The automotive world has produced its share of radical thinking, but very few manufacturers have tackled the challenge of producing amphibious cars. However, the Amphicar Model 770 stands out as one of the most successful efforts, with 3,878 vehicles produced during its production life. This 1966 example is a restoration project requiring a new home. There is plenty left for the new owner to do, but with values climbing rapidly, it would seem to be worth the effort. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder RichardinMaine for spotting the Model 770 listed here on Facebook Marketplace in New Gloucester, Maine. The asking price of $29,000 may appear steep, but when we focus on the car’s potential value, it appears justified.

The Amphicar has always left me torn because while I am passionate about classic cars, I have an irrational fear of boats. Basically, anything smaller than the Queen Mary venturing across anything deeper than my bathtub is best avoided! However, some people wish to combine the best of both worlds, and it was against this background that industrial designer Hans Trippel set his mind racing. Best known for his work designing the doors on the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, Trippel developed the Amphicar concept for production by the Quandt Group. Production commenced in 1960, winding down in 1965. However, Quandt had overestimated demand, and cars produced during the final year were given titles reflecting their sale year as the company found buyers for the surplus vehicles. The story behind this 1966 example is slightly vague, and the seller does themself no favors by the lack of decent photos. They confirm that the body has been sandblasted and primed, but there remains plenty for the buyer to do. There is a range of panel imperfections requiring attention, and focusing on rust elimination is crucial if the new owner intends to drive this classic down a boat ramp to undertake nautical adventures. The engine bay sports a coat of Blue paint, although some images suggest that this Model 770 left the factory wearing Fjord Green. It is unclear whether all of the trim and other obvious missing parts are included, although the listing text suggests that this Amphicar may be essentially complete.

Amphicar’s “770” model designation indicated that these classics were capable of hitting 70mph on the open road and 7 knots on the water. The reality proved that both figures were slightly optimistic, but the performance was still reasonable for a car representing such an enormous compromise. The Model 770 derived its power from a rear-mounted 1,147cc four that was sourced from a Triumph Herald. Its 47hp fed to the road via a four-speed manual transaxle, while throwing a lever in the cab sent those ponies to a pair of rear-mounted propellers when the car landed in the water. The front wheels controlled the direction of travel under all circumstances, functioning as rudders when matters turned aquatic. The seller states that this Amphicar’s engine is freshly rebuilt, and it appears that the remaining mechanical components are intact. Therefore, getting this classic moving under its own power may be the least complicated aspect of the restoration.

The seller leaves us flying blind when the subject turns to the car’s interior. Amphicar designed the Model 770 to seat four occupants, with every interior component designed to be hardy and waterproof. That meant that seats sported vinyl covers, the floors wore rubber mats, and the company didn’t typically fit luxury touches like a radio. I can’t spot much interior hardware in the supplied images, although the seller’s reference to the included parts haul suggests that the shopping list might not be long. The saving grace for potential buyers is the ready availability of interior trim components. Therefore, if the deal includes items like the seat frames, a faithful interior restoration should be relatively straightforward.

There is no denying that $29,000 is a lot of money for any project candidate, particularly one requiring as much work as this 1966 Amphicar Model 770. That will leave many readers questioning whether the figure is justified, and, on the face of it, the answer would appear to be yes. These classics consistently sell for prices beyond $60,000, while a perfect restoration can push that price higher. Add the fact that values are climbing faster than the market average, and this quirky classic could also represent an excellent investment. If you love classic cars and boats, would you consider combining both hobbies by giving this Amphicar a new home? It will be fascinating to discover whether we have readers who might consider pursuing it further.