A: Homemade amphib in progress. Electric, but it will be a diesel hybrid (vertical-shaft, v-twin 20hp that will also drive it in the water).
This question comes from an actual
on-line comment by someone viewing a picture of the
vehicle.
Q: Not done though, is it?
A: It turned into a second career! I get about 160 hours a year on it, and it’s been about ten years so far.
Q: I see it is road legal, AND water legal?
A: The Mass State Environmental Police, the branch of the state that provides HINs (hull identification numbers) to homemade boats, gave me the thumbs up! So the thing is a legal car and a legal boat.
Q: Looks retro. You like Art Deco?
A: I’m a big fan. Mid-Century, the Streamliners, Bucky Fuller and the Dymaxion, Stout’s Scarab, yes. All of that!
Q: Are those Jeep rims?
A: Yup! There’s some 1995 Jeep (YJ) frame under there. It was a champagne-gold Rio Grande with 140k and a rusted-out frame. Parted it out. Cheap start! Lots of YJ pieces in there, still: dash components, wiper motor, electrical parts, steering box (was power, now manual), etc.
Q: What else is in there?
A: A 70s Mustang three-speed manual transmission (302 top-loader), Smart fortwo windshield, Mercedes Benz vacuum pump (for power brakes, front-axle actuator), Isuzu Rodeo driver’s seat and handbrake.
Q: Is it still 4WD?
A: Yes, and... the front-wheel drive and the rear-wheel drive are completely separate. Front has a 72V DC motor (basically a big golf-cart motor) with a very low ratio for climbing out of the water. The rear drive, which uses a 144V three-phase AC drive (AC-51 with a Curtis controller).
Q: What about batteries?
A: It had a dozen 12v Trojans; 1000 lbs! And terrible range. Now it has hand-me-down electric Mustang batteries (four 36V modules). 240 pounds, same voltage, more stored energy by a factor of about four.
At Cars and Coffee at The Hut, Sudbury
MA, May 2026.
Leaving Cars and Coffee at The Hut,
Sudbury MA, May 2026.
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