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An amphibious vehicle project by Bert Sandlin Louisiana, USA
AMPHIBIANMOTORSA project by Bert Sandlin

BERT SANDLIN'S AMPHIBIOUS CAR

THE ROAD
IS ONLY HALF
THE STORY.

Bert Sandlin built this amphibious car in his Louisiana garage using older Chevrolet components and a custom body. Here are the original photos and videos of the prototype on the water.

Explore the prototype Watch the footage

ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE LAND + WATER

Bert Sandlin driving the original silver amphibious car across the water, throwing spray behind it
ORIGINAL ON-WATER TEST PHOTOGRAPH
ONE CAR.
TWO ENVIRONMENTS.
45+ MPHWater speed, according to Bert
<$8KOriginal materials purchased
CHEVY 4×4Source of older donor components
THE PROTOTYPEBUILT IN LOUISIANA

AN AMPHIBIOUS
CAR, BUILT
BY HAND.

Bert designed and fabricated the car himself, using components from an older Chevrolet 4×4 and a custom-built body.

Bert has explained that the same engine drives the wheels and the marine jet system. There is no separate outboard motor.

See the original photographs
Bert seated at the wheel of the amphibious car as it floats in a calm stretch of water
THE ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE

THE BUILD / AT A GLANCE

BUILT WITH PARTS
BERT KNEW.

The car started with familiar vehicle components. The amphibious body and its layout were built around them.

Builder
Bert Sandlin
Built in
Home garage
Donor parts
Older Chevrolet 4×4
Body
Custom amphibious design
Water drive
Engine-driven marine jet
Demonstrated
On land and water

Speed and cost figures reflect Bert's account of the prototype.

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHSTHE MACHINE UP CLOSE

THE PROTOTYPE,
UP CLOSE.

Photos of the body, seating, mechanical layout, and time on the water. Select any image to see it larger.

Photographs from Bert Sandlin's amphibious car project.

VIDEO FOOTAGEORIGINAL DEMONSTRATIONS

SEE IT
MOVE.

Watch the original footage of Bert's amphibious car on the water. Each link opens YouTube in a new tab.

Amphibious car moving quickly across the water FEATURED WATER TEST

MORE DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS

02Demonstration video 2Watch on YouTube 03Demonstration video 3Watch on YouTube 04Demonstration video 4Watch on YouTube

BERT'S LARGER IDEA

BUILT FOR
THE WATER.
IMAGINED
FOR MORE.

Bert has bigger plans for amphibious vehicles.

Bert describes a need for amphibious vehicles that can be used in everyday field work, so their operators are familiar with them when flooding creates an emergency.

He has also sketched out ideas for larger amphibious rescue and medical transport vehicles. Those are future concepts, separate from the prototype shown on this page.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS BERT DESCRIBED

  • Flood response
  • Waterway patrol
  • Remote access
  • Medical transport concepts

These uses are ideas, not statements of rescue certification, government adoption, or operational readiness.

Read Bert's full statement
BERT'S HAND-DRAWN DESIGN
Bert's hand-drawn frog-like amphibious vehicle with four wheels crossing waves
BERT'S DRAWING LAND / WATER

THE BUILDER

BERT
SANDLIN.

The person behind Amphibian Motors.

Bert built the car in his garage with readily available materials and older vehicle parts. The photos and footage document his prototype and his interest in developing practical amphibious machines.

“The future is now and it can be done cost effectively.”— Bert Sandlin

HAVE A QUESTION?

CONTACT
BERT.

Questions about the prototype or Bert's ideas for amphibious vehicles? Reach him directly.

Email Bert

Press Esc or select outside the photo to close.