It is featured in a book called something like "Lemons, The World's Worst Cars", in which its styling was compared to (you guessed it) the Sunbeam Alpine. More guilt by association. The Amphicar was known to swamp in rough water, prone to corrosion when in sea water, slow on land and water, and impratcical. It think one is on display at either the Peterson Auto Museum, or the San Diego Auto Museum. They have a fiberglass boat-shaped bottom end. propeller, and rudder.
I was preparing my S II for a parade in a parking lot once, when a woman who was riding by started screaming at me. "Those things are death traps- - - my friend drowned in one!" She was so agitated, I couldn't even get through to tell her she had the wrong car, and that I had never driven it in more than 4 inches of water (P.T. Barnum was right). -------------- Advertisement: Read at your own risk
I hate to get up on the soapbox, but it's up to us owners and afficianados to reverse the tarnished image of the Alpine. No one else knows or appreciates these cars like we do. We will continue to be sandwiched between the Tiger and the Amphicar until we stand up for our marque and let the world know we are there. The Alpine set standards for styling, refinement, and competition performance that we can all be proud of. We need to show our cars in a broader context than just "Tigers United", otherwise we're preaching to the choir. Sure we need to show up at Rootes events, but we need to do more than just lobby Tiger owners (they've made up their minds by this time about the Alpine anyway). BTW, does it strike anyone but me as odd that 10 times more Alpines were built than Tigers, yet we're outnumbered 10 to 1 at "Rootes" events by Tigers?
I've entered my car in many local general and all-British car shows and parades, and proudly displayed the make, model, and year on a door sign. I get a lot of spontaneous "Nice Car"s whenever I drive or show it (fins and all). I also display a colorful history poster with original factory literature illustrations of the Alpine. I answer questions about the car, and when the conversation shifts to V-8s, I point out the Alpine's superior handling, steering, and cooling properties, and its better road-racing record. Besides, the Alpine appeared in more academy award winning movies than the Tiger! We need to educate the public and, ultimately, the motoring press. Every time an article comes out about the "hairdresser's car" we should have 5 indignant letters to the editor pointing out why the author is full of BS, doesn't know his facts, and hasn't done his homework.
I'm sorry to be so repressed and soft-spoken about this subject. I guess I'll just have to get in touch with my feelings, and learn how to express them more openly, without holding back.
Rex Funk