August — October, 2008 Issue #136

August — October, 2008
Issue #136
President’s Message
By Ron Green
I
t sure has been a busy summer with all the great swim-ins,
which, unfortunately, are winding down. As usual, Celina
was fun with 33 Amphis (no Fjord Green ones, unfortunately) in attendance and a World War II DUKW that tagged
along for the weekend. It has been extremely busy of late with Amphicar media requests. I thank everyone who has
stepped up and answered the call for the many shoots and interviews.
At the Celina board of directors meeting, I was nominated by the club officers to serve as IAOC president for a
two-year term (2009-2010); I accepted. The board will have Dave Chapman, Ed Price, Gloria Tiller, John Lambert,
and Mike Bayman each serving another two-year term. The terms of John Capone and Keith Mathiowetz will continue on until the end of 2009. I thank the board for entrusting me to this position. Having such a great group of club
officers will definitely make my job a lot easier. I will be serving only one term as president before slipping into the
aquatic abyss.
The IAOC swims-in donations have been a huge success; however, a few changes are currently being discussed among board members for 2009. After swim-in completion, the host will present receipts to the treasurer to
help determine the size of the donation. Typically, the donations have been in the $150-$250 range, depending on the
number of cars and members attending. A check will then be forwarded once the newsletter article is in hand. This
will help ensure that our members who are unable to attend will be able to read about the swim-in.
Recruitment letters have been sent to our old (ancient) list of members who haven’t renewed their membership
in many years. Our goal is to bring the total club membership to 400 or more.
Finally, I (we, actually) thank everyone for all the positive comments we’ve received regarding the direction
and the speed that the club is taking. It has taken a lot of hours and effort, and your board has done an excellent job
meeting the many tasks that have recently been completed. Please feel free to forward any thoughts, comments, or
ideas for the good of the cause, as they are always welcome.
International Amphicar Owners Club Board of Directors
Ron Green
President
1926 Princeton Avenue
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 17011-5400
greenr@mhs-pa.org 717-737-3879
John Lambert
Membership Chairman
19090 Hickory Ridge Road
Fenton, Michigan, 48430-8522
jlambertspc@aol.com 810-750-4967
Mike Bayman
Celina Coordinator
4372 West US Hwy. 36
Urbana, Ohio, 43078-9663
bayman4@ctcn.net 937-652-2505
John Capone
Treasurer
322 South Bluff Street
South Beloit, Illinois, 61080-1806
capon23@aol.com 847-533-7803
Keith Mathiowetz
Wheels –n– Waves Editor
E2315 County Road B
Scandinavia, Wisconsin, 54977
kcmath@tds.net 715-445-5387
Gloria Tiller
Celina Coordinator
7084 West F Avenue
Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49009-8862
read@kazoobooks.com 269-385-2665
David Chapman
Barley Orchard Tunnel Hill
Upton upon Severn
Worcestershire WR8 0QL
United Kingdom
david@avonlogic.com 44 1684 592985
Ed Price
Membership Registrar
1230 E. Madison Avenue
El Cajon, California 92021-6402
edprice@cox.net 619-440-2977
:
Current Membership:
380
2008 Membership Dues:
$30 U.S.A. currency for all countries
2
Amphi Antics in Canada
Story by Joanne Souter; photography by
IAOC members
O
rillia’s June 20-22 swim-in was, like
many others, not just a one-day
event. A few arrived on Tuesday
and set up camp on our property. Most longdistance travelers were here by Thursday,
and Friday’s plans were set for 12 Amphicars and their owners.
The participants travelled up the
highway about 20 miles to Gravenhurst; a
trip around Lake Muskoka was planned by
Larry and Cathy Sommers, but as the cars
Orillia host Gord Souter enjoys some Amphi action.
The group photo. Look at all those Amphis and happy campers!
got out into the water, a light
drizzle started, so we just
cruised the waterfront and
had a swim past the R.M.S.
Segwun, a large steamship
built in the mid 1800s and
still operating today. After
lunch, a tour was arranged
with Cathy Sommers (in period costume) of the Muskoka Boat and Heritage
Center, where there was a
special display of the Dispros, a canoe-like boat with
a single-cylinder motor in
the center and a propeller
and shaft that can be raised
in shallow water, hence the
name Disappearing Propeller
Boat.
