The Nazi War Vessel-Turned-Floating Car That Made A Splash In 1960s America

Originally designed as a Nazi war vessel, the Amphicar 770 made a splash as the only amphibious car ever mass-produced. Jim Nightingale/Newsday RM via Getty ImagesA reporter test drives an Amphicar in the water with Al Bodkin, the general sales manager for Amphicar Corp. in the back.The Amphicar was a short-lived amphibious car manufactured in West Germany during the 1960s. Originally devised as a military vessel for Nazi operations during the war, it went on to become a fad among car drivers in the U.S. In fact, President Lyndon B. Johnson, who owned an Amphicar, notoriously loved shocking unsuspecting guests by driving them into the lake on his Texas ranch.Here’s a look back through the amphibious car’s brief but wild history.Creation Of The Amphibious CarWikimedia CommonsThe Volkswagen Schwimmwagen of World War II preceded the design of the commercial Amphicar.The Amphibious car — also known as the Amphicar — was a convertible that could operate on roads and in water. Although comme...