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Amphicar BUYER

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Posts posted by Amphicar BUYER

  1. I never had the balls to launch mine at speed, I would think that the propellers would offer a lot of resistance and stuff the front end under water on our steep ramp.

    You have to be on a somewhat shallow ramp or you could stuff the front end under water. I sometimes do that nosing into a wake to soak all the passengers. YEE HAW!

  2. Try looking for the exploded view of the tailgate on http://www.gmpartswiki.com. The search feature didn't work too well for me but I was able to scroll through the many pages. It may take some time to find the illustration you need.

    After wasting a lot of time trying to figure out just how to find anything in that site I gave up. There is a lot of info in there but due to an EXTREMELY poorly designed site it is unusable. Very sad that their work is wasted.

    I still have faith that somebody has the view or photos of the mechanics inside. I can't go by an expensive camera for this. There has to be somebody who had this problem before and know a way to release the latches. HELP!

  3. Looks like a few have thought about ways for "launching" the Amphi! In 1967 Pepsi did a commercial for the Pepsi Generation campaign showing an Amphicar driving into the water at 50 MPH. It almost was a disaster as the car came very close to crashing. I've launched at 35 MPH and skipped my car like a stone a couple times. I don't recommend it!

  4. I am a little surprised that nobody has mentioned Velocity's "Graveyard Carz". ....

    I was wondering what others thoughts on that show are?

    I personally don't like Graveyard Carz at all. Mark whats-his-face is no different than Floyd Cotterpin was or Paul Teuttle. The yelling and narcissistic behavior insures I won't waste any of my life watching that crap. I lived it with my dad and I will NEVER see that as entertainment.

  5. Lets take this one at a time and you say

    " If you put ANY engine in a car that it was not born with no matter if it's of the same brand or not, the car is in fact, modified"

    You can enter a car with the same brand engine it would have came with even though it's not the original engine and the car would not be considered modified by AACA. I have seen cars mainly Pontiac that have added Tri-Power to their engines and AACA says as long as Tri-Power was offered or any option for that matter it is acceptable even though the cars build sheet says otherwise.

    Second, you say " the engine does not make the car that brand. "

    You must have a very short memory. If you recall all the litigation GM when through when it tried to badge mid 70's Oldsmobile's with SBC engines calling them a Rocket V-8's. I just happen to have one of those cars that I bought new. I always felt my Oldsmobile was a bastard vehicle. Today, TODAY! I was at a OCA event with that car and the people who have seen it and saw it today reaffirmed my own feelings by calling my car a Chevy. I own Pontiac's too, and I can tell you you get the same reaction in that camp as well....probably more so. What am I saying? You ask any loyal Pontiac or Olds guy and they will tell you the engine is the heart and sole of the brand.

    Sorry to burst your bubble!

    No bubbles bursted here. :-) I am OK with you having a different opinion than I otherwise how boring would life be?.

    No matter what GM or the courts or AACA or Rick my over helpful neighbor says, If I put a chevy engine in my Mustang, it still is a modified Ford Mustang (with a pigs heart (just kidding!!) but still a Ford Mustang). If your Olds had a Chevy in it installed by Olds, it is still an Olds w/chevy engine. Does my friend who had a heart transplant from a 12yr old girl make him a 12yr old girl? Even as much as he wants to be 12 it just isn't happening. I will not ask him about the girl part!

    The AACA "accepts" different modifications but that still does not mean it's technically correct. I stand by my thoughts that any change to factory built is modified, accepted or not, still by definition, modified.

    1. If it makes you smile and sit there staring at it while possibilities flood your brain, it's the right one for you even if it's a Yugo (seriously!)
    2. If you want a fun car to play with, but not looking to flip it, Pay no attention to values or what others like, get what YOU like.

      1. If your looking to flip it for money, DON'T!

      2. Get the car that fits your lifestyle and budget, if you have kids, maybe a wagon or cheaper sedan is best so your whole family can enjoy.
        1. You can use the money you save buying a less expensive sedan over a ragtop to make it nicer.

    [*]I personally prefer odd cars myself (like my Amphicars), but that is my taste. Many people love Vettes, 'Stangs and the (IMNSHO) over-priced Mopars which by nature makes them commonplace and less desirable to me. I go to a show and my eyes glaze over after walking past the umpteenth Vette, Stang, Camaro or Mopar and unless it is something spectacular, it is just more of the same. Where with my Amphicar, people have walked past high 6 figure cars to see my Amphicar (the guy with the $$ Duesey was not as impressed, sad for him).

    It really boils down to what makes your heart go pitter patter and your priorities. If you love it, get it. Just keep in mind it is an old car and therefore a little grumpy at times. Be patient and get what you want. Take the time to investigate part availability and if the car has anything about it that would be a deal breaker. Look at completed sales NOT what people are asking. There are many cars out there that are priced well above actual value that is why they are not selling. It's only the completed deals that count.

  6. That Amphicar has been on that converted barge for many years. Certainly not a new thing. I get a photo emailed to me a couple times a year of it. It is absolutely NOT for show, he uses it. He does have davits installed to offload it.

  7. The rod to the latch is not there to pull, and I'm sure there must be a way to manually unlatch it. It will be so much easier to repair in the open position.

    I want to get it open so I can work on it from the outside and not have to crawl in the back. It's not that easy for me. I hope that someone has an exploded view of the mechanisms or the method to unlatch it so I can work on it.

    I may have to invest in the camera, it'll be a good tool to have anyway.

  8. I just bought this 210 wagon and 1 of the rods from the inside latch to the handle is gone. I can't get my manly arm in the small access hole to reach it from inside, nor can I really see inside at all let alone how to unlatch the latch from inside. I won't go medieval on it.... yet.

