Vehicle Description
This 1965 Amphicar 770 is a beautifully restored example of the
iconic amphibious vehicle that the public could drive to, and into
the lake on a gorgeous summer day. Is it a boat or is it a car?
It's both, it's an Amphicar! Back in the late 50s, the idea of
amphibious vehicles was not particularly novel, especially in the
worlds of military and scientific applications. However, the idea
of an amphibious motor vehicle for personal use was practically
unheard of until a group of West German scientists and engineers
reportedly spent 15 years and approximately $25 Million researching
and developing the idea. Making its US debut on April 1, 1961 at
the Fifth Annual International Auto Show in New York City, the
Amphicar was a truly unique automobile. The production version of
the Amphicar was based off a concept vehicle designed by Hans
Trippel that he had actually displayed at the 1959 Geneva Auto
Show. Unlike the concept car that sported a British Austin motor,
the production Amphicar was sold with a British Triumph engine. The
special land and sea capable transmissions were sourced from the
Hermes firm in Germany, who at the time were known for providing
the transmissions for another famous German auto maker, Porsche.
Perhaps most significantly, the fact that the Amphicar was built on
its own platform (as opposed to being built on an existing car or
boat) makes this amphibious vehicle particularly extraordinary.
Dubbed "the sports car that swims," the Amphicar was touted for its
ability to simply drive into water and instantly become a boat,
thus being able to be transported without the need of a trailer.
Additionally, the 770 model name was said to have come from the
Amphicar's ability to travel 7 MPH in the water and 70 MPH on land.
Despite the Amphicar's novel design and initial public excitement,
they were only produced for a mere 7 years. A combination of weak
demand and changes in the tightening EPA and DOT regulations lead
to the firm's ultimate downfall. In the 7 year run, a total of
approximately 800 Amphicars were produced and of that, only about
600 were sold in the US, which makes these exceptional pieces of
automotive history especially desirable and collectible today. The
British-sourced 1,147 cc Overhead Valve Inline 4 Cylinder engine is
paired with a single barrel Solex carburetor is mounted in the rear
of this vehicle and was said to have produced 43 horsepower when
new. The 1,147 CC engine is backed by a German-sourced Hermes 4
speed manual transmission that was capable of switching between
land and sea driving with the flip of a switch. This Amphicar is
equipped with a 12 Volt electrical system which provides an
improved startup and overall electrical performance. On land, this
1965 Amphicar 770 rides on a set of radial tires on painted steel
rim with wheelcovers and in the sea it is propelled via a pair of
propellors underneath the vehicle towards the rear. The white vinyl
convertible top is manually operated and it's in fantastic
condition. The exterior on this Amphicar has been refinished in a
beautiful Fjord Green that just has a great look for such an
eccentric vehicle. Superb chrome and brightwork around the exterior
of this Amphicar 770 completes its exterior appearance. The
interior on this Amphicar is absolutely fantastic! The front and
rear bench seats, and door panels have all been beautifully
reupholstered in a two-tone color scheme consisting of Yellow and
White Vinyl. The dash, woodgrain floor, and steering wheel are all
in wonderful condition as well and all appear to be in their stock
configuration. The dash is outfitted with a 90 MPH speedometer,
temperature gauge, and fuel gauge, along with a clock. An Equus
temperature gauge is also mounted neatly under the dash as well.
Whether you're adding to your existing collection or you're buying
your first classic car, this 1965 Amphicar 770 would make an
excellent choice. Give us a call today!
*1,147 CC OHV Inline 4
*Hermes 4 Speed Manual Land/Sea Transmission
*Solex Single Barrel Carburetor
*43 Horsepower
*Marine Navigation Lights
*12 Volt Electrical System
*Personal-Use Amphibious Vehicle
*White Vinyl Convertible Top
*Fjord Green Exterior
*Yellow/White Vinyl Interior
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 23,762 Miles
If an inaccurate automobile price is inadvertently listed on this
Website, Seller reserves the right to NOT honor the erroneous
price.
For more information and a current list of vehicles, call
763-428-7337.
