The driving and swimming Amphicar is one of the most unusual entries in automotive history. The amphibious car was built in Germany for just seven years, from 1961 to 1968. Despite a small output of about 3,900 units, the Amphicar has a devoted following around the world.
The export-model 1964 Amphicar 770 recently sold in Westhampton, N.Y. has just 841 miles on the odometer. It’s an impeccable example that had a corresponding Buy-It-Now price of $140,000.
A Straightforward Design
The avocado and white interior look brand new.
Amphicars are mainly used for novelty runs. They are loads of fun but neither excellent boats nor stellar cars. Lyndon Johnson reportedly scared visitors to his Texas ranch by “accidentally” driving into the lake.
The car on eBay is absolutely pristine. It’s in one of the four factory colors, Beach Sand White, with an appealing two-tone avocado and white interior. The restoration likely has refreshed the seals that are vital to making the Amphicar ready to plunge into a river or pond. Rough seas are not recommended. The Triumph motor looks brand new, and all the hard-to-find accessories are in place.
The manufacturer was the Quandt Group, with a design by Hans Trippel influenced by the World War II Swimmwagen. Mechanically, Amphicars are straightforward. Although it’s German, the mechanics are mostly taken from Great Britain’s four-cylinder Triumph Herald. The electrics came from Lucas in Britain and Bosch in Germany.
Front-Wheel Rudders
An example of an Amphicar in the water
Twin nylon propellors moved the Amphicar in the water at a maximum of seven miles per hour. Changing direction requires a lot of open water. As on land, it works by turning the steering wheel. The front wheels act as rudders, in theory.
On land, the Amphicar was capable of 70 mph, though it was a brave owner who drove one at that speed. On the ground, there were four forward gears and one for reverse. The transmission is similar to what you see on a VW Beetle.
The Amphicar carries navigation lights as required by the Coast Guard. Owners should grease 13 fittings after each use.
Fun and Highly Collectible
eBay sells replacement Amphicar Propellers.
Today, the Amphicar is a sought-after collectible. It’s the most recognizable of the automotive amphibians.
The Amphicar appeared in such cinematic wonders as Factotum, The Laughing Woman, The President’s Analyst, Inspector Clouseau, Savannah Smiles, and Pontiac Moon.
eBay has plenty of Amphicar parts, with original seat fabric and even one of those nylon propellors. The International Amphicar Owners Club says there are 500 still on the road (and in the water) and more than 300 in the US.
The Amphicar has earned its share of dubious distinctions. For example, it’s the cover car for The World’s Worst Cars, a British book that came out in 2005. Author Craig Cheetham wrote:
Many sprang leaks and sank when corrosion took hold. On tarmac, the upright body made the handling perilous, while on water the gasoline engine was prone to seizure through water ingress.
But the gorgeous Amphicar specimen that was offered on eBay appears to have corrected those issues. It’s hard to imagine there’s a better example available anywhere—on land or sea.
