Rare 1965 Amphicar 770 Model By Private Owner

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

The Amphicar has a top speed of 7mph on water and 70mph on land. Hence, t 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, he front wheels act as rudders.

And this from the Web Site "The Wonderful World of the Amphicar" FAQs:

• Amphicar was manufactured in Germany (Berlin and Lubeck) from 1961 to 1967. Just under 4000 were produced, ost went to USA (at least 3700), here are maybe 500 still in regular use, ith are 7 in the UK and about 80 in the rest of Europe.
• Even now, mphicar is the only non-military Amphibious vehicle ever put into production on a commercial basis (ie more than 100 produced). The many rules and regulations for road and water going vehicles make it very unlikely that another car based amphibian will ever be produced.
• Amphicar is capable of over 70mph on road, knots on water. It is comfortable enough to drive 500 miles a day, oad behaviour is similar to a good 1960s European saloon car or a 1980s American car.
• Amphicar cost $5m to design in the late 1950's. It is totally watertight. The engine is in the rear, t is the same as used in the Triumph Herald, 147cc, 3HP, ransmission drives rear wheels through unique land/water gearbox.
• Amphicar has connections with other manufacturers, any Amphicar employees came from Borgward and there are many parts in common between the cars. Much of the braking system and suspension is Mercedes. The transmission internals are Porsche 356 as are some parts of the fuel system. In 1967 the Amphicar corporation was owned by the Quandt group, ho also owned and still own a controlling share of, MW.
• Amphicar failed because it was too expensive when new, owever it is capable of some serious sea crossings, e Africa to Spain, an Diego to Catalina Island and England to France (3 times, nce in a force 6 gale).
• Amphicar is made of steel so was prone to rust, owever modern paint and waxes can stop rust being a problem. It does need more maintenance than other cars but maintenance schedules are no worse than some 4x4 vehicles.
• Amphicar has the highest rear fins of any production car, bout 1 inch higher than a '59 Cadillac.
• Amphicar is great in snow, etter than many 4x4s. With 10 inches of ground clearance, totally flat bottom and narrow rear wheels Amphicar has tremendous traction and ability,
• Acar that looks like the Amphicar from the rear is the Jaguar XK220, elow bumper level the shape is almost identical - a large bulge around the engine and everything very flat for ground effect/hydrodynamics. The Jaguar does not have the advantage of propellers which makes it much slower in the water !
• Amphicar featured in US movie "Pontiac Moon".
• Amphicar spare parts still available in the US, ontact Hugh Gordon, 4330 Iseli Road, anta Fe Springs, alifornia 90670. telephone 714 523 3512 fax 562 404 1904
• Many people have tried to build a better Amphibian than the Amphicar, here are as many as 2 or 3 a year, o date nobody has managed to improve on the original package.