Later, the sun came
out, and we took another
swim in Gull Lake at the
other end of Gravenhurst.
Afterwards, there was a high
3
speed race back to Orillia
for dinner, and then it was
on to the Friday-night cruise
with the local car club. A
few went for an evening
swim in Bass Lake.
On Saturday, after a
mad dash to fix a couple of
minor problems on a few
Amphis and greetings to the
late arrivals, a group photo
was taken. There were 18
cars for the photo, although
not all owners were present.
Twelve cars travelled off
with the Old Autos TV
Cruising around the R.M.S. Segwun.
crew and a reporter from the
Toronto Star newspaper to a
private ramp at Wasdell Falls,
then down river a few miles exiting just past Lock 42 in the
Trent Canal. Tommy and Lynne
from Tampa had never see the
locks, so we took them up close
for a photo shot. Maybe next
year we’ll plan a trip in them
again.
It was back to Orillia to
the port for a meet with the micro-car group, but the rain came
again, so we all headed back up
to Jeff Collins’ and Barb ArmAlthough there were clouds and some rain, the weather didn’t
strong’s place. We had a great
keep Amphicar owners from enjoying the water around Orillia.
barbeque dinner, despite the
rain, and Valerie Green and I did our best out in the downpour! We also celebrated Dustin Fenemore’s 13th birthday
with a cake. The rain continued all night, so our trip
on the Green River was put
off, although four cars did
venture into the high, fast
moving river in front of
Jeff’s place. Only John
Lambert had trouble exiting by hitting the dock.
Sunday morning, the few
who were still around went
for a swim on the Green
River, and then it was
homeward bound.
Thanks to all who
came; it was a blast, as alTop-down boating between the rain drops.
ways!
4
Honorary IAOC Memberships
Given to Celina & Eagles
By Ron Green
A
t the Celina swim-in, plaques (with model
Amphicars attached) were presented to
Mayor Sharon LaRue (on behalf of the City
of Celina) and representatives of the Eagles Post
#1291. This recognition was long overdue. Both the
City and the Eagles have made the IAOC part of their
family during the Lake Festival tradition.
Having had the opportunity to speak with
many of the citizens, a lot of positive comments were
directed towards our club. Please welcome our newest
members. We miss them already!
5
Story and photography by Victor and Carol Nelson
S
ince we are pretty much a laid-back group of amphibians here in Florida, three or four of us handle most of the
details. As a consequence, none of us managed to write up a report on the March 28-30 event that will henceforth be referred to as the Lake Dora Swim-In in Tavares.
Though a number of folks arrived on Friday, March 28, the big day would be Saturday of the scheduled weekend. My wife and I arrived Friday in the early afternoon.
Just like everyone else coming to this year’s show, we
were both excited and somewhat apprehensive about
just how well the new location would work out. We
knew that the town of Tavares, which is five miles from
Mount Dora, the event’s longtime home, was very anxious to have the show there. I had gone over to Tavares
several times as work progressed on the building of a
new boat ramp, but the real test would be in how the
overall location worked out and how well the ramp
worked.
For Carol and me, the real excitement began just
before we arrived at the show after having driven about
Our one white Amphi at Lake Dora.
50 miles from home at about 50 mph.. We were in the
process of circling Mount Dora and heading for the
campground. Carol was driving our 1948 woodie station wagon and following me while I towed the “Split Personality” behind our RV. I was aware that the Amphi had a front-wheel bearing that needed replacing. At this point in time,
I know quite a bit more about wheel bearings and that when you detect that one needs to be replaced, it is not something to put on the back burner. It was a gorgeous
sunny afternoon, and we were, in fact, just one mile
from the campground when over the walkie-talkie
Carol announced — more like yelled — that my
Amphicar wheel was smoking. I was towing it
backwards with our tow dolly as I had done thousands of miles before. Since we were so close to
our destination, I was going fairly slowly while I
looked for the campground entrance. I immediately
slowed down to 5 mph while I looked for a place
where I could get slightly off the road. Perhaps 20
seconds after the first message, while I was trying
to decide exactly what she had said, a second, more
commanding announcement boomed out, “Your
wheel just fell off!” I did not know precisely what
Steve Sell’s pretty two-tone car hits the waves.
