The Amphicar was an odd duck (if you’ll pardon the pun), being part car and part boat. It was designed as an amphibious vehicle capable of 70 mph on land and 7 knots in the water. Production ran in West Germany from 1960 to 1965, with sales continuing into 1968. The seller’s red, white, and blue project is a one-family “car” purchased by “Dad” in either 1966 or 1967 (the seller refers to both). Located in Des Moines, Washington (not Iowa), this Amphicar is available here on eBay, where $5,800 is below the seller’s reserve.
Though sales were expected to top 25,000 units, the manufacturer (Quandt Group) stopped making the Amphicar 770 at 3,878 copies. We suspect that either the desired demand never materialized or the project ran out of funds. There seems to be no references online as to what the 770-designation stood for. To pass U.S. Coast Guard standards, each Amphicar came with navigation lights and flags (just like a boat).
Propulsion was courtesy of 4-cylinder engines provided by Triumph. Displacement ranged from 1147cc to 1493cc depending on where in the production cycle. Horsepower topped out a 75, and the larger of these engines may be what’s in the seller’s machine. Like most boats, the motor was mounted in the back (paired here with a 4-speed manual).
The seller provides few details about this later Amphicar. Apparently, it was used as a demo back in the day, which explains the triple color scheme (like a U.S. flag). Only 16,000 miles have been accumulated, as we’re told it was dormant most of the time, and does not run now. As a side note, lore has it that U.S. President Lyndon Johnson owned one and would play tricks on people by heading to the nearest body of water at full speed, hollering, “No brakes”!
770
7 knots on water and 70 mph on land
Ive seen a few of them around at various car shows and was lucky to get a ride in one. Surprisingly it handled quite well in calm water. I wouldn’t want to be on the water if it was choppy lol. The owner told me that he had to rebuild it several times. Not sure if it was due to corrosion issues or mechanical
Loved these as a small child. I remember my dad pointing at a car and telling me “watch it go in the water.” I was amazed that it floated and also that somehow my dad magically knew it was going into the water.
The Amphicar only came from the factory with the 1147 cc engine. The later Spitfire 1296 or 1493 can be easily fitted, but this was an owner upgrade.
Cool. $9,100 now with lots of time left. Reserve still not met.
These were a neat toy. Obviously prone to rust badly. There were several around Des Moines Iowa. They would drive into the lake goung about 25 MPH. I suspect this shortened their life too.
They must of made a pile of these and the servivel rate must be high, this is the third one in as many weeks.
Wikipedia says 3878 were built. There have been 15 featured on Barn Finds since 2020, but eight of them have been this year.
The last Amphicar was seen here around two weeks back, in much worse condition and it was a no sale at a ridiculous price, remember?
The WN 291? ? is probably what is left of the watercraft license number. You can see where there were 2 or 3 missing numbers or letters in that sequence. I’ve seen the, on lakes before, and there is an annual meeting in Celina, Ohio every year. They also have a collectors club at https://www.amphicar.com/
770. Do you feel a bit sheepish Russ? 😏
No worries. No one hits all the marks.
Fun fact: While Des Moines Iowa is pronounced “ da moyn”, here in Washington it’s pronounced “da moynes”. Not sure what you’re going to do with that tidbit.
These are so cool. Wanted one since I was a kid.
The WN 291? ? was probably the watercraft registration number, and at least 2 or 3 blank spots are visible that contained numbers and/or letters. There is a big Amphicar meet in Celina, Ohio every year. For more information, here is the link: amphicar.com: Official Website of the IAOC
No longer available.
“This listing was ended by the seller on Mon, Aug 4 at 7:04 PM because the item is no longer available.”
Oh look! It’s a terrible car and a crappy boat all rolled into one.
Never understood the fanbase for these. Other than the novelty of driving down a boat ramp and meandering away at a brisk 7knots, (best case scenario) I don’t get it.
I had am Amphicar in 1965. Bought it in Georgia near Ft Benning where I was stationed. Took it into the Chattahoochee River twice. Towed it home behind my 1963 Ford Galaxie. Got buried in snow in Flagstaff. The big Ford towed it down off that mountain passing cars and trucks that were stranded alongside the Highway. I used that car as an everyday driver. Took it to my friend’s wedding at Lake Merritt in Oakland. Had to take a few guests out into the Lake. Ran it around Lake Berryessa a couple of times. The only dangerous time I can recall were the people on the Freeway who wanted to get a better look at it. I thought it was a wonderful fun car.