in Australia since 1909, 1936 saw the first Australian production of Ford’s initial 4WD offering – a truck.

1958 – passenger 4WDs arrive in Australia

Way back in 1958, we had the first lot of 4WDs arrive in Aus – specifically 13 Land Cruisers, made by Toyota. The next year, imported Land Cruisers were on sale in Australia.

1971 – Ford’s got a 4WD ute

The release of the Ford Falcon XY ute 4WD in Australia signals the start of production of civilian 4WDs in Australia.

1971 – off road racing in Australia is born

In the desert outside of Mildura, the first Australian off road race takes place – Sunraysia 250 Desert Race.

1971 – Now

4WDs and four wheel driving in general come along in leaps and bounds. Even though production of cars in Australia has ceased, we’re seeing more and more 4WDs on the road than ever before, and some truly amazing and beautiful 4WD tracks and races for off-roading all around the country.