The Amphicar
"The fastest car on the water and the fastest boat on the road."
Alex Q. Arbuckle
1960s
A vehicle that promised to revolutionize drowning…. - Dan Neil, Time Magazine
Designed by Hanns Trippel and manufactured in West Germany by the Quant Group, the Amphicar Model 770 was a unique vehicle that combined the amphibious capability of the German military Schwimmwagen with a stylish finned convertible body. It was one of the few car-boat hybrids to enter mass production, with nearly 4,000 built between 1961 and 1965.Though its performance compared to normal boats and cars was not particularly impressive, and its chassis tended to be somewhat leaky, the Amphicar still inspired enthusiasm among owners.One owner was President Lyndon Johnson, who liked to take guests on tours of his ranch before barreling the car into a lake, screaming about malfunctioning brakes.
We like to think of it as the fastest car on the water and fastest boat on the road. - John Hein, Amphicar owner
Visit Premier Exhibitions at 417 5th Avenue to see the past become present again at "Retronaut's New York." This pop-up exhibition of extraordinary, digitally restored photographs captures New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It's only open until May 15, so be sure to get down there before it’s gone.