We once saw the purchase and rescue of an Amphicar at Wheelers Dealers. No idea when the original recordings dated. From about ten years ago? Or more? But there was something very special about that story.
Polyester & filler
The ex-American turned out, like so many ex-Americans, to consist mainly of polyester and putty, rag and tattered work. But the brave rubber duck was of course saved. And sold. The buyer was the man who is now one of the two dealers who have specialized in Amphicars worldwide: Roy Bolks from Terborg.
After some form negotiations, the restored Amphicar changed ownership for 35.250 pounds. We waved from the couch to the radiant Roy, who has been advertising with us for years.
Bought and sold
The Amphicar has therefore come to the Netherlands and has of course been sold after all these years. Because Amphicars have a growing interest among 'the rich and the famous'. That is now also noticeable in the prices. Because for an Amphicar in excellent condition, amounts up to around € 75.000 are now being requested.
For an honest, hard and good copy, the asking price is now above half a euroton. On the Internet we now saw the Amphicar from Wheeler Dealers now for sale in Denmark for € 75.900.
The Amphicar so
The Amphicar (1961-1968) was the life's work of car designer Hans Trippel (1908-2001). That man was obsessed with making the perfect amphibious car. He made his statement with the now priceless 'Schwimmwagen' for the German army during the second world war. The Amphicar was the good citizen of the Shwimm wagon.
The bodywork came from West Berlin, the engine from England (Triumph Herald) and there were even parts from the former GDR. The car was assembled in (the western part of) Berlin. 3.878 copies have been made. The sale was disappointing, among other things due to the high price of more than 10.000 DM. The performance was also poor, with a top speed of 105 km / h on land and 12 km / h on water.
Still, an Amphicar managed to cross the Channel in 1962. We know, by the way, where that Channel Swimmer is as good as forgotten. We had to promise the elderly owner not to tell anyone where this piece of historical heritage is. Not that he will ever do anything with it. But still ... Promised is promised.
Watch out with projects
In the meantime, purchasing such a project is at least challenging. Amphicars can rust very well. Assume a lot of welding work. And if sheet metal is for sale - even plastic trunk lids are made because the originals are really used up - then it is expensive.
A classic or an investment?
Such a floating box is therefore endearing. It doesn't drive as well as a car. It doesn't sail as well as a boat. But the people who managed to find one a few years ago? They now laugh that the bank interest rate is around zero. An Amphicar does not fit in an old sock under the mattress. But the people who used to look at it with pity will probably have revised their judgment.
Mike Webster!? I think his name is Brewer.
Auto Union also supplied parts: the steering wheel including caxon button comes directly from the DKW Junior / F11-F12 series
Wheeler Dealers from 2013.
Just 10 years ago already. . .. .
But what a fun car.
I think it's really cool to drive around and float
Perhaps the writer is too young to know Kaptein Zeppos because that is the only link for a Dutchman from the good old days with this car. And that too little attention would be given to the technology in the Dealer Wheeler program is not noticeable in the new episodes without (unfortunately) Ed. Well when they sent to America in England to get the cars and now they are in America they come up with European cars. Weird people those English ;-(.
to make it complete:
Captain Zeppos is not mentioned.
In that BRT youth series from the 60s, the main character also had such an amphicar!
The series was then even sold to the BBC!
Nice written story again Dolf. It is a pity that the canal swimmer is somewhere to die. Such a piece of history just belongs in a museum, right?