Amphicar BUYER

I hate the one where they guys fat girlfriend in a too small bikini draped all over the car. eww! Last year I saw what was described as a Mercedes wagon, but has a wagon shaped lump of snow as a photo. The MG up on the hill, way in the background of a family portrait was for sale Or the "I'll post a photo later" and later never happened Title said "1995 Tahoe - Never let us down!" but the photo was of it on a roll back truck. Hummm? The single photo of a 1977 450SL under a 450SL shaped tarp. The Jeep clearly buried above the tires in mud but described as "never off roaded"

This could get fun!!!

This is a huge problem in our hobby (and business), this stupid, immature and sometimes volatile idea of the "us and them" mentality between the purists and customizes. It is divisive and petty. There is plenty of room for both. I love a correct resto (prefer original survivors) but I also love a well done custom. The thing is that they both do the same thing, they save old cars from ending up being a gas cap for a Yugo. I have seen custom guys get very angry at restorers and visa-versa. A car rodded is saved just as a car restored is saved. If we all just realized the common thread is THE CARS! Work towards a world where a rod can sit next to a resto, they drink from the same gas pump, they both have histories and stories. Restorations are often looked at by the younger crowd as only grandma's car, not art or history. Resto and Rod lives matter!

When I was the webmaster / President and Treasurer for the International Amphicar Owners Club (www.amphicar.com) I initiated a "members only" section with some pages that had members roster, technical information available only there, the newsletter (where the members only password was found) and some other interesting info in an effort to encourage membership. I can tell you that membership was at an all time high. I don't know where it is at the moment, but I can say that when I was on the board we had 63 Amphicars at the club meet in Ohio, last meet had <20, the forums used to be a hopping place, now it's very slow and random. So it is important to offer all the perks you can within reason of course. The forums are a great free-bee to get folks in and then offer something besides just a newsletter to keep them. I don't know if they still do it, but we had a small give away ea year at Xmas time. I personally made 350 polished aluminum bilge pump spouts. Ea member got one. There was a nice tree ornament, custom trans dipstick, "Amphicar" flag among others. Exciting times.

I personally had a 1966 Cadillac rag top that was stolen. Returned to me a year later. It even had a new state of Co title. As the car was mine before it was stolen, it and all parts and work put into it was still mine no matter who "owned" it or whether or not I had registration and paperwork. The car was mine when it was stolen, still mine even though it was sold 3 times, still mine even with a new state issued title. The last guy who paid for a title search and did all the correct legal stuff to obtain a new title had a issue withe the sate. I do not know how that turned out. I know when he tried to sue me for the work he put into the car, the court said no matter what, the car, it's components and all associated labor was still mine.

I've been a HAMB member several times, the powers there didn't like my opinions and with his panties all wadded up, he has tossed me 5x so far. I change the IP and boom, back in until he figures out it's me... lather ... rinse ... repeat. I have to say that most there are OK folks, but the Admin is a ____ who thinks he's funny or powerful with his attitude. I'm not bothered by him at all, I do get a great laugh every time she ... ummm he boots me and says I'll be reinstated "NEVER" which for an IT guy like myself is about 5 mins. Mooo bwa ha ha ha!

If you are going to disagree with something I said (that is certainly OK with me), please use it in the proper context, by not omitting the qualifier which denote context. Also please do not put words in my mouth (this is not OK). I did not say nor imply they didn't love their cars nor did I say or imply they were not involved or knowledgeable. Just about everything you said is added by you, not from me. That is also not OK. To be clear, what I said was "A club for the regular guy who spent 5 -10 years restoring his car himself, not for the guy with deep pockets who merely wrote the check and yet feels it's OK to take credit for the restoration."

