Put-in-Bay Amphicar Days

The Amphicar Model 770 holds a unique and delightful place in automotive history as the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass-produced. Famously described by owners as “not a very good car and not a very good boat, but it does just fine,” or alternatively, “the fastest car on water and the fastest boat on the highway,” it remains a testament to mid-century optimism and quirky engineering.

The Amphicar was the brainchild of Hanns Trippel, a German engineer who spent decades obsessed with the concept of land-and-water vehicles. The Amphicar debuted at the 1961 New York Auto Show, baffling and delighting onlookers. To keep the water out, the steel body featured double seals on the doors, which were tightly locked into place using an internal secondary lever before entering the water. Huge rear fins, a major styling cue of the era, were actually functional: they kept water from splashing into the rear engine louvers. 

Today, it is estimated that only around 500 to 1,500 Amphicars survive in various conditions. Because of their absolute uniqueness, they have transitioned from an eccentric mid-century novelty into highly prized collector items. Well-restored models regularly command upwards of $100,000 at auction.

Dedicated owner groups still host annual “Swim-Ins” across the U.S. and Europe, such as ours right here at the Bay, keeping Hanns Trippel’s dream of the amphibious commuter alive, one lake launch at a time.