Docked For 10 Years: 1967 Amphicar 770
It’s a car! It’s a boat! Actually, this 1967 Amphicar 770 isn’t a particularly great one of either of those, but the mere fact that you can drive into a lake or pond and then motor away (albeit slowly) is so cool Amphicars have a cult following now! This one can be found for sale here on eBay. Thanks to Matt W. for this dripping wet find that can be found in Charlton, Massachusetts !
I’m not really sure what got into the Germans that designed the Amphicar — those vents in the rear deck normally hide a Triumph-built four-cylinder that was pretty much adopted straight out of the Triumph Herald/Spitfire range. Not the engine I would have chosen, and I’m a Triumph nut with over 10 on the property (and another one coming next week…but that’s another story).
The seller tells us that it has been in storage for 10 years and we can see why in this picture. However, there’s some good news — there are some patch panels and new panels that come with this car. Not everything that you will need, but it’s a start. I wonder if anyone makes performance propellers for Amphicars?
This is a rebuildable original engine per the seller. It’s certainly easy to get parts for.
This is where you would typically find that engine. Does the rust scare you too much, or are you interested in this amphibious find? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments
At this point, one would have to agree, it’s not “Amphibious”. More “stone like” I would say.
I like these cars though.
With the number of these that are for sale at present, it feels like more of these have surfaced (excuse the pun) than were actually built.
Still have no idea why the Howell’s ,Ginger, Mary Ann and the professor chose Gilligan and the Skipper for a 3 hour tour ! They could have bought one of these…One of life’s mysteries….
Thurston and the Missus would have sunk the Amphicar with their girth….and of course Ginger and Mary Ann would have had to sit on the Professor’s lap………..thats why!
Patch panels? As though this thing is EVER gonna float ever again? LOL
Of course, Speed Racer drove his Mach 5 UNDERwater. I saw him do it in a few episodes.
Is there a parts blue car in garage?
The rear rust makes one wonder did the boat go in salt water?
Did the professor take the apmphmobile out picking up chicks while on the island and secretly return hoping to catch ginger with his rod and reel ?
We may never know?
My 356 is being painted in Charlton, I asked my friend if he knew this car, he said he did. I’ve always wanted one of these. I remember reading a review of the Amphicar when I was a kid, it read that it didn’t make a very good car or a very good boat, but man are they cool!
I probably wouldn’t buy a rusty amphicar.
If only it were fiberglass. This would make Phil Swift a wealthy man.
I bought a barn find Ampicat from my Bil years ago, he was a farmer and it was in his barn. Anyway that was a land and water vehicle also. After getting it running I HAD to get it in the water. Launching into a small river, water started gushing in from every where. The four of us did save it. Forty some years later I am still laughing!
You made me snort my drink!! :-)
Thats what this place is all about to me Moparmann! Memories! Take care Brother, Having a Leinenkugels for the both of us now.
Hi Jamie,
You comment that you have 10-11 triumphs. It would be cool to have them listed under your name in the header such as
73 spitfire restored
71 herald in bits
69 GT6 ready for paint
68 Vitesse waiting for engine rebuild
Just adds that extra factor
Glen, a long time ago we did some “what’s in our garage posts”—it was a lot of fun! The short list right now is:
1956 Standard Vanguard Sportsman —great driver condition
1963 Triumph Italia 2000 GT — driver that I’m going to improve, owned since 1987
1963 Triumph Herald 1200 convertible—wife’s car, currently on lift awaiting new brake hoses, driver
1965 Triumph 2000 Estate —long term project that I’ve agreed to sell as-is back to the friend I bought it from 13 years ago
1967 Triumph Spitfire — driver
1969 Hunter (TR6 based kit car) — project
1972 TR6 — given away but not delivered
1973 TR6 — almost finished
1971 Spitfire — restored
And several parts cars….and I just bought a garage find Triumph that I will be writing up next week!
It looks like someone drove it in salt water….for quite a while.
Kiwi, they do that over at the Triumph Experience online forum. I’m sure he’s a member there with all his requisite info like VIN, color, status. Not needed for Barn Finds. Not enough real estate on screen for that!
I think I’ll take one to Catalina. What do you think?