Making Waves with his Amphicar

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Right: The Amphicar drives into the water from a regular boat ramp.

making waves AMPHICAR OWNER GREGG SYDENSTRICKER ENJOYS A LITTLE SPLASH in his life. So, if he asks you to go for a ride in his vehicle, you may want to change into your bathing suit, toss in a life preserver, and pack the Dramamine, since his brightblue 1967 Amphicar is designed to not only dodge potholes on roadways but also small whitecaps on water excursions.

The Amphicar, as its name suggests,

figure. One month later, after getting

in the water. Sydenstricker says the

the finances together, Sydenstricker

Amphicar was built to skim along at 7

purchased it; he’s only the third owner

knots or up to 70 miles/hour, depending

of the car, which still boasts its original

upon the “driving” surface. That’s also

interior.

how it came by the moniker, “the Model 770.”

Sydenstricker’s fascination with the 10 years old and spied one drive out of

the water, 20 people are suddenly

the water and up onto Port Herman

clustered around me asking questions.” favor for some classic car enthusiasts,

adult he remained smitten with the

but it’s not for everyone. “The

memory of the quirky vehicle. Seems

maintenance is high and you’d better be

Sydenstricker was destined to eventually

a mechanic [he is] if you buy one that

own one himself, since several years ago

you want to keep running,”

he and his wife spotted the ’67 model

Sydenstricker says. Upon making his

while they were attending a car show in

purchase, he replaced all the rubber

Kahunaville.

seals, gaskets, and chrome and then had

business card.” He called the owner back a year later to inquire about the

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It definitely has the fun factor in its

mark on his young mind, and as an

Sydenstricker, “but he gave me his

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world,” he says. “Guess I’m a show-off.

When I’m at the boat ramp putting it in

“The owner wasn’t selling,” says

What does he like about his dream come true? “It’s the coolest thing in the

convertible car/boat began when he was

Beach. That image made an indelible

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Amphicar again and was told to name a

is amphibious—at home on the road and

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it stripped down to remove all rust before having it repainted.

The previous owner had kept it out of the water, but Sydenstricker had other

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feature ) ) ) amphicar

with his amphicar WRITTEN BY Kim Klugh

summer 2009 |

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) ) ) amphicar

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Across top: The Amphicar drives out of the water.

Left: Original identification plate from Sydenstricker’s 1967 Lagoon Blue Amphicar.

Bottom left: Gregg Sydenstricker and family pose with the Amphicar.

plans. After its overhaul, he took it for a test ride at Anchor Marina in Northeast, Md., and found it to be seaworthy. Now he takes it on the road five to six times a year to car shows and says that he hauls it on a trailer for the long trips.

He left St. Anthony, in the hills of Kaolin, Pa., with a big trophy presented for People’s Choice in June of 2007. Last summer he made four trips to the Chesapeake Bay for waterfront fun. He also gives rides at retirement homes and participates in local parades. “I usually attend one major event a year, but I never put it in at the ocean— freshwater only. And it’s never sunk,” he says.

Celina, Ohio, hosts annual swim-ins at the Celina Lake Festival, and Sydenstricker has taken his Amphicar to that event as well.

Imagine the stir 60-70 Amphicars make as they wield their way down Celina’s streets, like one long serpentine creature lured by the lake, to take a collective plunge.

Sydenstricker was also one of 22 drivers who converged in Taunton, Mass., during the summer of 2008 for the swim-in at Lake Sabbatia. News had spread of the upcoming “splash down,” and Good Morning America had its camera crew set up to film the flotilla of cars for national coverage.

Sydenstricker is a member of Amphicar International and says he’s one of 600-700

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feature ) ) ) amphicar

Bottom left, from top: Original interior and life preserver; engine that is in the side-opening rear; storage in front.

Below: Rear view showing propellers.

owners whose car still functions in

According to information posted on

water. During the years 1961-1968

the International Amphicar Owner’s

there were only 3,878 Amphicars built,

Club website, the car is powered by an

all in Germany, after being designed by

1147cc English Triumph-Herald four-

Hanns Trippel, an engineer who worked

cylinder rear engine; the hull or bottom

with amphibious landing craft during

is completely sealed up. Prior to taking

WWII.

off down the boat ramp, the driver locks

Three thousand of those vehicles

the two doors with a lever that ensures a

made their way to the United States,

watertight seal. The drain plug for the

where the intention was for them to be

bilge and the rear engine compartment

marketed as “dual-purpose recreational

must also be secured before entering the

vehicles,” and sales brochures described

water.

them as “cars that swim.” They were

Once you’re in, a small stick shift on

offered in only four colors: Beach Sand

the floor engages the dual propellers of

White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, and

the water drive; the land transmission’s

Fjord Green (aqua) and remain the only

stick shift is put into neutral. The front

civilian amphibious passenger

wheels act as rudders, the steering wheel

automobile ever to be mass produced.

is used in the same way as on the road,

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Oak Leaf puts the GREAT in Grandma!

Amphicars in all colors converge on Lake Sabbatia in Taunton, Mass., during the summer of 2008 swim-in, where Sydenstricker was one of 22 Amphicar drivers.

and the accelerator designates the speed. The land brakes will not work in boat mode; the propellers are thrown into reverse instead.

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Sydenstricker says that since the car has gained in value, a basic fixer-upper comes with a price tag of $20,000-$22,000, while $50,000 is the asking price for one that’s ready to float or drive. As for Sydenstricker, his Amphicar is priceless; he’s living his dream—floating his boat and making waves far and wide. ) ) )