The idea of a car that can function both on land and in the water is not a new one, but the challenge of making it a reality is an ongoing one.
Car enthusiast Marc Witt believes that he has finally accomplished this feat, having created the a vehicle that can travel at 125 mph on land, and keep up a respectable pace while sailing on water as well. Naming it the ‘Sea Lion’, Witt is putting the car up for sale for $259,500.
The car was built by Witt himself, using a 174hp Mazda rotary engine, brushed aluminum and stainless steel. It is sturdy, strong and waterproof, and even features small storage compartments for travel as well.
Witt began building the car in 2006, with hopes of breaking the water-speed record for amphibious cars. At the time, the record was set at 45mph. Now, the record has reached 6-mph, and Witt’s car sits at the top alongside 25 others.
Witt believes that with an engine upgrade, his car will break the record both on land and on water.
Witt wrote: “Building Sea Lion has been an enjoyable exploration. I have provided the basic architecture for the car and resolved every conflicting interaction between Car and Boat. The next chapter of this project is to provide an ultimate engine and begin speed trials. There are many highly qualified rotary engine builders who have decades of experience making reliable high performance improvements. It is best to bring a specialist builder on board for the rest of this endeavor and bring the car up to its full potential. I am willing to continue working with a buyer on all future modifications. I will remain available as a consultant, engineer, machinist and psychiatrist for whoever decides to venture further into the amphibious record books.”