the situation was, but the order of business was
now loud and clear, and I stopped within about six
feet. I got out and surveyed the situation and ascertained that the driver’s-side wheel was lying about 8 feet from the
wheel-less axle. The nut was still on the spindle, and there did not appear to be serious damage except that the Amphicar was obviously in some distress. On the phone, I called Gord Souter, who answered right away. After exchanging
6
greetings and his asking where we were and
why we weren’t there yet, I apprised him of our
situation. Gord is truly a Godsend, and I am just
another of the long list of Amphi owners who
appreciate what he does for us and our club. I
then took the woodie and the wheel and drove
the three miles to the swim-in site. Gord surveyed things, rounded up the necessary parts,
and he and I returned to the Amphicar where he
proceeded to turn the crippled animal into a capable Amphicar in about an hour. As my logbook tells me, the wheel took its vacation at
2:10 p.m., and we were actually back in business at 4:30. Would you call that service?
As to the swim-in, Florida lived up to its
reputation for the eleventh year in a row. We
The “Split Personality” in the large Amphicar area
next to the boat ramp.
The beautiful big new boat ramp with a long string of
Amphicars approaching it.
towed upright to the ramp and then up the ramp
where it remained out of the way nearby as an object
of interest for the rest of the weekend.
We had a total of 12 Amphicars with all four
stock colors represented. The show was terrific, the
weather was unbeatable, and the evening Amphicar
banquet, emceed by Dave Monier, was its usual extravaganza with a sumptuous buffet and door prizes,
a 50/50 drawing, and lots of good cheer.
Dave called for a voice vote asking how everyone felt about the new show and its location.
There was an unequivocal agreement that it was a
success. I, as much as anyone, enjoyed the weekend,
and, of course, I am indebted to Gord for getting my
crippled boat roadworthy, or it would have sat out
the show.
had sun and fantastic weather. Despite any misgivings we might have had in advance, the new
site was excellent. There was plenty of room
for the Amphicars right next to the new wide
ramp, and the consensus was that the new Tavares location is a winner. We could easily go
in and out of the water at will with nobody yelling at us to slow down or not cause any waves.
If there was any unusual excitement, it was
when an ultralight amphibious airplane came
from a nearby airport and attempted to land out
in the lake, but forgot that he had his wheels
still extended. Thus, instead of the aircraft
landing like a duck, the wheels dug in, and it
flipped over. Only the pilot was aboard, and he
was not hurt. Though the unplanned splashdown did not improve the plane, it was not terribly damaged and gave the people at the show
something to talk about and watch while it was
Amphicar traffic jam on Lake Dora.
7
CELINA 2008!
8
Story by Keith Mathiowetz; photography by IAOC members
F
or Amphicar fans, July means only one thing: Celina! During the last full weekend of the month, aquatic mayhem took place in and around the western Ohio town along Grand Lake St. Marys. There was swimming, parades and a swap meet, food and drink, swimming, fireworks and Otterbein rides, swimming, BBQ and banquet, and — oh, yeah — swimming! New this year was a trip to Indian Lake (see related story) and the appearance of
a World War II DUKW! For what looked like a long weekend on the calendar soon turned out to be an all-too-brief
reunion with Amphi friends from across the North American continent. How can several days go by so quickly?
Each year, members of the IAOC look forward to returning to Celina to see all the great Amphicars, visit with
their owners, and enjoy the Lake Festival activities. If you missed this year’s event, make sure to attend the big meet
next July. As the pictures here illustrate, there’s nothing but around-the-clock fun at this great swim-in!
Story by Larry DePasquale; photography by Ron Green
T
his adventure was on Thursday, July 24, the second day
of the Celina Lake Festival
and IAOC national swim-in in Celina. Pat DePasquale and I invited
the IAOC to Indian Lake for a swim.
Historic Indian Lake is 40 miles east
of Celina. When we arrived after a
50-minute drive, we turned into the
Old Field Beach. The beach had
only a few people in the morning,
and we may have surprised them by
driving across the beach and into the
swimming area. I led the Amphicars on a short trip to the Indian Lake State Campground ramp. Our “boat cars” totally caught the campers and park employees by surprise. Everyone enjoyed seeing the nine amphibians come out of
the water and drive through the campgrounds.
