Page 48 - Experience Magazine Spring 2023

CROSSING THE BLOCK
CROSSING THE BLOCK

MEET THE AMPHICAR 770
CARS THAT SWIM

Is it a car? Is it a boat? One legendary classic is both. Volkswagen Beetles, while the "water transmission"
Meet the Amphicar, the only civilian amphibious offers two gears: forward or reverse. In the water, the
passenger automobile to be mass-produced. Built Amphicar is moved by its twin nylon propellers, while
from 1961 to 1968 in Germany, 3,878 Amphicars were the front wheels act as rudders to "steer" the car in the
produced. Of those, 3,046 were imported into the desired direction.
United States between 1961 and 1967. In terms of performance, the Amphicar has a top
As a result of Ralph Nader’s best-selling book, Unsafe at speed of 7 mph (or 6 knots) on water and 70 mph on
Any Speed, the U.S. government created the Department land, from which its "Model 770" name is derived.
of Transportation which, together with the EPA, put into Members of the International Amphicar Owners Club
effect many new safety regulations beginning with the affectionately refer to it as "the fastest car on the water
1968-model-year vehicles. Regulations included padded and fastest boat on the road."
instrument panels and breakaway inside mirrors, and all One of the most famous Amphicar owners was former
vehicles had to survive a 30 mph crash into a concrete U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who liked to prank
barrier, demonstrating survivability of standardized unsuspecting guests. In a 1965 profile of the president,
test dummies in the front seats. As a result, the 1968 journalist Robert Sempler wrote: “The scenario is
Amphicar could not be directly imported into the United familiar now. Unsuspecting guest is lured into Amphicar.
States. At the time, America accounted for about 90% President says they’re going for a little spin. President
of all Amphicar sales, and the change in regulations heads for water. Guest cries, ‘Hey, you’re going into the
led to significant financial distress for the Amphicar water!’ President flips a lever that locks doors, prevents
Corporation. The German factory was permanently leakage. Car hits water with a whoosh. Guest gasps, then
closed in 1968. realizes he isn’t sinking. Color returns to face, and he and
The Amphicar's ability to travel on land and water is President go putt-putting along at about 5 knots.”
what makes it so unique. It's a head-turner, for sure. The Amphicar was only ever offered as a convertible,
The Amphicar was uniquely engineered for the task and only four color options were available: Beach Sand
by placing the engine at the vehicle's rear. Similar to a White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue and Fjord Green. When
boat, this was done to ensure the weight of the engine the Amphicar was new, it sold for approximately $2,800.
would not cause the front of the car to be dragged Currently, the highest-selling Amphicar at an auction
down under water. was a 1965 model that crossed the Barrett-Jackson Palm

Power is supplied by a 4-cylinder British-built Triumph Beach block in April 2022 for $161,700.
Herald engine rated to produce 43 horsepower and Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach Auction provides not only
is connected to a special two-part land-and-water the opportunity to see an Amphicar up close, but also
transmission built by Hermes, known for producing the prospect of taking one to the Atlantic Ocean or Lake
the Porsche transmission. The transmission allows the Worth with the winning bid. The 2023 Palm Beach
wheels and propellers to operate independently or Auction will be held April 13-15 at the South Florida
simultaneously. The "land transmission" is a 4-speed- Fairgrounds. Enjoy this selection of Amphicars, each
plus-reverse unit similar to those found in classic
selling with No Reserve.

48 BARRETT -JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2023
48 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2023