This is a WWII GMC model DUCW, a 2.5-ton 6×6 amphibious vehicle that used six wheels on land and a propeller when in the water. Essentially sea-going trucks, they were crucial for ferrying supplies from ship to shore. The vehicles were naturally nicknamed Ducks, and Canadian war correspondent Dick Sanborn reported this incident in 1943:
During the invasion of Italy, when hundreds of ducks plied their way back and forth carrying anti-tank guns, mortars and ammunition across the Messina straits, a British destroyer raced cockily past one group. From the bridge twinkled a signal lamp in Morse. Deeply offended, the officer in charge of the ducks translated the message: “Quack, quack.”
Although this Amphicar was not American-made, it was marketed primarily to Americans. It was an amphibious automobile invented by German Hans Trippel and was produced from 1961 to 1968.
Twin propellers (located under the rear of the car) were easily engaged with a shift knob.
The front tires acted as rudders and special seals around the doors and engine compartment kept the water out. It had stamped steel body panels, a Porsche transmission and suspension made by Mercedes-Benz. Power was supplied by a rear-mounted 43-hp 4-cylinder Triumph engine. Newspaper accounts vary, but top land speed was around 65-70 mph with water speed somewhere around 10-12 mph.
“Chemist Goes By Water in His car.” The Sidney Herald Morning Sun, 25 April 1965, p. 17.
The Amphicar was apparently seaworthy, crossing the English Channel from Calais to Dover in 5.5 hours in 1962. Back in the states, a salesman demonstrating one at a lake in Texas said, “Most of the time people think I’m either a drunk who has run his car off into the lake, or some crazy nut.”
McGuire, Michael. “Cars Ahoy, Hail Drivers During Plunge in Lake.” Chicago Tribune, 1 August 1965, p. 1.
Another story about the Amphicar from 1962 asked, “Who needs bridges anymore?” Good point! With many bridges destroyed by historic flooding, thousands of Nebraskans would find an Amphicar extremely useful about now.
1963 Amphicar Ad
Sources:
“Amphicar
Demonstrator Discovers People are Curious.” The Irving Daily News Texan,
7 October 1962, p. 9.
“Amphicar
– Hans Trippel Knew How to Make Hope Float.”
Fort Myers News-Press, 6 October 2004.
“Chemist
Goes by Water in His car.” The Sidney Herald Morning Sun, 25 April
1965, p. 17.
Hill,
Michael. “What Has Four Wheels and
Floats?” Chicago Tribune, 8 January 1995, p. 6.
“Hope
Wasn’t Enough to Make This Idea Float.” Chicago Tribune, 24 October
2007, p. 2.
Ianfield,
Peggy. “Amphicars Startle Cape Coral
Area.” Fort Myers News-Press, 29
July 1962, p. 5-C.
McGuire,
Michael. “Cars Ahoy, Hail Drivers During Plunge in Lake.” Chicago
Tribune, 1 August 1965, p. 1.
“Sports Car – Boat Too.” The Nashville Tennessean,
7 October 1962, p. 6-C.