My example was not an illustration about this forum or any other. I was a commentary of club mentality as a whole. McHinson and I have had respectful and polite conversations about this because we are both mature adults who can allow the other to have an opinion that may or may not align with each other's and not take it personally. This is the crux of the overall problem, those that feel that they are somehow above the rest of us try as they may all they can to keep that illusion alive. Their efforts only serve to further cement the poor opinions that other have of them. My experience with the one club I gave my all (and more) to without expecting anything but an occasional "thanks" in return for those efforts was one that soured me on clubs just as I am on organized religion. Hypocritical narcissists in charge only there to serve themselves and not for the good of the club are why some (especially the Amphicar club with a few very notable exclusions) clubs just die. We fought to get the IAOC back in order and then to keep it casual, not focusing on correct or concourse level cars, but to focus on the regular folk who love the cars for what they are and what to do (beyond the swimming aspect). One guy felt that his want to make these cars for the elite was more important than what most of us wanted, to preserve, LOVE, enjoy and SHARE the experience that only an Amphicar can provide. A club for the regular guy who spent 5 -10 years restoring his car himself, not for the guy with deep pockets who merely wrote the check and yet feels it's OK to take credit for the restoration. This elitist attitude is a self destructive scourge that once again, took down what once was the best club ever, with tons of participation (63 Amphicars in attendance when I was president to <30 after). It took many to make it great and a few to make it fail. The AACA forums are open to all, the vast majority are regular folk and sadly we have been issued a small number of the narcissistic bullies that feel their wants supersede those of everyone. I can voice my opinion here and generally not be concerned. This time I know that the guilty person I speak of knows who he is and so do most others. I will not mention names because this is not about them, it's about who they represent and the results of their actions. They want it to be members only to further close the gates on the regular folk, to massage their egos and reinforcing their narcissistic ways. It really is pathetic. SO in short, keep the forums open to all, offer special services to members but do not exclude the non-members as ea one is a potential member if treated with an open hand extended in friendship rather than treat them as a annoyance or a bother.

I don't see why you feel this way. No manufactured TV drama, rarely discusses the money paid and why shouldn't he make money on the deals? Should he just do it for free? (would you?) It is a business, not a charity. It is certainly better then the ass monkey garage type shows, that are manufactured drama, piece of crap, amateurishly built cars that they couldn't be bothered to install headliners in, sold (allegedly) for big money. These guys are what is hurting the hobby, not somebody like Wayne. I get sick and tired of people who think because I got a $10k car for $5k that somehow I'm supposed to sell it for the $5k. What I paid for something has no bearing on it's value. What I sell it for is what determines it's value.

I was fortunate enough to get a ride in one (1914 Bearcat) that allegedly was an INdy race car. Something about going 100mph, no doors, seatbelts, windshield or much in the way of brakes that was exhilarating!

1964 Olds Jetstar 88 convert. Drove it for 18 years after that

With all due respect, the "Rude" part is that posts were censored (deleted) without explanation nor warning. Calling the OP "Rude" because he used an option that was available. If you don't want polls, turn that feature off. Simply because my posts were negative, they vanished. I posted an honest answer and they were deleted. I know the real reason and who is behind it. Keep your head in the sand all you like, but this is one of many reasons that many do not join clubs. Ignoring or censoring the posts do nothing but reinforce my observations rather that using the information to help fix the problem. The forums are awesome and I applaud the effort it takes. I appreciate being here and I have great respect for the admins position. Lighten up, stop catering to a few instead of the many.

My honest and heartfelt posts were both deleted because they "offended" somebody. I have yet to be informed of why. This is EXACTLY why I do not join clubs. Illustrated clearly by the deletions. I suspect this one will also have a short life. There are too many people who are so full of themselves for any club to last long. I was not looking for sympathy (that can be found in the dictionary between syphilis and shit in case you were wondering), but merely illustrating why people do not generally join clubs. While I have a great respect for the admins of this forum, the deletion of posts (A.K.A. CENSORSHIP) that do not fit into someones agenda proves that my comments while honest, can not be tolerated. This is one reason our country is going the way it is. Nobody can take honesty and everyone is so afraid to be offended that they just can't be mature. Well I say Too bad! Grow up and man up for crying out loud! No worries, this post will also disappear soon like the rest and no explanation will be given and without the negative, but honest experiences deleted you all can feel that the world is a utopia much like living in N. Korea. You will see what the power that be want you to see and nothing more.The PMs I received confirm that I am far from the only one who feels this way. I am the only one who speaks up about the censorship.

