Lake Buena Vista in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Amphicars
An amphibious automobile suited for both land and water
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 19, 2025
1. Amphicars Marker
The Model 770 Amphicar was named after its ability to achieve speeds of seven knots in the water and 70 mph on land. 3,878 Amphicars were manufactured in Germany from 1961 to 1968. During that time 3,046 were imported into the United States. The Amphicar is rear-engined and uses a 4-cylinder British-built Triumph Herald motor producing 43 hp. All Amphicars are convertibles, offered to civilians in four colors; Beach White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, and Fjord Green (Aqua). Two American Presidents owned Amphicars; Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson. President Johnson would invite friends and even foreign dignitaries to his Texas ranch for a joyride in his car. Today, the Boathouse is the only location in the world that offers Captain Guided Amphicar tours in a unique water experience around Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 28° 22.302′ N, 81° 31.078′ W. Marker is in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in Orange County. It can be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando and in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Walts Dream (within shouting distance of this marker); My Little Princess (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legend of Ol' Man Island (approx. 1½ miles away); Live Oak (approx. 1½ miles away); Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe (approx. 1.6 miles away); Rue de la Falaitte (approx. 1.6 miles away); Runic Writings (approx. 1.8 miles away);
Photographed by Adam Margolis
2. Amphicars Marker
More about this marker. Located at the Disney Springs shopping center, with free admission and free parking. A ride in an Amphicar costs $125 (in 2025) which includes up to four people.
Also see . . . Water Car. In this half-hour video produced in 2006 for local PBS TV stations in California, host Huell Howser goes for a ride in an Amphicar on Castaic Lake near Los Angeles. (Submitted on February 19, 2025.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 19, 2025
3. Amphicars and Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis
4. Amphicars Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 19, 2025
5. Amphicar
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 19, 2025
6. Amphicar
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 19, 2025
7. Amphicar Propellers
There is no rudder because the front wheels function as rudders.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 499 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on January 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
