Car Spot: 1960s Amphicar

A car that could swim …

I love spots like this because the Amphicar is certainly not a car, er boat, you see every day. Matter of fact, it’s not really a car, well not a really good one, and not really a good boat either.

What it is, is fun! I spotted this one at a car show in Green Bay hosted by the Automobile Gallery there run by my buddy Darrel Burnett.

Made in Germany from 1961 to ’65 it was “launched,” pardon the pun, at the 1961 New York Auto Show. It was aptly named the Model 770 because it has a top speed of 7 MPH on water and 70 MPH on land. It’s powered by a 4-cylinder British-built Triumph Herald engine producing just 43 horsepower. On land the transmission is a 4-speed-plus-reverse unit similar to those found in the old Volkswagen Beetles. In the water it’s powered by twin nylon propellers mated to a special two-part land-and-water transmission allowing the wheels and propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously.

The water transmission is a 2-speed offering unique to the Amphicar featuring single forward and reverse gears. In the water, the front wheels act as rudders. The Amphicar’s electrics are a Lucas 12-volt positive ground system with items such as the horn, lighting, and switches made by other manufacturers such as Hella and Bosch. Amphicar offered four color options, Beach Sand White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, and Fjord Green.

These Amphicars were not a lot of money, selling for between $2,800, and $3,300, about $28,500 in 2023 dollars, and depending on the year when new.

Because of its dual use, it required a lot of looking after. The cars … err boats leaked, leading to rust. Plus, get this, after getting out of the water the Amphicar required greasing at 13 points, one of which required removal of the rear seat.

Even though they ride low in the water, Amphicars are quite seaworthy. In 1965, in a publicity stunt, a pair of them crossed the English Channel, facing 20-foot waves and force six gale winds. That same year two other Amphicars successfully navigated Alaska’s Yukon River.

I never thought former US President Lyndon B. Johnson was a funny guy, but apparently he had a sense of humor. He owned a Amphicar and would take unsuspecting guests for a spin with them not knowing the car could swim. So, the President heads for water. Guest wigs out, “Hey, you’re going into the water!” Car hits water, guest gasps, then realizes he isn’t sinking, President gets a good laugh and they both go for a cruise.

This is one of the rare car spots where I actually got to ride in the car. Not this exact car, but years ago when I was working in TV in Green Bay, Wis., I found one at Kelly Lake, about an hour northwest. I did the same LBJ thing, sort of, with the owner. It was fun and I shared that on TV. This is a car like the VW Bug or Nissan Figaro where people see them and smile. It wasn’t fast or flashy, but fun!

RELATED Video: My ride in an Amphicar

Since 90% of the Amphicars were built for export to the US, the story of the car takes on water and sinks, sorry, another water pun, in 1968 when new U.S. government EPA and DOT regulations forced the Amphicar factory in Berlin to close for good with just 3,878 examples made.

What are they worth now?

Well, a couple years ago Disney bought a bunch of them to give people rides at Disney Springs so the prices have jumped way up. Good luck finding one in decent shape since the bilge pumps were not the best and the cars tended to rust. According to Hagerty one in Fair condition is worth $42, 100, Good condition $78,900, Excellent $107,000, and Concours quality is worth $123,000. This one is easily Excellent, maybe even Concours.

Thanks for stopping by and catching this week’s water-soaked spot, last shot for a pun, and come back next week where I promise not to share a pun-filled spot along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.