Amphibious vehicles have been around since the 1700s, starting with horse-drawn wagons that could tolerate water. The first self-propelled boat-car was the Orukter Amphibolos, a steam-powered wagon invented in 1805. In the 1870s, logging companies used amphibious tugs to haul logs to lakes and rivers. But it was really WWII that kindled amphibious vehicle development. And Hans Trippel, born in Germany in 1908, was at the center of the phenomenon. Fascinated with amphibious vehicles, Trippel designed the SG 6 in 1935 with a boat-like hull, a six-cylinder engine, and propellers. Originally meant for recreation, the SG 6 was adapted for wartime use. By 1941, Volkswagen was making its own Schwimmwagen, Ford made the “Sea Jeep”, and a host of companies made amphibious tanks. The war ended, but Trippel wasn’t done. He designed the Amphicar in 1960. Manufactured by the Quandt Group, the Amphicar was sold starting in 1961. Production petered out from 1963 to 1965. Cars sat on the proverbial shelf until buyers could be found, with titling occurring when units went out the door. Only 3878 examples were made. This 1967 Amphicar project is listed here on eBay in a no-reserve auction with a single bid at $26k. The selling dealer indicates he was asking $36k, but interest has been slack thus far. The car is located in Woodstock, California.
Powered by the Triumph Herald 1147 cc four-cylinder engine, the Amphicar ambles up to 60 mph in over 40 seconds on land. Its top speed is 70 mph. The transmission drives the front wheels. When entering the water, move the primary gear lever into neutral and engage the smaller floor-mounted lever to move forward or backward. The front wheels are your rudders. The propeller is located under the rear bumper (thus the car’s “tip-toe” stance on land – for clearance). Mind that bilge pump plug! Water speed is about 7 knots. Though this engine turns freely, a slipping clutch prompted a prior owner to remove parts in order to fix the little beast – thus, it doesn’t run.
The interior features bench seats with storage underneath the rear seat for implements, lines, etc. The seller notes some evidence of an older restoration, but the car now needs at least mild cosmetic spiffing. A Moto-Meter speedometer flips the optimistic “80” and “90” mph readings backwards. The glass is decent, and the convertible top is usable. The steering wheel was made by the same company that supplied VW in the era, but bears a depiction of the gates of the City of Lübeck on its horn button, one of the two Amphicar assembly locations.
The propeller can barely be seen to the far right behind the rear wheel here. Marine-going details include the port and starboard navigation lamp on the bonnet, a nautical horn just in front of the windshield, and lower inside door latches to keep the water out. Every time an Amphicar emerges from the water, it must be re-greased in at least 13 places. Rinsing the hull after each swim goes without saying. Amphicars have two price tiers: auction prices influenced by certain substances producing euphoria and one-upsmanship , and “normal” environments. Sending a nice example to auction can produce a stunning result – witness this 1964 Amphicar sold by Barrett-Jackson for $154,000 in January. Or you could pay 1/3 that price for a perfectly acceptable ’62. What do you think – would you ever own an Amphicar?
Owner: “I just spent $40k on a 60 year old car!”
Some Guy: “What are you gonna do with it?”
Owner: “I’m going to drive it into a lake…”
I bought one in 2002 from the now deceased Captain John near Denver, Aqua, 1966, non running, very little rust If at all, took it swimming 3 months later with no welding what so ever. Got it for $13K! Still have this one. Marc
Wasn’t there a post on here several months back where someone a few of these in various stages of disrepair for a lot cheaper than the asking price here? In my brain I may be getting it mixed up with a post about a group of those little Nash wind up toy looking cars but I do remember somewhere there was a package deal of these things for sale.
I believe that every boatcar is a project !
A mistake in the write-up. The transmission drives the rear wheels, not the front.
Thanks for the correction, you are right!
Its listed as right-hand drive? And Michelle it is not in California, but in Connecticut.
This listing was ended by the seller on Fri, Oct 10 at 4:25 PM because there was an error in the listing.
Lotsa bux for one that doesn’t run. Always liked these things though.
I’m surprised so few were made.
We had a couple in the 1000 Islands . They were a good solution for Island living , no need to have a parking place on shore for your car , or a dock for your boat.
Run out of milk? Just drive off your Island , boat to shore and drive to town !
The neighbor had one when I was teenager in the late 60’s they would go out to Lake Winnebago and drive it (sail?) onto the one of the sand bars and yell for help. The reactions from onlookers was hilarious.
That sounds like something I’d do!! Too funny.
Barn Finds: You are ‘Calling it in’. You ran this Thursday or so and it was ended! Still ended! Y’all on vacation over there? I showed it ended Friday.
These would be great candidates for reproduction fiberglass bodies…
There is one Amphicar with famous owner provenance, but I don’t know where it is: LBJ had one and it is said that he would take guests for a drive around his ranch and then head for the lake to enjoy their screams and concerns as he motored in to the water. The photo is an example of the perfect use for an Amphicar, a dinghy on a barge, in this case on the Seine river.
I saw one of these on lake Winnipesaukee about 30 years ago in Meredith Bay. It attracted a lot of attention. When I watched it coming to the boat ramp it looked like it could take on water pretty easily at the doors. It looked like a small wave would just go right over the doors. It was pretty interesting and comical watching it go up the boat ramp.
“This listing was ended by the seller on Fri, Oct 10 at 4:25 PM because there was an error in the listing.”