Amphicar was built in Germany by the IWKA Corporation from '61 to
'68. Total production was approximately 4,000 vehicles. Hans Trippel, the
genius that invented the car, had years of experience designing amphibious
military vehicles. The Amphicar is the only civilian amphibious
passenger vehicle ever mass-produced. It is often called a boat
car, water car, duck, amphibious vehicle, or the boatcar. However,
it is correctly called an "Amphicar".
The Amphicar has a top speed of 7 mph in the water and 70 mph on the
road. Hence, it was dubbed the "Model 770". Fuel
consumption is 32 miles per gallon on the road, and 1 1/2 gallons per
hour in the water. The curb weight is only 2260 pounds, but it
can carry close to 700 lbs. The "land transmission"
is a 4-speed w/reverse. The "water transmission" features
forward and reverse gears, driving the "twin screws".
The single 43 HP Triumph engine, located over the rear-wheel drive tires,
powers the car on the road and in the water. Rear engine traction
means "Go" in the mud and snow. In the water the front
wheels are the rudders. Due to the popularity of Amphicars, most
parts are available.
The performance of the Amphicar is incredible! It is ultra safe
in the water, deemed unsinkable with the top up (sealed like a sailboat),
rivals other boats with its stability, and handles rough water well.
Although it was given a "bad rap" by most automotive
journalists, it maneuvers fantastically in the water, is fast enough
to pull a very light water skier, and even has brakes in the water (by
selecting reverse and applying full throttle). People agree that
it has an incredibly nice ride on the road, and feels like a modern
car! The acceleration is not Ferrari-like, but who cares? When
someone brags to an Amphicar owner about his or her collector car, a
good response is; "Does it float?" Madonna owns one.
She and her friends love to describe the feeling of driving into the
water for that first time!
Actually, the concept of the "car that swims" is quite simple.
Just take a boat and bolt on suspension. Five penetrations in
the hull are all that's needed; two for the props, one for each rear
wheel drive shaft, and one for the steering shaft. Not difficult
to seal. People are always amazed that the door seals keep out
water. They are as simple as refrigerator door seals. With
the Amphicar doors closed and locked properly, no water will get in
Being the captain of an Amphicar is like being Johnny Carson: everyone
loves you, they're all smiling, and they all want to shake your hand.
However, when you want all the attention to end, you just simply
walk away from the car. Johnny couldn't do that!
When new, the Amphicar sold for between $2,800 and $3,300. The
Amphicar was a phenomenal vehicle, way ahead of its time. However,
thanks to the many new US regulations and poor sales, the factory in
Berlin closed for good in 1968.
The Amphicar had many uses, and was even purchased by numerous fire
departments as a rescue vehicle. The manufacturer even offered
an optional stretcher that was mounted to the rear of the car.
But in one enthusiast's opinion, the Amphicar is only good for one thing: