The Amphicar was built in Germany from 1961 to 1968. Total Production was 3,878 vehicles. The Amphicar is the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass produced. 3,046 Amphicars were imported into the United States between 1961 and 1967. The Amphicar is rear engine, and uses a 4 cylinder British-built Triumph Herald motor producing 43 HP. All Amphicars are convertibles and the civilian models were originally offered in only 4 colors: Beach Sand White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue and Fjord Green.

The backbone of the Amphicar’s electrics is basically a Lucas 12 volt positive ground system with certain items such as the horn, lighting, and switches made by other manufacturers such as Hella and Bosch.

The Amphicar has a top speed of 7 MPH on water and 70 MPH on land. Hence, it was dubbed the “Model 770”. The Amphicar is moved in the water by its twin nylon propellers. A special two-part land-and-water transmission built by Hermes (makers of the Porsche transmission) allows the wheels and propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously. The “land transmission” is a 4-speed-plus-reverse unit similar to those found in the old Volkswagen Beetles. 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 1966 Amphicar Model 770 in the collection of the Midwest Dream Car Collection is finished in Lagoon Blue, a color most appropriate for a car that goes in the water! It sports a black and white vinyl interior with a black convertible top. It is equipped with a modified 1500cc Triumph Herald engine, which was an upgrade from the standard 1147cc which it would have had when it rolled off the assembly line. This Amphicar was the last full restoration project completed by Hugh Gordon of Gordon Imports, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, California. Mr. Gordon, who passed away on Oct. 1, 2015, was highly regarded in the Amphicar community as being one of the foremost experts on Amphicars. His dedication and expertise kept countless Amphicars preserved over many decades that otherwise may have been lost to decay. Mr. Gordon and his team began the restoration on our car in January of 2009 and completed it in May of 2010. The Midwest Dream Car Collection acquired the car in October of 2020 in like new condition. Have we tried putting the car in water? Yes, on May 4, 2021 we held a special “test swim” at the River Pond Lake at Tuttle Creek in Manhattan, Kansas. The car went from land to lake and back as designed with no issue. What great fun!

Source: International Amphicar Owners Club

www.amphicar.com