Special Agent Oddwick recently enjoyed an Amphicar sighting in Florida, although he didn't fully realize it at the time. Instead, he reported seeing a "boat/car thingy" and noted that he didn't believe the propellers were functional.
He was right about the boat/car thingy part, but wrong about the props. They were indeed very functional. That's because Agent Oddwick had captured a rare contemporary photograph of an Amphicar in the wild. And what's an Amphicar? The International Amphicar Owners Club has prepared an executive summary:
The Amphicar was built in Germany from 1961 to 1968. Total production was 3,878 vehicles. The Amphicar is the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass produced. 3,046 Amphicars were imported into the United States between 1961 and 1967. The Amphicar is rear engined and uses a 4 cylinder British-built Triumph Herald motor producing 43hp. All Amphicars are convertibles, and the civilian models were originally offered in only 4 colors: Beach White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue and Fjord Green (Aqua). [...]
The Amphicar has a top speed of 7mph on water and 70mph on land. Hence, it was dubbed the "Model 770". The Amphicar is moved in the water by its twin nylon propellers. A special two-part land-and-water transmission built by Hermes (makers of the Porsche transmission) allows the wheels and propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously. The "land transmission" is a 4-speed-plus-reverse unit similar to those found in the old Volkswagen Beetles. The "water transmission" is a 2-speed offering unique to the Amphicar featuring single forward and reverse gears. In the water, the front wheels act as rudders.
When new the Amphicar sold for between $2,800 and $3,300, depending on the year.
Amphicars have crossed the English Channel in 20' seas and traversed the Yukon. In Berlin, the police used a few as search and rescue vehicles. Buyers could order the vehicle with a built-in shower that ran off the bilge pump, and it seems the manufacturer also offered an amphibious camper trailer. Apparently, it's even possible to water ski behind one. Slowly.
Having an Amphicar fantasy? No need to be ashamed. We have them too. But dreams seldom come cheap. A fully restored Amphicar can today fetch upwards of $30,000.
Funny that I should read this about three minutes after I saw this pic on Flickr...
Posted by: Vidiot | 09 April 2007 at 08:17 AM
Don't miss the upcoming International Amphicar Festival this July in Celina, OH -- just a piece down the road from where my ancestors first infested these United States.
NPR did a radio segment on the festival in 2005.
Posted by: eck | 09 April 2007 at 11:35 AM
can you tell me some one have one in puerto rico i will love to see one thank you.
Posted by: johnny vargas | 06 May 2009 at 08:50 PM
This would have came in handy when i accidently drove my car into the lake. i gotat bui for that one not a dui go figure
Posted by: Shower Stalls | 14 January 2010 at 03:16 PM