This amphibious car was designed by Hans Trippel. It has a unibody steel two-door cabriolet body with electrically-welded joints and is powered by an 1147cc triumph herald engine mounted at the rear and driving the rear wheels. Two propellers are activated for propulsion when the car is in the water. Top speed is about 6 ½ knots ( 7 m.p.h.) in the water and 68 m.p.h. on land. The front wheels are used as rudimentary rudders for steering in the water. Of 3,878 made, 3,046 were imported to the U.S., and the rest were sold around Europe. The amphicar was the most successful amphibious car ever produced, and has the highest tail fins of any production car, one inch higher than a ’59 Cadillac!
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Deutsche Waggon-und Maschinenfabriken GmbH
Country of Origin: Germany
Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear transaxle
Engine: 43 hp, 4 cylinder, 1147cc
Transmission: 4 speed manual on land, forward and reverse in water
Top Speed: 68 miles per hour on land, 6½ knots (7 miles per hour)
Years of Production: 1961-68
Number Produced: 3,878
Original Cost: $2,800 - 3,300
A Note About the Display of Our Collection
Thank you for viewing our collection online! Please note that our collection contains over 330 cars and motorcycles though we only have room to display approximately 150 at a time. Therefore, the item you are viewing may not be on display when you visit the museum in person.
