1965 Amphicar 770 Convertible

The amphibious Amphicar was developed in West Germany and was designed for the American leisure market. Making its debut at the 1961 New York Auto Show, it was the culmination of a 15-year, $25 million development program that was conceived by amphibious vehicle pioneer Hans Trippel.

The Amphicar was powered by a mid-rear mounted 1147cc Triumph Herald inline four-cylinder engine that was mated to a German Hermes transmission, directing power to the rear wheels on land and, once on the water, to twin propellers at the rear. The front wheels provided directional control both on land and water, the doors had special watertight seals, and the front compartment contained the fuel tank, spare tire, and tools.

The Amphicar was unofficially dubbed the '770 in reference to its factory-claimed top speeds of seven knots on water and 70 mph on land.

In total, there were around 3,878 produced through 1967, with the majority exported to the United States until the onset of the first wave of Federally-mandated safety and emissions regulations for 1968.

This 1965 Amphicar 770 has been given a nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration and has traveled less than 900 miles since the work was new. It is finished in Fjord Green with an Apricot interior.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $75,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $63,250 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2012