Developed over a period of 15 years at cost of $25 million, the Amphicar debuted at the 1961 New York International Auto Show as the first fully amphibious vehicle sold to the public. On land, the Amphicar drove like any other small European automobile of the day, with a rear-mounted Triumph four-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels. Special watertight seals in the doors could be locked in place, along with the front luggage lid and the car could be driven slowly right into the water. With the throw of a lever, the engine’s power would then be directed to dual rear nylon propellers. The front wheels would serve as rudders for steering.

A special two-part transmission built by Italian manufacturer Hermes, also called HISA, allowed the wheels and propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously. On land, a four-speed manual gearbox similar to those found in Volkswagen Beetles channeled power to the rear wheels. In the water, a two-speed unit unique to the Amphicar featured single forward and reverse gears, much as on conventional boats. For returning to shore, both the rear-wheel-drive and the propeller drive could be operated at the same time.

The Amphicar had a top speed of around 7 mph on water and 70 mph on land, hence the “770” designation. Said to be the most successful amphibious car ever produced, about 3,878 were built from 1961 through 1968 in Lübeck, Germany, with final assembly in Berlin, according to the International Amphicar Owners Club. Of those, 3,046 are said to have been imported into the United States from 1961 to 1967.

This Lagoon Blue Amphicar is said to be one of very few right-hand-drive examples believed to remain in the United States, making it eminently collectible. As with many vehicles in the Sony Schwartz collection, it presents well with signs of gentle use. With its amphibious capabilities and attractive presentation, it is a wonderful novelty for any collector to enjoy on both land and water.