West Coast Classics are proud to present a beautiful example of this rare all original survivor example of a California owned since new 1967 Amphicar 770 amphibious automobile recently acquired from the long time, over 56 years in fact, and only second ever owner with 5,210 original miles!
The Amphicar was launched at the 1961 New York Auto Show and was marketed in Germany from 1961-1965 with production of only some 3,878 units ending in 1965. As later mandated for the U.S. Coast Guard it featured navigation lights and a flag. The car features a foldable top which classifies the car as a cabriolet. Its propelled on water by twin propellers mounted under the rear bumper and is built from mild steel with rubber gaskets sealing the doors and with a bilge pump that could be actuated if the scupper level rises!
The rear mounted engine is matched to a 4 speed manual transmission and once in the water the pair of reversible propellers at the rear, with a transfer case with a second gear lever engaging forward or reverse, the main gear would then remain in neutral until having to help maneuver the Amphicar out of the water when the main gear would then engage along with the second gear driving the propellers in order to help assist drive itself out of the water.
Powered by a 1147cc Triumph Herald 1200 engine which provided the necessary combination of performance with a power output of 43HP, weight, cool running and reliability. The Amphicar was designated the 'Model 770' because the Amphicar could achieve speeds of 7 knots in the water and 70mph on land! Later versions of the engine displaced 1296cc and 1493cc producing 75HP. In water, as well as on land, the Amphicar was steered by the front wheels acting as rudders.
Production started in late 1960 and by the end of 1963 production had stopped with the last actual build being assembled in 1965. The cars were to be titled in the year that they were sold rather then when they were produced, therefore an unsold Amphicar assembled in 1963 or 1965 could eventually be titled as a 1967 or 1968 if that was when it was first sold but by 1968 the cars could no longer be sold in the U.S due to new environmental and emissions and safety equipment standards. Most Amphicars were indeed only sold in the U.S. anyways, with a few cars sold in the U.K and Germany. Total production was only 3,878 vehicles of which only 97 were right hand drive.
This is a late model 1967 Amphicar owned by the same southern California owner since 1977 when he had purchased the vehicle from its original owner. It is a true time capsule survivor and an extremely rare example of a completely rust free and very fine surviving example of a 1967 Amphicar 770 which is mostly all original with only very minor imperfections or flaws in the paintwork and it's all stock and unrestored 'Red & White' color seats interior.
With most examples on the market today having been either at least somewhat, or mostly completely restored, to find an all original example as built in 1967 with original factory specifications is a very rare find indeed! The 4 cylinder engine is extremely strong and responsive and the 4 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This is a rare opportunity to own a very rare all original rust and accident free and internationally desirable unrestored yet still in fabulous condition throughout 1967 Amphicar 770!
