Amphicar

Amphicar. (Germany) 1961 - I967.
Designed by Hans Trippel, who had produced amphibian cars at the Bugatti factory at Molsheim during the War, the Amphicar build by the Quandt Group at L?beck but mainly at Berlin-Borsigwalde had an English 1147cc Triumph four-cylinder engine with 38 hp at 4750 rpm. Most cars were sold in the USA.

The Amphicar was the only amphibious automobile ever mass-produced for sale to the public. The German vehicle was designed by Hanns Trippel, creator of the war-time Schwimmwagen and manufactured by the Quandt Group at L?beck and at Berlin-Borsigwalde. Its name is a combination of "amphibious" and "car".

The powerplant was the four-cylinder 1.1 L (1147 cc/69 in?) engine from the British Triumph Herald, with a power output of 43 hp (32 kW) at 4750 rpm. Called the "Model 770", the Amphicar could achieve speeds of 7 knots in the water and 70 mph (113 km/h) on land.

Production started in 1961, after 1963, cars were assembled from the parts which had been supplied for the over-estimated sales of 20,000 per year, and production ended in 1968. Most cars were sold in the United States. Cars were sold in the UK from 1964. Total production was 3,878 vehicles before the company folded.

During the fourth week in July, Amphicar owners convene at Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio. These events are called Swim-ins [1], and are designed to give owners a chance to interact with one another.

Total production was about 2800 units.