Next, we drove a few miles to Acheson’s Resort for
lunch. The fellowship and food was great. We noticed the
crowd getting bigger as we had lunch; some folks may
have called their friends. Since Acheson’s has a ramp, we
put on a show for the crowd and went in the water, heading
west toward the famous Dream Bridge. As we went under
the bridge, the park rangers were parked on the bridge
waving to the group.
We came out of the water at the ramp at Moundwood State Park and drove through Russell’s Point to Orchard Island. Pat and I invited all to have cheesecake and a
cool drink. We visited for a short time and then headed
back to Celina for the big cookout.
9
Escape from Amphi Island
Story and photography by Brian Crombie
W
hile driving down the highways, I look behind sheds and barns for Amphicars. I have my doubts I’ll ever
spot one, but being in A.S.M. (Amphicar Search Mode) helps pass the time. I love these little, freakish cars
and will do just about anything to own another one.
No A.S.M. was needed when Dave “The Wave” Derer called me and said he had located two Amphicars in
northern Minnesota. He said they were locked up in a shed next to a cabin on an island. He asked me if I could go buy
the cars, then we could each have one. Of course, I was down for that! So I called the owner, a real nice old lady
named Margaret. She told me her father owned them and that he passed away five years ago. He used the better of the
two cars to travel from the island to the mainland. She went on to tell me one was restored and the other was in unknown condition. Both descriptions could mean a lot of different things.
Margaret and her son live in Chicago and said both of them would be at the cabin in June. She hadn’t been up
there in five years. In fact, no one from her family had been there since her father passed away. So, here’s not one, but
two Amphicars resting in a shed on an island in northern Minnesota that haven’t seen the light of day in five years! I
graciously accepted her offer to join them.
The time came to load up the RV and hook up the trailer (just in case we needed it) and head north. My wife
Debbie and I met with Margaret on a Thursday, and I was hoping to see the cars that evening. Turned out she is somewhat frail, and it was cold and windy; it just wasn’t a good time to venture out to the island. Off to the campground we
went for a sleepless night. It was like Christmas
Eve when I was a kid, lying in bed thinking what
presents are in store for tomorrow!
At 1:00 the next day, we met Margaret
and her son at a marina for a boat ride out to the
island. We also met their real estate agent, as the
cabin/island was being put on the market. We arrived at the island (Margaret stayed at the marina)
where her son proceeded to show the agent the
inside of the cabin and surrounding grounds.
Debbie and I accompanied them for a while, but I
just couldn’t stay away from that shed. We wandered over to it and impatiently waited for the son
to open the doors. The anticipation was high, to
say the least. This shed had no windows, so I
couldn’t peek inside. Dang! Where is he with
those keys? He finally made it over to the shed
What dreams are made of — an Amphicar barn
and attempted to open the first padlock. No luck.
find in northern Minnesota.
This lock hadn’t been used in five years and was
quite stiff. The other padlock popped open, and we swung open the doors, and, sure enough, there was one of the two
Amphicars. A green one packed in a small space. This poor little Amphi had boxes and garden hoses and lots of other
old stuff residing on its body. It also had hundreds of chewed-up pine cones inside and out that a squirrel or two left
for us.
It appeared to be a typical, original-condition Amphi with rusty rear quarters. At this point, we hadn’t struck a
deal yet, and I began taking notes and photos, writing down all the bad things for our negotiations later. Rust, no back
seat, rust, no light pole, rust, no original horn, and ,oh, yeah, …. rust.
At this point, I’m feeling pretty good. It was like opening Al Capone’s vault, except we actually found something inside. On to door number two with the stuck padlock. WD-40 loosened the tumbler a bit, but not enough. I
asked the son for permission to break in. He wasn’t really excited about the idea, but, in the end, he reluctantly agreed.