    How do I get this thing open without an axe and a prybar? :confused: :P

  9. I believe that Jay Leno is preparing the world for one of the best museums to exist. I for one would like to shake his hand and thank him in advance for the museum that no doubt one day will be a world-wide draw and more than likely provide many benefits to charities too. His eclectic taste and sincerity is what draws me in. I love that he is not a single minded guy. He loves vehicles of all flavors. I seriously doubt that there is another collection that rivals the diversity of Jay's passion. So may end up with different versions of the same thing. When I am at a car show, I walk by the myriad of Corvettes as there are so many they loose their luster. Look a Corvette and another and another...

    Sorry to burst your bubble, If you put ANY engine in a car that it was not born with no matter if it's of the same brand or not, the car is in fact, modified and the engine does not make the car that brand. Of course he doesn't customize a Duesey or historical car as he is not an idiot. A Toro is far from rare or desirable to most. I love 'em but see no problem in doing a custom. The Buick has a special place in Jays heart It was his 1st car and it far nicer than Buick ever made it and it's not a rare car either.

    I can see Jay doing a pure resto car show if he desired, but I suspect he just wants to enjoy the fruits of his labor. I could see his show being some comedy and lots of technical car guy styled builds.

  10. Yup, manufactured drama! The Monkey guys just can't seem to install a headliner in any car they do. Is the upholstery lady not able to look up? They just annoy me now with the manufactured antics. The cars are more set pieces than the focus.

    Floyd Cotterpin was an a**hole needlessly and his cars became the same thing over and over again. At one time he had skills but then it only became drama. No wonder he died early.

  11. post-31565-143142479755_thumb.jpg

    1959 Ford Fairlane Galaxie 500 Skyliner retractable hardtop, Cruise-O-Matic transmission, Wimbleton white with blue interior. 3:11 diff. w/31 spline axels

    Truly rust free Colorado car. Absolutely complete! Rockers, floors and trunk are solid. Body is straight with a few hail dents here and there. All trim is complete. Top works fine but needs adjustments. I have installed a 10 position switch to operate any solenoid individually. Has the rare factory optional "Flying Ellipse" hood ornament. It also has optional reverse lights, "day/nite" mirror, seat belts front/rear, stainless steel skirts and a trailer hitch with a flat 4 connector. Original interior except carpet has been replaced. Everything works! This car is a fine example to drive as it is or give it a complete restoration.

    The diff has a chipped tooth so it whines, easy fix. The top stops halfway down due to a broken wire which is also an easy fix. There is a switch I installed in the door jamb to operate all solenoids independently which will allow it go fully up and down.

    NOTE: The rear bumper guards, hand controls and under dash record player shown in the photos are not included!

    New:

     Brakes

     Shocks

     3 core radiator

     High volume water pump

     Belts/hoses

     Battery

     Fan shroud and flex fan

     Motor mounts,

     Tires

     Master cylinder

     Door seals

     Top and trunk seals

     Windshield and gasket

    REBUILT:

     Entire front end (every bushing/bearing and seal).

     Original power steering system

     Original 352cid 4V (Rebuilt 7k ago) Incl. original 4V Ford carb and new Edelbrock installed

     Original 3sp Cruise-O-Matic transmission (rebuilt 7k ago)

     Driveshaft

     Generator

     Starter

     Power steering pump

    Serious buyers only PLEASE!

    $23,500 or I may consider interesting trades. Amphicars, Odd cars, micro-cars, pre-1972 convertibles. Send photos and details.

    303-868-8384 (text ok)

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  12. We use the heat gun or torch method with great success. Be careful and you will make quick work of it. If it's not really hard the needle scalers will only beat it down, but not remove. They work ok if it's brittle enough.

  13. I know of a '65 Cadillac station wagon. What can anyone tell me about them? I believe it was a Hess & Eisenhardt build. From what I have found, only 6 were built and in 2 body styles. This one is just sitting outside, but does not look to be forgotten. It is in great shape, possibly road-worthy. It is pictured in a couple places on the web (below is one of the pics), I'm hoping the current owner will let her go. By coincidence, I was just at the Denver Forney transportation museum to look at the only (and last by Hess & Eisenhardt) 1966 Cadillac wagon built. Now there are 2 Caddy wagons in Denver! As an aside, I happened to find a pic of the 1965 Cadillac tow truck my dad used in the 70s to repo cars with.

    Any info on any that may have been sold? or maybe a value? It's a tough one to be sure.

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  14. Years ago in my 1st 1966 Cadillac convertible, the pitman arm broke sending us into an oak tree at 35mph. My friend Matt who had lost a leg when he was 15 was in the back seat. The force pushed his prosthetic under the front seat, tossing him forward breaking the knee. He got out of the car as the cops got there and saw Matt trying to walk with his leg swinging back and forth. The one cop turned grey and panic set it. He is screaming at Matt telling him he's in shock and needs to sit down. Matt calmly looks at him and said "it's OK, I have another one at home" It took me several minutes to convince the cop he really was OK.

    I have been paralyzed for 32 years now. I've been restoring Amphicars for 12 years. I do 97% of my work alone. I find more often than not people spend more time trying to help me do what I'm doing instead doing what needs to be done by them. I have used my hoist to lift me into the rafters to install an air hose reel. I stacked couch cushions on my bed so I could crawl up onto a chest of drawers to install a ceiling fan. An old roommate lifted me onto an old pop machine to do another ceiling fan for him (he had a fear of electricity). On my riding mower, I have Velcro on my boots for keeping my feet on my Harley's floorboards and more on the mower's clutch. I push on my knee to actuate the mower's clutch when I mow or have to use the blade. I drove my 1969 Bonneville to Montana and back using a tube from my vacuum as hand controls. So many other examples as well. My point is there is a way around EVERYTHING! I may not always be quick or graceful, but I do get it done.

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