Summary

This Amphicar was purchased by a Michigan family for $50 in 1965. They owned it over 40 years before selling it to the current owner in 2008. It was completely restored prior to being purchased by the current owner. Numbers matching. 100% sea worthy.

Details

Amphicar is an amphibious automobile, the only such vehicle mass-produced for sale to the public. The German vehicle was designed by Hanns Trippel and manufactured by the Quandt Group. It features its original Triumph 4 cylinder 1147cc engine. Many engines were tried in prototypes but the Triumph engine was 'state of the art' in 1961 and had the necessary combination of performance, weight, cool running and reliability. The Amphicar engine had a power output of 43hp at 4750rpm slightly more than the Triumph Herald due to a shorter exhaust. Called the Model 770, the Amphicar could achieve speeds of 7 knots in the water and 70mph on land. Production started in 1961. Total production was 3,878 vehicles before the company folded in 1968. Although underpowered by modern standards, a well-maintained Amphicar can be an agile and pleasant vehicle to drive on both land and water. The fact that such a high proportion have survived nearly 50 years is a testament to their high initial production quality and to the lengths to which many owners will go in order to maintain and restore these vehicles. This car was purchased by a Michigan family for $50 in 1965. They owned it for over 40 years before selling it to the current owner in 2008. It was restored prior to being purchased by the current owner, but the current owner has done some minor restoration in the past year. The owner has used it sparingly, but has driven it a number of times in a lake in CT. Drives well both on land and 'sea.' This is a complete matching numbers example, kept in a heated, humidity-controlled garage. This car boat is a blast to drive.