He presented a crowbar, and, after about 15 minutes of eager destruction, we were swinging the doors open to expose
10
Amphicar number two. This car was the better of the two. It had the light pole and the back seats, and the rust was almost non-existent. Was it restored? No. But it did look like it could swim, even with its Bondo lips, spray-can paint
job, and riveted-in-place battery tray. Funny how that word “restored” can be so abused. Nonetheless, here were two
smiling Amphicars finally getting some attention.
After more notes and photos, it was time to close the doors and return to the mainland. We met Margaret back
at the marina and agreed to meet later at a restaurant to discuss a price. I had about an hour to come up with an offer.
Many thoughts go through one’s mind at this point. Should I
say this, or should I offer her that. At the restaurant, we settled on a price for both cars. Whew! I was glad that was
over. Was I happy? You bet! I just scored two Amphicars!
Now, the mental work was over and the physical
work began. Due to the massive size of this lake and its 360
islands, many occupied with cabins and homes, barges are
necessary for moving goods. In the restaurant parking lot
sitting in the RV, I called three of them, hoping one could
help us get the cars off the island in the morning. I had to
leave messages on all three calls. At 7:30 Saturday morning,
one of them returned my call. I told him what I needed and
he was more than happy to accommodate me. Back to the
island we went for a 9:30 barge arrival. We spent about an
hour feverishly looking for all the spare Amphi parts we
could find. We did locate the back seats for the green car
The irony of hauling an Amphi on a barge!
and one good extra prop. I really wanted the second light
pole, but it just wasn’t there.
The barge arrived and dropped his ramps onto the island. The ramps were at just about the same height as the
island, so it was very easy to load the cars. It actually couldn’t have been much better. With the cars secured, we
headed to the marina. It was a great day, weather-wise, and I was happy as could be cruising on a lake on a 20 x 60-ft
barge with two Amphicars on board with my wife at my side.
At the marina, I backed my trailer up to the barge ramps, dropped my ramp onto his, and rolled the green car
right inside. We put the red car right in front of the marina and locked it up. I was advised by the barge owner to not
leave her there overnight, which was what I had planned to do. He implied that it may not be there in the morning. His
comment forced a new plan. Drive home, replenish RV and human fluids, and head back. After a four-hour ride, we
arrived back home and were there for no more than a half hour, and we took off again. This time, I took my son and
his friend. This was day three of this adventure, and Debbie had enough Amphi action!
We arrived at 11:00 p.m. back at the marina. I was very happy to see the Amphicar still parked out front. Time
to load her up. The grade presented a problem with loading. I doubted the three of us could’ve pushed this car up
grade and into my trailer. At the very moment I lowered my ramp, I saw a boat idle up to the dock through the darkness. On board were four guys who had been night fishing. One of them walked down the dock to shore, where I introduced myself and asked him if he could help us push the car into the trailer. He said with a slur and a smile, “I ain’t
help’n you steal no car.” I told him I wasn’t stealing it and
showed him a bill of sale. Once again, “I ain’t help’n you steal
no car.” I approached his buddies, and one guy said, “Let’s just
get ’er done and help the guy.” One more time, the first guy
says, “I ain’t help’n him steal no car.” A minute later, all four of
them pushed the car into the trailer. I thanked them and offered
them a cocktail for their efforts. The first guy said, “Thanks, but
we don’t need no more alcohol.”
In the end, it was a great trip. A wonderful Father’s Day
weekend. The A.S.M. switch will always be in the “ON” position. I will continue to crank my neck as I head down the highway, trying to catch a glimpse of an Amphicar parked behind a
barn.. After all, they say half the fun is the search. On this trip, it
Ready for the trailer ride home.
was definitely the rescue.
11
Story and photography by John “Amphipoda” Edelstein
T
he 8th annual San Diego swim-in. Everything was
planned and in motion, more than a dozen amphibians
invited from as far east as Arizona and north to Santa
Barbara, the media was notified, the club banner was in hand,
and the generous club donation had been spent on food, drinks,
and gifts of new leather chamois for drying wet Amphicars. Even
the weather promised to be a perfect sunny day of mid-80s temperatures. But the event was in serious jeopardy. The lake water
level was not a sure thing; the launch ramp would either provide
smooth sailing or a belly-scraping 2-foot drop-off. The night before the event, the water level looked good, but, even so, the water lords at the city’s water treatment facility have been known to
Amphis invade San Diego!
drop
the
reservoir/lake water level by 2 feet in under 12 hours. As a precaution, I urged everyone I knew not to shower or flush their toilets until after the swim-in. That seemed to do the trick, as there
was adequate water for a full day of amphibious silliness.
