Amphicar BUYER Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I just completed the purchase of 2 Amphicars that have spent the last almost 30 years sitting in ..... (drum roll)... a barn! This is the 3rd time I have bought 2 Amphicars together and the 3rd time in Texas. One of a pair I bought a few years ago was literally from the jaws of the crusher. The guy was ready to start the crusher with an Amphicar in it and he decided to call me because he just couldn't do it. WHEW! This time the Amphicars were "rusting in peace" just yards away from the lake they swam in for years. All could see of them were the sides as they were the foundation for a pile of stuff years in the making. I'll post pics once I can get them scanned. My favorite sellers are the ones that don't have a computer or a digital camera. They are easier to deal with and haven't called 36 other people playing games trying to get a war started. He knew what he wanted, "no haggling, no BS" as he put it. A fair price and a nice couple to boot. We spent hours on the phone talking about many things.I'll be having them delivered by the end of April. There will be more to this part of the story after the pieces come together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Congrats, John. I can remember seeing one of these huddled by the side of a house, half tarped for years in the late 70s to early 80s - in the same neighborhood there was a one owner '56 Chevy we were all chasing through high school. (I ultimately got that car, when the older guy who bought it from the original owner go laid off..) I don't think anyone of my pals knew the potential the Amphicar car had back in the day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dminer Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Ever come across any Schwimmwagens? I hope I'm not offending the Amphicar by posting this here. I saw one when I was a kid in Virginia and have wanted one since. I like the Amphicar website. The 'rolling top' with photos is really cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I remember one that a guy used to use to go fishing in, on a small lake in Northern Ontario (Canada). The doors were fibreglassed shut to keep the water one. The last time I saw it was about 20 years ago, I have no idea what happened to it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Ever come across any Schwimmwagens? I hope I'm not offending the Amphicar by posting this here. I saw one when I was a kid in Virginia and have wanted one since. I like the Amphicar website. The 'rolling top' with photos is really cool!I would love to find a schwimmwagen! I have heard that there are probably only a handful in the USA and I have only seen one in person. You won't offend me unless you try much harder. I used to do the website for the club. I took it from 8 pages to about 100+ and now Larry the current web dude has done well with the remake. Next time I speak with him I'll pass on your compliment. Its a tough job that few can fully appreciate how much effort and time it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandiebal Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Wow! Congrats to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 John, isn't there a law against owning too many Amphicars ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Ok where are the photos? A story like this you have to have some photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bofusmosby Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Congrats John! I can't wait to see the photos!BTW, I saw an episode on the National Geographic channel the other day, and they were restoring one of these. Did you happen to see it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Tierney Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Saw one sitting in a local shop here (NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR), probably last year, and haven't been back since; was partially under tarp, as I recall, and commented on it, but don't recall if shop owner said was his or not.What could see looked nice, but didn't really pay that much attention. Pass the place all the time, could inquire if you'd like. Bud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 John, isn't there a law against owning too many Amphicars ?I sure hope not! I try to adopt them out to good homes when I can. It's a "no kill" shelter. Does that help?Congrats John! I can't wait to see the photos!BTW, I saw an episode on the National Geographic channel the other day, and they were restoring one of these. Did you happen to see it?Per your request, here are pictures of the pictures I have. (no scanner)I have not seen the entire episode but I know of the story of that car. It was done about 4 years ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bofusmosby Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 After they restored the car, they put it up on the auction block with a reserve of 75K. The car didn't sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 After they restored the car, they put it up on the auction block with a reserve of 75K. The car didn't sell.That's because it was poorly done and a hack job. MAYBE worth $40k at the time. less now because of the quality of "restoration" $75k would be top tier... at big auction.... at the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 They look like a great find. Is that original paint! Good luck with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I got called out with our tow truck one time to get a 57 Chev that looked just like these cars. I hooked the sling to the back of the Chev and started to lift it up, the cable creaked and creaked finally the car came up. I thought wow these old car are heavy. As I stared to tow it across town the front tires of the tow truck were barely touching the ground to the point I was driving as slowly as I could. I only had to go a few miles. When I dropped off the car it went right down to the axel. I asked the new owner if he could unlock the trunk...it was completely full of old nuts and bolts! Must have been 2 to 3 thousand pounds of steel, the new owner did not know about. Never sure what you might get with your new old car.Congratulations they will be great projects, send more pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 (snip)... I asked the new owner if he could unlock the trunk...it was completely full of old nuts and bolts! Must have been 2 to 3 thousand pounds of steel, the new owner did not know about. Never sure what you might get with your new old car.Congratulations they will be great projects, send more picturesI'd love all those nuts and bolts! They can be very expensive! I will have more photos next week after they arrive. Everybody will get a chance to see them as they will be featured on the A&E show "Shipping Wars." I can't say much more than that until the show airs. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Some pictures of them now that they have arrived. The TV show "Shipping Wars" filmed their whole trip from Texas to here in Colo. The guy who delivered them was the typical narcistic, self absorbed, thinks he is the star of the show type. He was not the "star" in a show about shipping it's the cargo that is the star not him. Had he been delivering boxes of frozen veggies, he would have no show. Ahhh, reality TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Nice, John, How about some pictures of the teardrop. Do you use it or is it excess? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bofusmosby Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Looking good John! I can't wait to see photos of your progress. What kind of condition are they in, mechanical wise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 John, Re: "He was not the "star", I bet that you didn't complain when they described the load as very rare $100,000 cars. (;-) Probaly not exactly what they said, but on a reality show , I wouldent put it past them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Keep us informed as to when your episode runs. I watched the program once and thought never again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 I don't know much about their conditions internally yet. They have kept been inside since about 1980. The "Ugly Duckling" as my girlfriends 8 yr old named it was last ran in the early 90s and looks like it still could. The green "Slime" as my GFs 6 yr old named it, it complete and the body is in good shape (in Amphicar terms) and it will make a great car to restore. Both will be for sale soon. I haven't had much time to really go over them as I am fighting a nasty cold. I sound like I'm going through puberty again! This timing was perfect for TV! :eek: :cool: I'll post something once I know when it will run. Sometime is August-ish probably."Reality" TV is "adjusted reality" for consumer entertainment. I personally know several people who were on reality shows and family who work behind the scenes so I have insight into the industry that most don't. Maybe Roy is a different guy when cameras aren't around but I doubt it. They have to have many of the usual suspects for drama. The hot chick, the jerk, the rookie and the nice guy among others.Here is a pic of my 1964 California Teardrop as requested. Excess? What's that? It is on my short list of "to do" I'm going to restore it with some modern touches (small LCDTV, music and comfy bed) so when we go to car shows the kiddos have a safe place to play and hang out out of the sun. I have a 1963 Heilite tent trailer I'm giving to the Forney museum in Denver as a "thank you" for taking great care of my survivor Amphi for the last 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 (edited) Got the yellow car running. It runs nice! All it needed was a battery, good gas and a tuneup. Not bad after sitting for 25+ years. Now to see what condition the green one is in...BOTH ARE FOR SALE! With a little work, they will be for sail soon too! Edited April 26, 2012 by Amphicar BUYER (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncgirl05 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 We just saw the episode of "Shipping Wars" that featured your cars. As soon as the cars were being delivered we saw you and said "That's the guy from the AACA forum!!" Did you know when you were looking for a shipping company that you would be featured in the show or did you find out after the fact? I always wondered how that worked out.Did you ever get the green car running? This thread seems to have ended abruptly.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now