Like many collector cars we revere today—from the Duesenberg and Cord to the Cobra—the Amphicar was a spectacular failure. People loved the idea of a convertible that doubled as a boat, but the amphibious German roadster was unusual looking and relatively expensive. Only 3,878 were produced between 1961 and 1967 with most (3,046) coming to the US.
A list price between $2,800 and $3,300 (depending on the year) doesn’t sound like a lot today, but it was steep for a fun-time car that had dubious utility for commuting—unless your office was on the other side of a lake.
Amphicars had trouble meeting the tough US emissions and safety standards that went into effect in 1968, so slow sales meant an end to the enterprise. (Read about the man who is on a crusade to preserve Amphicars.)
The Triumph Herald engine rides in the back. The fins were sky high, even taller than those in the ’59 Cadillac.
The Amphicar might not have looked like a good bet in 1961, but in terms of subsequent appreciation, it was a very wise investment. Today, an Amphicar in good condition is worth more than $100,000. This car offered on eBay is better than good. It has just 574 miles on the odometer and has been sympathetically refreshed. The Buy-It-Now price is $110,000.
The front-end styling was an acquired taste, but it worked as a boat.
According to the seller, this is “quite possibly the finest Amphicar in North America.” It’s a super-rare 1968 model, perhaps the last car built. It has lived in a climate-controlled facility for a decade and was fully stripped down for a concours-level restoration that included a powder-coated chassis, a rebuilt motor (despite the low mileage), new gaskets, and a completely new interior.
The Amphicar featured a fully instrumented dash, even a clock.
The car, handsome in white with a red top and wheels, comes with “un-punched license plate holes,” which means it was never registered. The sale includes a complete tool kit, navigation light, a high-output heater, literature, and the correct Bilstein jack. The owner says a divorce forces a reluctant parting with the Amphicar, which is said to run “as if it were new.”
Under the skin, the Model 770 Amphicar was—despite its German origins—basically a British four-cylinder Triumph Herald, complete with Lucas electrics. But the brakes and suspension were from Mercedes, and the transmission internals from Porsche’s supplier, Hermes. Former Borgward workers built them, and the Quandt family (owners of BMW) were company owners at one time.
The water-cooled engine was rear-mounted and drove (through its unique “land” and “water” gearboxes) both the rear wheels and a pair of plastic propellers. The front wheels acted as rudders in the water, so the steering wheel also turned the boat—in a leisurely fashion. Customer amenities included an adjustable front bench with separate back rests, heater/defroster, and a cigarette lighter.
Amphicar 770s were rust-prone, but the one for sale on eBay (unlike the one in this photo) is pristine.
The befinned Amphicar—with period styling—was supposedly capable of 70 miles per hour on the highway (and seven knots on the water), but with just 43 horsepower, it was no muscle car. The transition from the road to the water is hugely entertaining.
Understandably, given its aquatic adventures, Amphicar 770s were rust-prone—and many of them rotted away. They’re expensive to restore, and parts are relatively scarce, but eBay has a good selection, from air cleaners and tool rolls to complete hoods and door panel kits.
Back in the day, Amphicars reportedly made crossings between England and France, Spain to Morocco, and San Diego to Catalina Island. Today, many live pampered lives in collections, but a select few still take their owners from pavement to pond without getting their feet wet. Maybe the pristine Amphicar now for sale on eBay could help you navigate both land and sea.