By noon, the event was in fully swing. Crowds of onlookers had gathered, the media had cameras rolling, and Amphicars
ferried curious passengers into the lake in an all-out, amphibious
ride-sharing frenzy. Approximately 200 people showed up wanting rides, and everyone who wanted a ride got at least one! From
infants to Cub Scouts to my father who is 88 years young, all had
a glorious time in Lake Miramar cruising around in our classic
little Amphicars.
Anyone who’s ever hosted or attended a swim-in always
Six Amphicars and more than 20 IAOC
hopes for full color representation. All four factory colors were
members attended the San Diego
in attendance, and, ironically, an overabundance of rare white
event.
cars. The attendees with Amphicars were John and Carol Edelstein (blue), Steve and Connie Reich (red), Brian and Beth Smith (green), Rick Rosiejka, Ed Myers, and John and
Toni Friese (white). Other attending amphibians (but without their Amphicars) included Ed Howard, John Unikewicz,
Howard Singer, Dave Punaro, and Paul Shedal. In all, there were six Amphicars and well over 20 amphibious family
members. Thanks to those who attended and helped make the swim-in another magical day of fun in the sun. And
thanks to the IAOC for the banner loan and generous donation. For next year, we have something brewing that will
rock the Amphicar community. Stay tuned!
Be well, swim safe — Amphipoda
12
Hugh’s Views
Helpful Tips and Tricks from Hugh Gordon
Front hand brake cable maintenance
Here’s an overlooked cable. Grab a
polishing cloth, buff your cable strands, clean
off the polish, and buff with an oil-soaked rag.
Apply grease to pivots, springs, and fasteners.
(Wal-Mart has a spray grease with a tube to
really get tight spots.)
Installing defroster duct screws
To install defroster duct screws with windshield on the car, use an
angle screw driver, like in the photograph to the right. If the screws are
rusted tight, you will have to remove windshield. If the windshield glass is
perfect, save it! Sacrifice the rubber frame. After 40 years, an original rubber
frame is so hard and brittle that it’s all too easy to crack the windshield. Installing a new pliable rubber frame is easy.
Window brush strip clip installation
This is an important, original-type part to
properly secure the glass brush strips against the
windows. To install, these clips should be posi-
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NOTE: These are nominal-fee, pre-paid ads from those whose goal is to provide quality
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are interested in this or other forms of advertising within the Wheels-n-Waves newsletter.
Transmissions refurbished starting at $1,800. Includes seals,
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STEEL raised-lip quarter panels!
tioned on the metal edge of the body before the
window is installed. Then, once the window is in
place, the brush strips can simply be snapped into
place on the clips.
Fuel tank sending unit gasket tip
Cork is a good sealing material, but it dries
out, cracks, and, once glued in place, can’t be reused. A new neoprene seal solves these problems.
Over the years, attempts to stop leaks by increasingly tightening the five screws actually causes
more leakage. Remove and clean seal area on underside of sending unit. You’ll see that the mounting holes have become “pushed in” or concaved
from over-tightening the five screws. Before using
new seal, flatten the concave screw holes.
Inside and Out Restoration Using Roto-Body
All Steel Fabrication For Integrity & Strength
Showroom Appearance & Performance
All Work Completed By East Coast Amphicar
Billy “Splash King” Syx 609-625-1015
Email amphisplashparty@msn.com
13
Member Spotlight
Meet Joe Shannon
Story by Brian Crombie; photography by Joe Shannon
W
hen Joe Shannon of Dublin, Ohio, was a competitive water skier, he saw Amphicars every now and then
and always wanted to own one. He purchased his first Amphicar eight years ago in upstate New York.
