When it comes to the world of classic cars there are some cars that have a very broad appeal, and there are cars that really cater for a more specific taste. This 1964 Amphicar probably fits into the latter category. Listed for sale here on eBay, it is located in Costa Mesa, California. The car has a clear title and the seller has set a BIN price of $89,000, but there is the option to submit an offer.
The Amphicar is a vehicle that is quite a surprise packet. Given how it remained an obscure little car for decades, it is amazing to think that 3,878 of these were built. This one underwent what appears to have been quite a meticulous restoration a few years ago. Reading the description in the advertisement indicates that the seller left no stone unturned on this car. After getting the body perfect it was refinished in the original Fjord Green color. The attention to detail extends to having the entire interior of the body coated with LineX to improve durability. The seller also emphasizes that the Amphicar has only ever been used in fresh water, and that he has never taken it near salt water.
Look at that engine. You could honestly eat off it. The Amphicar was powered by the 1,147cc Triumph Herald 4-cylinder engine. It was chosen during the original design and construction because at that time it was considered to be “state of the art,” although given the vehicle’s aquatic abilities I would think that “state of the ark” is probably more appropriate today. This engine has been treated to a rebuild which has included a more aggressive camshaft and an aluminum intake manifold sporting a 2-barrel Weber carburetor. The seller describes the car as quite a sprightly performer. The seller has also made numerous other upgrades to both improve reliability and make maintenance a much easier task. This attention to detail even extends to the brakes on this car. The owner has had all of the wheel cylinders re-sleeved in stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
It’s amazing to consider that even though this Amphicar is finished in its original external color, the interior was originally trimmed in apricot colored vinyl. The owner has remedied this by having the interior finished in marine vinyl which matches the exterior color. It looks to be an absolutely first-rate job, as befits all of the other restoration work on the car. The electrical system has also received an upgrade, but everything still functions exactly as it did originally.
As I said at the start of this article, the Amphicar is the type of vehicle that will appeal to a specific type of person. It most certainly isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and at $89,000 it isn’t cheap either. Having said that, prices on these vary enormously. I’ve found one for sale for $40,000, and from there the prices just keep rising all the way to $125,000! I think that this is one of those rare cases where the price is actually irrelevant. This car will sell to the right person when they come along, and the price simply won’t be the deciding factor for that person.
I never cared for these although I know they have a following. IMO, that’s why they make boats. I know a few parents who despite owning boats have not felt the need to teach their children how to swim, but put a life preserver on them before their boats ever go in the water. I would think these are more prone to spontaneously break down in the water or sink. While the picture may be staged and it appears the car is close to land, seeing those two children in the vehicle without life preservers makes me cringe.
I agree, RD, I’ve seen a lot of that, ads showing people boating or canoeing and no life jackets.. Fact is whenever I see people in these contraptions, I never see them wearing life jackets. It must be a false sense of security, being in a car. Wouldn’t catch me on the water in a craft with doors and powered by a Triumph motor,,,
‘Fjord Green’ well, they nailed the color! Jeez, I am a canoe kind of guy, but if I had that kind of cabbage to toss around, I think I would buy a duck. Be much safer and haul a pile of friends. And some bow bunnies.
Bow bunnies? Lol. Have to be some little people to fit on this puppy. Beautiful color. I just dont see someone spending twice the median family’s income, more or less, on what is granted, a beautiful restoration of a unique vehicle. But then I’m usually wrong when it comes to how much money folks will pay for this and that. BTW check out the Messerschmidt? next to the Amphicar in the garage pix.
I could buy many crappy cars and crappy boats for the price of this, which is both.
I think these are cool little vehicles, but I have had enough exposure to them on reality shows the last year or so to know I never want to own one.
They just had a get together for these about 50 miles north of me on Grand Lake St. Mary’s in Celina Ohio about a month ago. I think there were about a hundred of them show up.
It was pretty cool seeing them all out on the water however, I watched it from the shore. It’s a neat concept but, I’ve heard people say it’s a lousy car that makes an even worse boat.
And,as an owner of one once said,
“It does both things equally bad”……
I have rode in one when they were new, it was cool for a kid but yes I never would pay 89K for one no matter how nice of a condition it’s in.
And,as an owner of one once said,
“It does both things equally bad”……
A local radio station in Nanticoke, PA had one in the 1960’s. I wonder whatever happened to this one.
Like most, it probably rusted to pieces and sank like a stone.
And to think that at one time all of these cars in the world probably were not worth $89,000 in total. The standard BF refrain applies here- “If I’m dropping $89,000 it wouldn’t be on this!” I, for, one would much rather have that Austin-Healey that looked like it landed on Mars sans parachute.
Pretty tough to look cool in one of these.
Good luck restoring one for this price.
Why would you bother?
I followed one( ok not into the water) into a pond in east brookfield , it was a red one, being good or bad didnt really matter as this thing was cool from the street to the water, no stopping, wow that was something. But for my 89 grand , couldnt i build one for 10? Or less?
There’s a guy here in Melbourne, FL who is an entrepreneur’s entrepreneur who had always wanted an Amphicar but was put off by the price of even a basket case. His answer? Build one out of something else. He used a Geo Metro station wagon and created a floating, swimming, driving amphibious vehicle. He took many photos during the build and eventually published a book on how it was built, right down to individual welds. His last name is Roehrig and you can probably find his book on line somewhere. Now, about finding that Geo station wagon, hmmm, maybe not so easy.
here’s a cool pic of an invasion of these…found on google image search,
I would love a large poster of this..!!
really cool vehicle concept, but they have a preceding reputation,
that sounds kinda off- putting.?…I guess they don’t “float my boat”…. LOL
Anyone who wants to experience an Amphicar ride with out buying one can visit Disney Springs in FL. They offer rides in restored ones, and yes there’s an emergency recovery boat at the waiting!
I posted some pics here at BF on my visit to Disney Springs this past April. Great setup they have for these down there.
https://barnfinds.com/fish-out-of-water-amphicar-770/
Reminds me of those old pick-ups made from cars…not a good pick-up or a car. This is neither a good boat nor a good car.
Madmatt that is one very cool picture!!
I had to make it smaller to get it on B/F..,
it was much larger…!That was one crazy day on
the water somewhere…,I wonder if they all made it to shore..!
Like…..
one of the most useless things ever made
One of our neighbors in Salem, NH had one of these, brand new. He lived on the lake and had a driveway built so he could launch off of his front lawn. The town didn’t like the idea since the lake was our drinking water supply but he jus pointed to a spot about 1500 feet away where the local amusement park launched their “duck”. The town shut up. About eight or nine years ago I purchased a Morris Minor from a gentleman in NH who, at the time, had 40 of these. Some were in good swimming condition, some parts cars. Do the math, that’s more than 1% of the total production. One had even been stretched about 3 or 4 feet. His kid called it the amphizine and it had a teak engine cover. It had some water intrusion problems that they were working on. The July/August issue of Old Cars Report price guide shows $2640 for a parts car through $66000 for a number one concours model. with their #3 “very good” ones at $29700. This one is, quite obviously, way beyond the top end of that scale with its improvements and someone with the money will want it.
My parents lived close to the Windham side of that lake and I always thought it was strange to see motor boats on that lake but you weren’t allowed to swim it it.
I guess the human body is more hazardous.