1967 Amphicar 770

White with red and white vinyl interior

Engine: rear-mounted Triumph 1200 Herald, four-cylinder, in-line, cast iron block and cylinder head, overhead valves, pushrods, Solex downdraught carburetor, rear radiator, coil ignition, 12-volt electrics, 1,147cc, 39bhp at 4500rpm; Transmission: four-speed synchromesh gearbox and transfer box for two plastic three-blade propellers, hypoid bevel back axle; Suspension: front independent, wishbone, two coil sub-assemblies, rear, transverse leaf spring with swing arm axle, telescopic shock absorbers; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum. Left-hand drive.

Hans Trippel, a German engineer and designer, was fascinated by amphibious cars. The design concept had obvious military connotations and his models were incorporated into a German wartime amphibious vehicle of which over 1000 were built in the German-requisitioned Bugatti factory at Molsheim. With the cessation of World War II, Trippel set about designing a new prototype for private owner use with a rear-mounted Austin Healey Sprite engine which eventually appeared in 1959 as the Alligator. The interest was so encouraging that he formed DWM in West Berlin and the world's first production Amphicar was introduced in 1961, this time with a Triumph Herald engine.
This unique two-door, four-seater cabriolet has a self-supporting steel body with a reinforced double tube frame. All joints are electrically welded and the underside is designed to give the best hydrodynamic qualities in water. The two doors have special water seals and the rear-mounted engine has above-water line exhaust emission. The vehicle has conventional rear-wheel drive and steering both in the water and on the road is by the front wheels. On the road, the Amphicar looks like a normal four-seater cabriolet and has a maximum speed of 70mph, but once in the water, the two three-bladed rear-located propellers are set in motion by a special gear lever and the speed is controlled by the accelerator pedal. In 1962, an Amphicar crossed the English Channel, and in all about 800 were made with approximately 600 coming to the US.

This elegant 1967 Amphicar is a very low mileage original example having recorded just over 5,000 miles from new (the replacement odometer is certified accordingly.) Repainted some time ago, it presents very well indeed and recent work includes a new windscreen and bilge pump along with a recent service that paid particular attention to the brakes and wheel bearings. The vendor attests to the vehicle being a fine performer on both land and water but above all else praises the originality and preservation of this charming car, claiming no evidence of rust. Accompanying the car is an owner's manual and (hopefully never to be used) - life jackets and a paddle!

Source - Christies

The Amphicar Model 770 is an amphibious automobile. It was manufactured in West Germany and marketed in the United States from 1961 through 1967, with its debut being made at the 1961 New York Auto Show. It was designed by Hanns Trippel and manufactured by the Quandt Group at Lübeck and at Berlin-Borsigwalde, with a total of 3,878 manufactured in a single generation.

The Amphicar was a descendant of the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen. It featured navigation lights and flat as mandated by the Coast Guard. The engine was mounted at the rear of the craft, driving the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission.

When the vehicle was in the water, the same engine drove a pair of reversible propellers at the rear, with a different gear lever engaging forward or reverse drive. When in the water, the main gear lever would normally be left in neutral, however by engaging first gear as well as drive to the propellers when approaching a boat ramp, the Amphicar could drive itself out of the water.

Power was from a 1147cc engine from the British Triumph Herald 1200. Power was rated at 43 bhp at 4750 RPM, slightly more than the Triumph Herald due to a shorter exhaust. Designated the Model CV770, the Amphicar could achieve speeds of 7 knots in the water and 70 mph (110 km/h) on land.

This 1967 Amphicar was auctioned at the Exceptional Motor Cars Christies, Monterey Jet Center in 2006. It was expected to sell between $50000-$70000. It carries chassis number 106523019 and engine number GK1673HE. Though there are a limited number of these unique creations, at the close of the sale this vehicle was unsold.

It is white with a white vinyl interior. The rear-mounted Triumph 1200 Herald four-cylinder engine produced 39 horsepower. It has a four-speed manual gearbox that is synchromesh. It has four-wheel hydraulic drums and is a left-hand drive vehicle.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017