Some enthusiasts follow a well-worn path with their project build, while others march to a very different drummer to create something genuinely unique. This 1995 Chevrolet S-10 is a perfect example of the latter, with the seller ditching its steel body in favor of a fiberglass boat shell. It has generated a surprising amount of interest, suggesting that plenty of people crave a vehicle that will stand out in a crowd. The seller has listed the Boatcar here on eBay in Roswell, Georgia. Thirty-two bids have pushed the price beyond the reserve to $20,600.
Okay, we probably need to clarify a couple of points before diving deep into this classic. The first is that it is street-legal and is regularly used for weekend outings. The second is that its amphibious abilities are no better than you might expect from a standard 1995 S-10 Pickup. Drive this baby down a bot ramp and it will perform a passable impression of the Titanic, minus Jack and Rose. It isn’t the first such vehicle produced by the seller, meaning that they have experience with such builds. They grafted a 23-foot Ebbtide Cruiser shell onto the frame and mechanical components onto a Chevrolet S-10 frame and drivetrain, creating a genuinely unique vehicle. The finish is quite impressive, with no evidence of shortcuts or other problems. Body rust will never be an issue, and the seller doesn’t mention frame shortcomings. The fiberglass is in good order, and the vehicle features lights and other equipment that ensures it complies with legislative requirements. My only qualm would be maneuvering this classic because there is an enormous distance between the driver’s seat and the prow. If it doesn’t already have one, I would probably install a small camera to reduce the possibility of bumps or other problems.
This classic’s custom touches don’t extend beyond the cosmetic, with the body draped over a standard 1995 Chevrolet S-10 frame and drivetrain. It derives its power from a 4.3-liter V6, with shifting duties performed by a four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 should produce around 190hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque, and since the fiberglass might be lighter than the original steel, performance may be better than the figures quoted by Chevrolet. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition. It runs and drives well, with the seller using it for weekend outings and trips to shows. There’s a good chance that if the winning bidder follows the same path, they might walk away from a few shows with a healthy collection of silverware.
The seller integrates as much of the donor S-10’s interior trim as possible into the Boatcar for an easy build. It features the correct seats, dash, and controls. Many surfaces sport matching carpet that integrates everything nicely, and the only question mark hangs over what the slipcovers are hiding. There may not be any problems, because the covers look like waterproof ones that are a wise investment due to the vehicle’s lack of weather protection. There is no cracked or broken plastic, but there is one further ace up this Boatcar’s sleeve. The seller says it will accommodate a pair of rear jump seats to allow four people to enjoy the motoring experience. However, with these removed, the area can be filled with ice and drinks to create the ultimate party machine.
Words almost fail me whenever I look at the seller’s images of this 1995 Chevrolet S-10 Boatcar. The bidding action has been impressive, and with forty-four people adding it to their Watch List, it may intensify as the end draws near. It will undoubtedly divide opinions among Barn Finds readers, but is this a custom classic that you would be tempted to pursue further?
Doesn’t float, eh? Well, we’ll see about that,,oh, oh, bail, no not that kind of bail. Novelty vehicles are always fun,,,for the person that made it. Rarely does that transfer over into regular life. I fear the same may be true with this,,um, creation. If attention is your thing, you’ll get plenty here, I’d have to think parallel parking might be tough. Even I can’t dispute the number of bids, and apparently at least 32 folks literally have $20gs laying around to include such a frivolous purchase. USA, USA,,
There are currently 32 bids from 6 bidders.
The reserve hasn’t been met as of 11:35am PST and still stands at $20,600. The seller might be wise to consider taking the money and run.
Steve R
Wonder how many skiers it can pull??
Great for merging
Yes 32 bids, but the reserve has not been met.
20K with reserve not met for an old S-10 with a boat on top, you’ll already be underwater before you get it home and park it in the garage…
Will it even fit in most garages, it’s 23 feet long.
Steve R
My garage is 40×40, so no problems here, but average house garages are 26 to 28 feet deep. It will fit with room to spare.
4400# for the boat before Frankenstein got ahold of it
The S-10 was about 3000#
Let’s just agree it heavy.
AND the reserve should have been met many $$ ago…
The fancy mirrors are what’s driving the price up.
Ha! I saw that too. Look pretty useless to me.
No 5 mph bumper on this baby!
Parking was the first thing that I thought of when I saw this; not to mention judging the distance of the vehicle in front of you at a stop! :-)
Truly one of a kind.
SpongeBob, your ride has arrived!
I can imagine thinking “Heck, why not make a streetable boat?” But my good sense would stop me before that smell of sawn fiberglass wafted up my nose. Once that happens and you start hallucinating from the affects, well, we see what happens.
You CAN resist it men, after all, are we not Men??
So, how much Gorilla Glue do you suppose this project took?
We have a guy who combined a Honda motorcycle and a Jet Ski, tells me it has a lower center of gravity and he gets a lot of comments…but alas, no girls…
why? i doubt it pass a safety inspection. 20k and they still want more? i don’t think so.
LS swap?
This seller in Roswell, GA is really cranking these boat cars out.
I think this is the third one we’ve seen here on BF from them.
I live about 30 miles from there and have not seen one on the road and I am not too disappointed about that.
At 55MPH, the front wheels should start to lift.
What a boat.
Sold $21k.
How did I miss those sweet side view mirrors?! Now I can’t unsee them!
Wow! Talk about a wild build!! Practical for daily driver, probably not. Designed for people with more money than brains. I wonder what the history of the S-10 it donated for it?
I bet it rattles as hell, when driven.
Sold for $21,000.00
Well, i guess the high bidder did not pay. It is for sale and listed on Ebay again.
I’m not surprised, The bidder must have sobered up and realized what they had done.