By Sorrel Hoskin

A checklist on the dashboard of Darryl Goble's car is the first indication that the little red convertible is a bit different from the norm - the note reminds the driver to fit the bilge pump and secure the doors.

Other clues are at the back - a marine beacon pokes out of the boot and twin propellers sit between the two back wheels. Look closer and you'll notice the port and starboard navigation lights, and the knot meter lined up next to the speedo and rev counter on the dash.

That's because the Stratford jeweller's immaculate 1960s convertible roadster is also a boat - it's a 1964 Amphicar 7-70.

Is it a boat or a car? It's the Amphicar! Photo: Taranaki Daily News.

A car that swims

Dubbed "the swimming car" by its German manufacturers, Darryl's car can often be seen heading down the boat ramp at Lake Ratapiko near Eltham.  "It's just like an ordinary car - but you can drive it in water as well," says Darryl. "You just drive straight on in."
 
Amphicars were manufactured in Berlin back in the 1960s - they were the first civilian amphibious car to go into production, with 3,878 rolling off the line from 1961 to 1968.

It was a car ahead of its time - and its potential was seen straight away - some intrepid adventurers undertaking serious sea crossings - from Africa to Spain, San Diego to Catalina Island and several times across the English Channel to France. An Amphicar was even run down by a ship in the Straits of Gibraltar.
 
Back then the Amphicar failed for two reasons - it was too expensive - and the steel body was prone to rust (a leak-free boat is a must!) so the factory closed down. Now there are only around 250 working Amphicars in the world and the amphibian has become a popular collector's car. Of those 250 cars three are in New Zealand.

Darryl Goble and the Amphicar. Photo: Taranaki Daily News.

A dream come true

Mad keen on cars - especially the quirky kind - Darryl had read about Amphicars in books as a kid and dreamed about owning one. "It was either that or a Jensen Interceptor or a Sunbeam Tiger. Maxwell Smart (from the TV programme Get Smart) drove a V8 Tiger."

So when the opportunity arose to buy the Amphicar from a defunct Okaiawa museum - he jumped at it.  "The guy didn't know anything about its history. I did some research and found that it was the first right hand drive car off the production line - there were 98 made and I'd found number one!"

The car didn't look too bad on the outside - but was rusted out underneath. A good dunking in an acid bath revealed the extent of the damage - and the amount of money that would need to be spent to return the car to its original state.

Over eight years Darryl and good mates Brian Hewson and Brendan Old have lovingly restored the car - down to the last nut and bolt. He spent all his spare time - and thousands of dollars (he won't reveal just how much) to get it just like new. Now the car has paintwork with a mirror-like gleam, shiny vinyl seats and white-walled tyres.

The two doors are double-sealed (like a fridge seal) and have an extra latch at the bottom to ensure they don't pop open in the water. 

The propellers are hidden under the boot, which holds the 1296cc, four cylinder British made engine. The petrol tank lies under the bonnet, along with the spare tyre and a sizable luggage space.

The 60s décor is completed with a white convertible top.

Darryl has added some extra features to make it better than new. "We added some extra seals and a high performance bilge pump - not that it needs it - but it's better to be safe than sorry!"

The first time Darryl took the little car into the water was a nerve wracking experience. "I was scared. I was expecting water to dribble in around the doors. We backed it in carefully while a rope was tied to the ute, so if it went down we could quickly yank it out. But not a drop!"

Darryl untied the car and took it for its first spin around the lake. "I was amazed at how well it went and turned in the water."

The car can clock up to 70mph (112km) on land and 10 mph (16km) in the water "though it feels much faster," says Darryl. "You create quite a wake behind you as you're going through the water."

The car's front wheels are used as rudders, with the throttle operated by a normal foot pedal. Going from road to water is simply a matter of ensuring everything is sealed - then turning the propellers on and driving into the water.

Fishing trip: Darryl Goble and Leighton Keith on Lake Ratapiko. Photo: Taranaki Daily News.

On land the shiny red convertible is a head turner - but on water people just can't believe what they're seeing, says Darryl. "It's great to see their faces when you just drive into the water!"  A little red car cruising Lake Ratapiko is not something you see every day.

Darryl's had the Amphicar out on the water four or five times since its maiden voyage - each time he's a little less nervous that the car will spring a leak and sink to the bottom of the lake. But there are no plans to take it on an epic journey like some of the early adventurers - Darryl's happy with the occasional outing on Lake Ratapiko.

 "It's more a big toy than anything. I've never owned a boat before - I suppose I sort of own half a boat now!"