1966 Quandt Group Amphicar

One of 800 produced, Previous McMullen Collection Ownership.There are better cars, and there also are better boats, but there is no better way to draw a crowd than with an Amphicar.  Designed by Hans Trippel and built in Germany, the Amphicar was a recreational vehicle aimed squarely at the American leisure market.  It was undeniably fun and brought a swarm of entranced onlookers each time on splashed into the water, its twin propellers churning away as it drove into the drink.  Observers' fascination may have been morbid, but when the little Amphicar motored away across the ripples their smiles were genuine.  An unlikely concept, the Amphicar worked and made a Saturday afternoon at the beach an unforgettable occasion.

Only 800 or so Amphicars were built, and many have perished.  Powered by a 1,147cc Triumph Herald engine, their performance on land was amiable. In the water, 43 horsepower made little headway against the hydrodynamic resistance of four wheels.  However this had little impact upon its charm and the niche they have claimed in the hearts of collectors.  An Amphicar brings smiles, whether of enthusiasm or of amazement makes no difference.  To the faces of all who behold them, the concept is so outrageous that its very existence is cause for awe and wonder.

The McMullen Collection's 1966 Amphicar presented here was restored by the unquestionable Guru of all things Amphicar, Hugh Gordon, and as such was done to very strict factory specifications.  Finished in red with white wheels, the body is sound and the all-important door gaps should seal well if the next owner decides to try out the car's amphibiousness, which incidentally was never tested under Mr. McMullen's ownership.  With the passage of time, its concours quality condition has faded slightly, however the Amphicar is still quite presentable and mechanically fit. Amphicars are charming and popular drivers.  Even if they never venture into the water the possibility is always there and that holds the attention, and the smiles, of both passengers and onlookers.