Knowing nothing about Amphicars, it was a long process, starting with backing the car into the water
while attached to a truck. Good
thing, too, because it would have
sunk! After many hours on the phone
with Hugh Gordon, a rebuilt engine,
new transmission, and some metal
work, the car was ready to go. Joe
was fortunate enough to have a
friend tell him about another Amphicar that was for sale. It turned out to
be an 1,800-mile, one-owner, alloriginal car that had been in a garage
for 20 years. This Amphicar was still
sporting its original tires, spark
plugs, and air filter. With just a light
buffing, new brake lines, and an oil
change, Joe ended up with a wonderful car that he is very proud of.
Joe has had many great experiences with his Amphicar. He says, “It would not be a stretch to say that owning
an Amphicar is a life-changing experience.” With the countless number of wonderful people he has met, Joe claims to
never get tired of answering the usual Amphicar questions. The only one he’s not sure how to answer is, “How deep
of water can it go in?”
The thing Joe loves most about driving the Amphicar is the reaction people have. Just recently, Joe gave a couple a ride. He did not realize until they were in the car that the woman was from Russia, and it was her first trip to
America. All she kept saying in a thick Russian accent as she clapped her hands was, “Miracle! Miracle!”
After taking a friend’s kids for a ride, they returned to school. They shared their experience with their teacher
and classmates. His friend received a letter from the teacher stating their children were lying in class! The teacher
apologized after pictures were brought in to show her the Amphicar. Joe says he has a lot of collectible cars, but all
pale in comparison to the reaction people have to the Amphicar.
Joe feels very fortunate
to have a wonderful place to use
the Amphicar. It is a four-milelong island on the north shore
of Ohio called Put-in-Bay. It is
a popular vacation spot for
boaters from Ohio and Michigan. It is kind of like Mardi
Gras and Martha’s Vineyard
rolled into one.
Joe is an automotive
technician specializing in European cars. He has a small shop in Powell, Ohio. He has logged more than 2,000 hours
as a private pilot and has owned a Christian Eagle aerobatic biplane and numerous Cessnas. He now enjoys flying a
home-built Vans Aircraft RV6A, a Cessna 172, and, of course, driving/swimming his Amphicar.
14
Amphicars, Parts, Services, Accessories, & Apparel
LOTS of PARTS!: Over 800 NOS and reproductions. Full price list with present inventory available. What do you need? Interior kits my
specialty with over 100 kits sold. Almost all body parts are now available in fiberglass including the floor from front to the back seam under
transmission. Full in house total restorations are done by me alone, so only 1 a year. Call to get on my waiting list. Advice to people restoring
their car is still free! Gord Souter, 3860 Carlyon Line, R.R. #4 Orillia, Ontario, Canada, L3V 6H4, 705-327-2820, www.amphicar.ca
Amphicar - Gordon Imports, Inc.: 14330 Iseli Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Your exclusive importer of original Amphicar parts.
Same day shipping of 97% of all parts ordered. 562-802-1608, (FAX) 562-404-1904, sales@gordonimports.com.
Amphicar Repair and Restoration: Various parts. “Do it once, do it right.” East Coast Amphicar, 2213 Route 50, Mays Landing, New Jersey, 08330. Billy Syx, 609-625-1015.
Amphicar Restoration: ROCKY MOUNTAIN AMPHICAR, 50 miles north of Denver, Colorado. “I’ll take care of your Amphicar as if it
were one of my very own.” CD’s of Parts & Main. Manuals & more. John Bevins, 970-532-4104 , RMA@amphicar.com
Buy, Sell, Trade, Fix Amphicars: Midwest Amphicar; transmission repair; parts new and used wanted. Amphi repairs and restorations. Mobile maintenance and repair, call for info & pricing. West of Chicago in Mendota, Illinois. Dave Derer, 815-849-5498,
www.midwestamphicar.com, dmd@essex1.com
All Things Amphicar and Trailer: Cars for sale, Engines & Transmissions, New & Used Parts, Accessories, Amphicar Trailers, and Trailers for all other collector Cars, Trucks, Tractors and Motorcycles. Any size, both Open and Enclosed, Steel or Aluminum! Slightly used 12’
aluminum Amphi trailer with brakes. $3495 (can arrange delivery). 1147cc high performance head, ported and polished by Gordon, cut .090”,
4000 miles, lots of H20 time. The motor ran great when I swapped it for a stock head. Make your 1147 perform like a stock 1300. $200.
