Wisconsin Life

>> All right, now put it in gear, and off we go!

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Everybody seems to have seen one. >> But the one that catches your attention in Sturgeon Bay is owned by Russ Cihlar. >> There's probably, oh, ten or fifteen of them in the state. It's just something really unique that came out of the 60s. >> "It" is an amphicar, part boat, part car, 50/50 surf and turf. >> The German background is pretty cool because I'm into WWII vehicles. The developer of the German Schwimmwagen of WWII, after the war, he developed this car. But it was still the price of a Corvette. I believe they were right around $2,300. If you had a choice back in the 60s to have one of these or a Corvette, I think you would've picked a Corvette. There's four colors. There's green, blue, white, and red. When I first got this car, I thought, there's no way I'm keeping it that color. But trends change. I love that color of all the colors. It's the neatest color. People will buy them just in terrible shape and get them back going because they just love 'em. >> For Russ it was love at first sight. >> This car was in Door County. It was about five miles from my home. A buddy of mine and I were looking at it and we sat in it, and I thought wouldn't this be cool? I was 16 years old. So I kind of forgot about it for about 10 years. Then, I actually had a dream about it. And I thought, I wonder if it's still there. Sure enough, there it was. It was sitting in the same spot. So during the winters, I started putting it back together, and every year, I do a little bit. One thing I did learn with the amphicar is that if you don't give up, you'll get it done. Because when I got that amphicar, I mean it was in '84, I didn't get it done until '98. Every time I go in, you just get the heeby jeebies a little bit. You wonder, you know, if everything is going to be okay. I'm were pretty cocky at first. I like to power into the wakes and make a big splash. Well, one rolled up right over the hood and right over the top of the windshield, and it was like two five gallon pails of smelly bay water in our laps. I mean, it's all vinyl seats and rubber floor mats and it just trickles down the bilge. And one time the electrical system quit on me after we came out of the water. Being that it has original wiring from 1963, there's always that in the back of your mind. Almost every time when we pull out, there's a few people that ask me, "Did you just come out of the water?" You know, they don't know what to say. It's hilarious. >> The amphicar isn't really built for speed, it's built for fun. >> All right! There we go. It's a 1963 amphicar. It's a slow moving car in the water and it's an awkward car on the land. The model is 7-70, meaning, seven in the water and 70 on land. I've had it up to maybe 60 on land, and it's pretty hairy. It's a not a safe feeling. It's got a peppy engine. Those first couple of gears you really get going and then it's pretty slow. It's only 43 horse power. Just put the lever forward, and off we go. >> Cruising around the Sturgeon Bay ship canal the amphicar is dwarfed by those big boats. >> I wouldn't trade, I would not trade! >> And maybe it's the small size that attracts all the attention. >> I'm glad I haven't caused any accidents because, sometimes when I go under the bridges there are people rubber-necking, looking down. The best thing is you can come home from work, and have your wife say, "It's pretty nice and calm out tonight, isn't it?" And that just means, let's go for an amphicar ride. So we'll just jump in the car, five minutes to the boat ramp and we're in the water. Maybe a nice sunset cruise. It is a special feeling when you've rebuilt it yourself. It's got nothing but good memories.

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