To the anonymous writer who referred to the Amphicars as being among the 10
worst cars ever made, I absolutely take issue. I could certainly find 10 which
were definitely worse e.g. the Yugo or even from a practicality standpoint,
a Messerschmitt ( And I have driven and love the Messerschmits and their
related "Tigers." ) At any rate, most of us would readily admit that the
Amphicar is a compromise vehicle - not a perfect car or a perfect boat, but a heck
of a lot of fun. If you are ashamed of yours, get rid of it so you won't have
to listen to all your friends telling you how bad yours is. I think it is
significant that the writer did not sign his offering.
An Amphicar, when in its aquatic environment, is definitely a boat that
should be driven both sensibly and carefully with forethought to possible
eventualities such as running into other watercraft or into a dock or seawall. It is
not the sort of craft one can run around on the deck and stick a "bumper"
(cushion) in between the Amphi and whatever it is about to encounter, that is
certain. In the same vein, since in the U.S. we are ostensibly required to
carry flares and various Coast Guard required items, should we need those items,
they had better not be locked away in the inaccessible front storage area
when you might need them. This also goes, without saying, for your paddle ( or
plural - PADDLES - so two of you can paddle it in a straight line, as opposed
to swapping the lone paddle from one person to the other ) as well as a TOW
rope which you can "conveniently" fasten to the "way under water" hook on the
bow should such be necessary.
As far as the drive train being problematic or unreliable, I have to say
that my Amphicar, a 1967, has been remarkably free from any major drive train
problems ( "knock on steel !" ) and responds when it is needed and does great to
which I can assure anyone that hundreds and hundreds who have seen and or
ridden in mine would attest. The addition of any alternator ( and a voltmeter
allowing easy monitoring ) was a great improvement which assures that the
battery is always at full strength. My principal problem, which has never
become serious for me, is that when the engine is warm ( I am not saying HOT,
because it always runs what I consider to be cool and the gauge never actually
gets into the right hand RED zone ), the engine can be a bit difficult to
start. Some have suggested I fiddle with the timing, but inasmuch as it runs so
excellently, I am not anxious to experiment and acquire other problems by the
so doing. Since I installed a full time low pressure electric fuel pump, I
never suffer from vapor lock problems and personally recommend such an
arrangement. The motor when cold virtually always starts in 3 or 4 seconds even after
not being started for 2 or 3 weeks, once the pump is turned on and allowed
to send the fuel to the carburetor.
So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. We love our "Split Personality"
and prior to owning it, could never have imagined what pleasure it would give
us and what interest it would arouse in others. Its SPG ( SMILES PER GALLON
) rating is definitely off the scale. As some of you know, I am historically
a Sailor, having sailed around the world on the Brigantine YANKEE, a Square
Rigger, which was my home for 2-1/2 years. However, an Amphicar is something
really different. Two of us with our 2 Amphicars just finished being taped
for an upcoming TV show on the Speed Channel - entitled "101 CARS YOU JUST
DRIVE." Watch for it in a month or so. We were told that _www.speedtv.com_
(
http://www.speedtv.com) should be able to keep us posted on when that segment is
due to air. It just premiered the first segment this past Monday.
Victor Nelson with the 1967
Split Personality near Daytona
**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars. (
http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)
unless you intend to have a garage queen now is the time to put in a 1500cc engine and do all the upgrade you can to try and make this sows ear halfway reliable-------------there is a reason this jewell is one of the 10 worst cars ever made,
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