Rob Vondracek, a retired building contractor who now lives near Phoenix, has owned European sports cars. But his automotive passion is focused on the Amphicar—a vehicle designed to drive on the road or swim on water. The amphibious vehicle was produced in Germany between 1961 and 1969, with most of the units sold in the United States. Vondracek bought about 20 Amphicars over the past dozen years—finding many of them on eBay—but he now owns a single gorgeous red 1963 example.
Two Amphicars recently sold on eBay—a 1965 aqua blue model with an astoundingly low 146 original miles, and a rare right-hand-drive 1967 mint green version.
Vondracek maintains both a car registration and a boat registration for his 1963 Amphicar in Arizona, a state known for scorching hot deserts. There are also plenty of nearby lakes to cruise on, including Saguaro Lake. Vondracek notes that the car tightly seals and is very stable in the water. “The performance of the Amphicar is incredible,” he said. “It is ultra safe in the water, practically unsinkable with the top up.”
Vondracek not only loves Amphicars, he started a crusade to preserve them via his website, All Things Amphicar - opens in new window or tab.. He bought his first one in the 1980s for less than $9,000. While working as a contractor, he continued to pursue his Amphicar hobby—buying and selling them on the side. Vondracek says that parts are easily available for the cars, but the transmission is a unique item that can prove difficult to locate.
Approximately 4,500 Amphicars were produced, and according to Vondracek, there are about 2,000 still in use. Of the balance, he figures 1,500 have been used as donors for parts. And the remaining 1,000? He believes that many are stored and forgotten in a garage, with the owner not realizing what they have. President Lyndon B. Johnson famously owned an Amphicar. Madonna reportedly owns one now.
Vondracek has seen the price of the Amphicars wildly fluctuate over the years. Of the two fine examples sold on eBay, the 1965 model received 32 bids carried to just over $25,000—while the 1967 Amphicar had a Buy-It-Now price of just below $90,000. For Vondracek, it’s not about an investment or about the many practical uses of a vehicle that can traverse land or sea. As he states on his website: “The Amphicar is only good for one thing: fun.”
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.