To clear up some myths that about Amphicars trhat never seem to go away. Amphicars are NOT a calm water boat. I have had mine in 5'+ rolling waves without any problem, in fact is was a blast! With the top and windows up it sheds 95% of the water that comes over it. Two Amphicars crossed the English channel in 1968 in gale force winds and 20' (yes, 20 foot) waves. Keep in mind and Amphicar is 14' long. They may only sport 43HP on land (9.9hp in the water), they have plenty of power. Not to be confused with speed which they lack. I have towed a 30' cabin cruiser (in the water) with mine. They are capable of climbing a 43 degree incline in 1st (yes I have done this). It would have no problem pulling this camper at all. If an Amphicar owner tells you they require "extremely high maintenance" then they have not maintained or restored their car properly! I restored my driver Amphi in 1999 and have since put 9000+ miles on the road (engine and trans have never been rebuilt) and another 650 hours in the water. It never fails to start and has left me on the side of the road when the clutch cable broke, when the new electronic ign died and a flat tire. It can sit for 6 months and with a flick of the key, it will sit and purrrrrrrr. I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere. In fact just last weekend mine was on the beach during a tornado, and not only was it the cleanest it's been in weeks, it fired right up after 4" of rain was driven into it, top down! (yes the bilge pump kept it from filling up). Power wash of epic proportions! It requires you to do the same maintenance as any older car. (change fluids etc) and if you hit all 16 zerks a couple times a year for one that is swam regularly, you will have no problems. These are all things that are constantly being repeated since the 1960s and are not true at all. They are a far better car than they are credited for. Some have many issues and not one of those that I have seen showed signs of regular maintenance. My friend Dave March does build a moder FAST amphibious car. Check out www.watercar.com

I forgot to add, I was pleasantly surprised at the power vent windows too. The only thing more exciting is to see the switches you come up with. Now you will have to engineer a tiny little human to operate them!

(stunned silence, mouth open, no appropriate words available)

I've collected a few myself, They almost always have the handy carrying case they came with. ;-)

Bore-o-scope for your phone is only $40...

"Well, nothing is written in stone (if that's the right expression). The idea of light into the interior with led lamps is someting to think about it." I know you don't have much to do so why not add one more thing? (I'm just kidding you!)

That is if you title them in your name. I leave it as an "open title" so who has title in hand, owns the car.

Necessity? That's ironic considering the lengths you have gone to during this build. :-) Are working windows and seats a necessity? No, but damn they are beyond amazing! There are no words that properly convey how impressed I am with EVERY detail, seen or unseen in this build which is a true masterpiece! Make no mistake, this is a true masterpiece of the highest magnitude!! Courtesy lights would be handy while on display, the car in subdued lighting with the interior lit up would be spectacular and with today's super small LEDs, it could be done.

It depends on what you expect for a wage and the level you will perform at. The upside is that you are selling a car as-is and without any expectations placed on you by the customer during the build. Will you have the funds to purchase the car and do the work to a level that will sell for enough of a profit to satisfy you? Do you have the place, tools and most importantly, the skills to do this? What are the laws in your area regarding this type of business? I know a guy in Canada who does this but without the required certifications. If anything goes wrong, he will be held responsible personally. He already had to buy back a car he restored due to some safety issues and not having the proper certifications and the owner was an attorney so that was not a help to him. Lots to ask and anticipate. It can be done, but is the downside a deal breaker? I can say that the only way to make money restoring a car is to restore other people's cars but then you have to deal with .... (drum roll) people! I just spent $4000+ on an attorney to force a crap customer to take their car back mid-restoration and lost 10 years of storage fees in the process. I took on the job 13 years ago and stopped and started the job many times by customer request. Now he is at end of life and his wife who had NOTHING to do with the job (was never there, never asked a single question) demanded that I complete the job for the same price I quoted 13 years ago. Not happening for m,any reasons! These are the things to consider and I'm sure more from other readers in this forum.

There used to be a chromer in Denver (Ajax) that when you brought anything to him he would lay them out and take a picture. That went with a check-in sheet that he used to follow the parts thru the process and finally upon pickup he would check them off as you inspected them. I never lost a single screw with them, not even a single vent window button (1/8" x 1/4" in size). Time and effort well invested. Thanks to the EPA, they as well as every other one here is now out of business. Closest one is Utah.

^^^^ That is his way of making sure his jobs pay the most. I don't feel it's his place to tell you what skills you have. If you scratch the paint during assy, he'll get the job of repairing it so it's a win for him. I did everything on my restos except upholstery and paint/body. That's not my expertise and I don't have the place for it so I pay those that can do the job to do it while I'm doing the rest. I'd disassemble the car and get it into paint, take the upholstery to my other guy so they can be ready by the time I am ready for them. Then it all comes together nicely. Find a place that works with you, not against you. Don't let them tell you how to do the job. They should do as you ask and be thankful, not try to take over the job.

I am an awe and anticipation of seeing the unbelievable working windows and seats. Some of my 1:1 scale cars don't even have that! ;-)