I'm undertaking the challenge myself and have chosen a 4X4 Geo Tracker as the
donor car. This is basically the same Suzuki that Dutton used as a base for his
Amphijeep.
www.amphijeep.biz He is now selling that as a kit again, roughly
18K US plus donor & shipping. I'll be doing a "Monster Garage" hack as I'm also
saving for my kids college funds and I like the challenge of the build. I have
considered and still consider restoring an Amphi but usually talk myself out of
it because I'd feel a need to respect the rarity of the machine and don't know
if I could afford to do it right.
I originally had ideas (pipe dreams) of getting the machine to plane on water
and climb up on sand banks and islands in the Mississippi but after a ride in an
Amphi with Eric Mattlin (Thanks again!) at the last "Swim with Dave" I
recognized some of my folly and better appreciated the beauty of the Amphicar.
Great machine.
I've adjusted my goals and am considering lengthening the front of the Tracker
to afford more buoyancy and overcome the front engine dilemma. More room for
plumbing etc. wouldn't hurt either. Speed on the water is kind of over-rated,
cruising with friends is probably more my style. I would like to be able to go
upstream at a good clip though.
I am considering a 4" lift on the body and incorporating low-rider suspension to
raise the wheels and reduce drag in the water, but unless I can clean the hull
up significantly like the Water car
www.watercar.com , planing just isn't
reasonable. The Watercar has a good deal more horse power too. I'm still
weighing the pro's and con's of Props vs Jet(s). Many questions will be
answered (and new ones revealed!) after the body comes off.
I bought my donor car 18 months ago and hope to tear into it this winter. The
wife wanted and got a different house and my shop had to be rebuilt before any
big project could take shape. I've learned it is best to keep the gals as happy
as possible when you undertake projects where your sanity is questioned. I don't
expect to be swimming for another couple years but it should keep me home and
mostly out of trouble. Hope you get many opportunities to get your tires wet !
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Gilbert [mailto:Crazson34@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 9:25 AM
To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [amphicar-lovers] can anybody help? how to convert konvensional car
to amphibian?
Also, don't make the mistake that was made on one of the episodes of Monster
Garage where they made an attempt at building an amphibious car and left the
engine in the front of the car and the faster they went, the more the front
nosedived. I have often wondered if a corvair would make a good amphibious
car. 130 hp. already in the rear sure makes one think. Bobby
>From: "WB6WSN" <wb6wsn@cox.net>
>Reply-To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
>To: <amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [amphicar-lovers] can anybody help? how to convert
>konvensional car to amphibian?
>Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 01:34:25 -0800
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Afirmanda
> To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:40 AM
> Subject: [amphicar-lovers] can anybody help? how to convert
>konvensional car to amphibian?
>
>
>
>
> hi, i'm affim. i life in indonesia. i couldn't found amphicar in my
> country. i often seen amphicar for sale at internet, but in indonesia
> is difficult procedure with custom. i always dream have one, but
> impossible in this third world country. i have a honda sedan 1985 and
> a mitsubishi truck ps120. Any body know how/the tips to modified
> these car to amphibian?? help please
>
> thank you
>
> affim
>
>
>
>
>There are two paths to amphibious adventure; brute force cash and sweat
>equity. The two extreme examples of this are the Aquada and the Cuban
>Buick.
>
>In any 3rd-world country, there are a very few of the elite who can
>afford even the most exotic of toys. However, have faith that whatever
>was accomplished under the economic conditions of Cuba could certainly
>be duplicated in Indonesia.
>
>Ed
>El Cajon, CA USA
>67 Rust Guppy
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