spikedpunk's video: Bruno s Grandfather s 1962 Amphicar

Totally unexpected on a mid-autumn drive in Eastern Ontario, not near any real body of water, and feeling like we were passing through a proverbial ghost town (yes, many were away for the long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (October 10th, 2014), a lone person appears walking towards us, intrigued by our 1980 AMC Eagle. Bruno was the young lad's name, and he invited us over to his garage where in it sat a 1962 Amphicar, a German designed amphibious vehicle. Bruno's grandfather purchased this car from brand new, and it has obviously been in the family since new. It looks as original as can be, down to the wide whitewall bias ply tires. I believe Amphicars were were available until 1969 or so. They were powered by a Triumph Herald engine in the rear, had a 4-speed transmission with a combined final drive and swing axles. Twin plastic propellers gave about 12 miles per hour top speed in the water and the wheels provided not quite 80 MPH on land. From folks I have spoken to, Amphicars were never quite watertight, and depended upon a good bilge pump to keep abreast of taking on too much water. Obviously salt water or salt on roads could be very detrimental to one, and the the free board was not too much so I suspect these could not be used offshore in the ocean. Regardless, on serene lakes and rivers, these cars would most be likely a real hoot to pilot and cruise about in. I hope one day to have a ride/sail in one. Again I never know what hidden gems I will come across in my travels, and too many times I do not have the camera with me, this time I did. Again I say thank you to Bruno for allowing us to see this car from another age so unsuspectingly hidden in a garage that looks like it should have had a tractor in it. Just one of those things! Sorry, no still pictures, it happened so unexpectedly and we had to be on our way, expecting the colorful Corvairwild to show up at our friend's farmhouse with yet another unconventional vehicle, a rear-engine air cooled Corvair convertible. But that is another story already shown on the channel. The Eagle update and blog will be featured soon!