Two unique ways to navigate and enjoy the Mississippi
Duane and Laura Smith of Cedar Rapids enjoy cruising on the Mississippi River in their Model 770 Amphicar. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Part time Abel Island residents Duane Smith, and his wife, Laura, of Cedar Rapids are the proud owners of two unique amphibious modes of transportation.
Duane grew up in Lamont and has many fond memories of spending time on Esmann Island at his grandparent's humble weekend retreat.
"Their weekend home was a single-wide trailer with an outhouse," he remembered. "We spent many hours on the Mississippi River in a jon boat."
The highly successful Cedar Rapids businessman has had a penchant for collectible automobiles since his early teens. His first car was a 1963 six-cylinder, three on the tree Chevy Nova two-door. "I purchased it from an elderly lady that drove it to church on Sunday for two hundred dollars," Smith recalled.
He purchased a repair kit from J.C. Whitney for 29 dollars, and took over his father's garage and went to work. "I sanded the rust out and purchased 30 cans of rustoleum that had been sitting on my father's hardware store shelf. I applied the paint and accessorized it with lace applique – and had my first car." he said with a laugh.
1967 Amphicar
Amphicar Model 770 is an amphibious automobile, which was launched at the New York Auto Show in 1961. It was designed by Hans Trippel and manufactured in West Germany from 1961 - 1968.
The Amphicar features navigation lights and flag as mandated by the US Coast Guard. A 2014 publication of Petrolicious described the Amphicar as "good for one thing: fun. It’s not quick or flashy, but it’s iconic, unique and friendly. What more could you ask from a vintage car?"
Duane and Laura's Amphicar, which is one of 25 other vehicles in his personal collection, has 10299 original miles. It boasts a Triumph Herald 1147 cc (43 hp) engine, with a Porsche Hermes Synchromesh transmission. The 4-speed left shifter is used for land, and the right shifter propels the vehicle forward and reverse in the water. The car/boat travels at a speed of 7 mph on the water and 70 mph on land. It is relatively fuel efficient – getting approximately 35 miles per gallon on land and 1.5 gallon on water. The fuel tank has a capacity of 12.4 gallons, and the vehicle’s dry weight is 2292 pounds. Of the 3600 that were manufactured 500 can still swim.
The Amphicar is steered with the front wheels which act as rudders. There are two independent fault tolerant, isolated bilge pumps, which help keep the vehicle afloat. "The water comes up to about the white moulding, and it does have to be registered as a boat and a car," he noted.
ICON A5 amphibious aircraft
Duane is grateful for the Abel Island airstrip, which allows him to utilize his ICON A5 amphibious airplane. The unique, concept design was produced in 2008, and made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 27, 2014.
The ICON A5, which is considered more of a luxury recreational aircraft, enlisted BMW to design the cockpit and Nissan to design the exterior.
"The plane's water landing apparatus resembles the front of a jet ski," he commented."
The couple's Abel Island home on the Mississippi River presents the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their unique Amphicar and ampibious aircraft.
