Despite what The Jetsons led us to believe, society hasn't quite advanced to the point where we have flying cars (there's still 40 more years to make that a reality!). However, we did invent cars that could travel by land or by sea all the way back in the '60s! While the Amphicar may have been a notorious flop, it was created with the sort of whimsy modern automotive manufacturers lack.
Antecedant Amphibious Automotives
The Amphicar—officially, the Amphicar Model 770—was the brainchild of German designer Hans Trippel. Attempts had been made to meld car and boat since cars were first mass-produced. Unfortunately, there hadn't been much success.
Amphibious automobile were kicked into high gear with the start of WWII, when amphibious attacks could turn the tides of battle. The Amphicar's ancestors, the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen and the Trippel SG6 were both used by the German army. But these were just the starting point.
The Schimmwagen and SG6 were effective for what they were—military vehicles. But, they weren't practical for the modern driver who wanted it all (whomever they may be). Nor were they the most attractive amphipious vehicle.
Visually, the Amphicar resembled Ford and Chevrolet models of the era. However, there was something...off about the Amphicar's appearance with its' sky-high tailfins and sloped undercarriage. It wouldn't necessarily look out of place driving down the street, but it existed in a sort of automotive uncanny valley.
Another point against the Amphicar was that it was incredibly expensive to test and produce. After all, it needed testing on land and sea. This meant that when the Amphicar hit the market, it was also incredibly expensive to purchase.
The Amphicar Hits The Market
Undeterred, Trippel and the Quandt Group went all out on marketing the Amphicar. The biggest promotion involved a stunt driver crossing the English Channel in an Amphicar. Surprisingly, this stunt generated more buzz across the pond than on its home turf.
So, were Americans the market for the amphibious car of the future?
Not exactly.
While Americans made up 80% of the market for the Amphicar, production never reached its goal of 25,000 units. Like we said, the Amphicar had the odds stacked against it in both cost and appearance. It wasn't that people didn't understand it, or weren't ready for it—they didn't want it.
It makes sense when you think about it. The Amphicar is vehicle whose novelty cannot excuse its hefty price tag. The average person relies on a car far more than a boat, and they'd be better off buying a car that works.
This wasn't to say that the Amphicar was plagued by mechanical failures. The 770 in the Amphicar's name referred to its top speed(s): 7 knots in water, 70 miles on land. Not only was this slower than most pleasure cruisers, but it took a while to get started.
There were some who understood the Amphicar's unique charms. The most famous among them was Lyndon B. Johnson. A notorious prankster, Johnson would pretend the brakes were failing and drive unsuspecting passengers into the lake.
Amphicar's Legacy
Amphicar production ceased in 1965, just four years after hitting the market.
In short, the Amphicar was a one-of-a-kind product. It was the only amphibious car to be mass-produced for civilian use. And, it was also a colossal failure, earning it a prestige it wouldn't have garnered had it led to a revolution.
Less than 4000 Amphicars were produced, so they're difficult to come by and even more difficult to afford. However, Amphicar enthusiasts around the country host "swim-ins" and are more than happy to let passengers experience these unique vehicles. Another option is taking a trip down to Walt Disney World, where you can cruise over Lake Buena Vista.
