Private company

Amphicar

Logo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

Amphibious automobile launched in 1961

The Amphicar Model 770 is an amphibious automobile which was launched at the 1961 New York Auto Show. It was made in West Germany and marketed from 1961 to 1968, with production ceasing in 1965. Designed by Hans Trippel, the amphibious vehicle was manufactured by the Quandt Group at Lübeck and at Berlin-Borsigwalde, with a total of 3,878 manufactured in a single generation.2 It ceased to exist in 1969.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1961Founded1
  • Industryautomotive industry1
  • HeadquartersBerlin1
Amphicar-main-ffm001
Photo: dontworry, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons5

The Amphicar Model 770 is an amphibious automobile which was launched at the 1961 New York Auto Show. It was made in West Germany and marketed from 1961 to 1968, with production ceasing in 1965.2

The story

Production started in late 1960. By the end of 1963, complete production was stopped. From 1963 to 1965 cars were assembled from shells and parts inventory built up in anticipation of sales of 25,000 units, with the last new build units assembled in 1965. Cars were titled in the year they actually sold rather than when they were produced, e.g. an unsold Amphicar assembled in 1963 or 1965 could be titled as 1967 or 1968 if that was when it was first sold. Although the inventory could not be sold in the U.S. in the 1968 model year or later due to new environmental and USDOT emissions and safety equipment standards, they were available in other countries into 1968. The remaining inventory of unused parts was eventually purchased by Hugh Gordon of Santa Fe Springs, California.

Most Amphicars were sold in the United States. Cars were sold in the United Kingdom from 1964. Total production was 3,878 vehicles, of which only 97 were right-hand drive. Some were used in the Berlin police department and others were fitted for rescue operations.

From Wikipedia’s article on Amphicar, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

Engine: Triumph four-cylinder engine of 1147 cc, 8:1 compression ratio, rated at 43 bhp

Chassis/body

Appearance

Front undersurface is slightly pointed and sharply cut away below. The wheels are set low, so that the vehicle stands well above ground level when on dry land. Front and rear bumpers are placed low on the body panels (but fairly high in relation to dry ground). The one-piece windshield is curved. The foldable top causes the body style to be classified as cabriolet. Its water propulsion is provided by twin propellers mounted under the rear bumper. The Amphicar is made of mild steel.

From Wikipedia’s article on Amphicar, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1969Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1961Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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