For
Sale
The California Loop Connection. This one owner Amphi was promised to a favorite niece a long time ago. Time marched on and the original owner passed away. The car has been sent to me for complete inspection, since it has not been started in a few years. First an oil change, some new fuel and lets see.
The truck pulls up. I love the anticipation. The door opens. In the back, there
she sits. Then slowly out. Not just a car but a link to the past. A moving
photograph. A memory in motion. Not just memories but promises of memories
not yet made. The car needs to become ship shape for My Swim In, plus plans are
being made for a Chicago River cruise.
Some close ups. Custom bilge and exhaust out lets. Dash and door tops repainted
white. Sun visors are weathered. Interior is original and very good for age but
still is only marginal. Red carpet through out. Original top that is shot. Car
arrived full of water and oil. Rust in rear quarters and in hood. Car has been
repainted, originally a white Amphi. Minor dings and dents all over with a
bit larger dent and broken Amphicar script on drivers side.
My recommendations: Over all car is very solid: Body after quarter repairs will be presentable and usable as is. Perhaps after a season of use plans can be made for body restoration. Besides obvious mechanical repairs and inspections I would install new interior with new foam padding. New sun visors, I would remove all red carpet and install original rubber mats. Splash rubbers, door, and hood seals should be replaced.
It will be up to the owner to decide on how to restore this car. To restore to original or to restore to Grand Fathers color scheme. Or something in between. I have always felt the owner of an Amphicar should choose what they like. Unlike other cars there is no factory trim tag there for no wrong or right.
I
drained the "oil" from engine. Unfortunately the bilge plug had been left in.
The car filled up with water. The rear glass has a rust stain. The rear glass
had been in down position. That stain estimates depth of water that had been in
car. Removing front boards revealed depth of water also. The transmission was
filled with water also. I will not try to start and move car. There will be rust
and corrosion in engine and in trans. Starting will only make damage worse. This
may become an expensive situation. Some parts to rebuild trans are not
available. A new transmission is about $6500.00. Plus labor.
some
shots of floor.
First
two shots shows axles out. Then water coming out of rear shock. New shock. New
front seat. Door seal in backwards. Inside of doors look very good
Clutch
was slipping. It was plain broken! Goo in oil pan is expected. Big question fix
a little or fix a lot? The "problem" with this car is it is pretty good as is.
But has rust and thick black paint which is breaking down.
Quarters
are filled with fiberglass. Pulled trim off to clean up rust that had started.
New rubber trim will be installed. Also electronic ignition. Car has been
sitting for nearly four years already. But will soon be in the lake.