Roehrig Amphigeo

The Amphigeo is a home-built amphibious car made by Mark Roehrig of Kentucky from a Geo Metro. Roehrig was inspired after seeing an Amphicar drive down a boat ramp at an antique boat show in Mount Dora, Florida, in March 2000. Working with a modest collection of second-hand tools, a MIG welder and gas torches, he converted his Geo in about five months, in time to present it at the Amphicar club's national swim-in at Celina, Ohio, that August.

Design

Roehrig chose the Geo for its light weight, good floating attitude, compact size and robust aluminium engine. Much of the original car was kept, including the engine, gearbox, drive shafts, steering, suspension, brakes, seats, dashboard, radiator, fans and fuel tank, which kept the cost very low. The engine and transmission were moved to the rear: one output shaft drives the front wheels and the other drives the propeller through a chain, so wheels and propeller always turn together. Roehrig later reused the idea of mounting the engine on the floor inside for his Wheelsea bus conversion.

History

After two years of use Roehrig judged the design reliable. He wrote a 130-page book, 'The Amphigeo Story', published by Trafford in 2003, explaining how others could build one, and also produced a video. The car itself was later offered for sale in running and swimming condition.