Ready to go! Engine, desirable small bearing 1296 cc long block, guaranteed rebuildable, never machined, $450. Can bring to Celina. Complete Amphicar restoration, repair and maintenance service. Selling and Finding services also available; see our long list of satisfied customers. Robert Vondracek, 219-405-1241, robert@allthingsamphicar.com
Interior Kits: A complete Amphi interior kit for $1,300 (flotation seat models slightly extra). Dave “Stitcher” Bennet, stitchen1@yahoo.com.
T-shirts: $9.95 each. Hanes Heavyweight (90% pre-shrunk cotton, 10% polyester) with beautiful “ADIRONDACK AMPHICAR” 3 color
logo silk screened on front, Blue Amphi only. Sizes: Youth M (10-12) & Adults Small - Grey shirts only Adults-M-L-XL - Grey or Sage
Green shirts. Shipping in US is $4.95 for first shirt and $1.00 more for each additional shirt ordered. Please specify quantity, sizes and colors.
Payment to: Edward David, 2658 Griffith Park Blvd., #265, Los Angeles, CA 90039 or PayPal account: edededdie@aol.com
Amphicar Patches: Fully embroidered/completely stitched. Top quality fabrics, custom dyed for uniformity & routinely tested for durability
and color-fastness. Laminated backing, washable-dry cleanable. Heat seal backing so they can be sewed or ironed on any shirt, jacket, hat,
etc; just $6 each, plus $1 ship. John Lambert at jlambertspc@aol.com. Include the number of patches requested, your complete mailing address and your check. John Lambert, 19090 Hickory Ridge Road, Fenton, Michigan 48430, 810-750-4967
For Sale: Dutton Mariner: Fully legal in the U.S. as car and boat. Turbo diesel. Air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette radio, depth finder, hard
and soft tops. Twin jets. $39,950. Can see pictures at http://h2ofun.net/indexboats.htm. Dave Campbell, Auburn, Calif. 530-268-0331
Amphicar Apparel: T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, mouse pads & reproductions of famous Amphicar advertisements. Russ Cihlar,
russcihlar@itol.com
Car Covers: Custom-fit car covers made for your Amphicar or any other vehicle. 13 different fabrics available. Steve Behnke at Murphy’s
Motoring Accessories. (920)759-2157.
Driveshaft Tunnel Replacement Ends: Critical for water safety, rugged replacement pairs for $250. Chris Lariviere, 860-977-0808,
Chris.Lariviere@wfsb.com, www.amphicarsbychris.com
High Performance Clutch System: Drop in replacement. $550 + ship for the whole system. Also improved late style drain plugs $29.50 +
ship. John Friese. 242 E. Alamar Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. 805-570-4778 friese@mindspring.com
Body-at-Door Seals: (Part #11-34-33R) Self-adhesive, easy to mount and cut, $20 for a precut pair to seal both doorways. Includes instruction sheet. Bill Connelly, 8389 Luce Court, Springfield, Virginia, 22153, bilgemeister@amphicar.net.
Engine Oil Change Kit: Includes a taper tube that goes through hull drain, magnetic drain plug & wobble Allen wrench to reach plug.
$12.95+ ship. Mike Ferland, 54 Grand Moulin, Deux Montagnes, Quebec, Canada J7R 3C5 450-473-3971) capitaineamphicar@yahoo.ca
Trim: New & Remanufactured bright-dip anodized aluminum trim strips for headlamps, rear lamps, fins, and hoods. Also have air filters, inside
mirrors, carbon clutch release bearings, accelerator cables, mirrored sun-visors, front bumpers, and more. Allan Woodcock, 442 Vista Dorado Lane,
Oak Park, CA, 91377, 310-466-6288, ampicarparts@earthlink.net, www.amphicarparts.com
Fine Print Disclaimer: The IAOC is not responsible for ads, products, claims, or purchases. Advertisements will run on the IAOC web page
and newsletter for three months or two Wheels –n– Waves newsletter issues, whichever comes first. Note: The editor reserves the right to trim
ads in an effort to provide as many listings as possible. Classifieds are FREE to IAOC Members. Amphicar-related classifieds for nonmembers are $10. Newsletter ad submission deadline is the 15th of the month prior to each newsletter release.
15
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