Like 007’s amphibious Lotus? How about a Sea Lion?
Heading for a fish supper? Simon de Burton reckons you’ll need this amphibious one-off that’s fast on land and water
Mecum auctions
The Sea Lion automotive name might have been nabbed by modern-day electric vehicle maker BYD but, back in 2012, it was aptly used on the remarkable creation you see pictured here – which was once fantastically described as ‘the world’s fastest amphibious car’.
The Sea Lion is just one of the 275 lots of cars and motorcycles and 1000 lots of automobilia being dispersed from the estate of the late Larry Klairmont, a decorated WWII marine who went on to make his fortune in property cleaning and real estate.
The supercharged Mazda 1.3 rotary engine is mid-mounted
Mecum auctions
Sidepods carry cargo and double as flotation devices
Mecum auctions
Front wheels retract into arches
Mecum auctions
The Sea Lion has a single seat and a joystick controller for use on the water, a steering wheel for the road
Mecum auctions
Clearly a fan of the unusual, his collection also includes a 1990 Pulse Litestar Autocycle (think: jet-fighter cockpit on wheels), a Pebble Beach concours-winning Rolls-Royce Phantom III with aerodynamic bodywork and a 1956 Continental bubble top custom car with a Perspex canopy roof.
But the Sea Lion is probably the most far-out vehicle of all, being made from CNC milled, TiG-welded aluminium and with front wheels that are hydraulically drawn into the arches to reduce drag in the water.
Body is made from stainless steel and CNC-machined aluminium, TiG welded to form a sealed monocoque
Mecum auctions
A modified Berkeley jet drive propels the Sea Lion through the water at up to 60mph
Mecum auctions
The car also features retractable sidepods for both storage and flotation and a supercharged 1.3-litre Mazda rotary engine that connects to a jet drive for amphibious use, with the car/boat being driven by a joystick when on the water. Described by Mecum Auctions as a prototype, it was designed and built by Californian boffin Mark Witt and has a claimed top speed of 180mph on land and 60mph on the water. Witt offered it for sale in 2012 through specialist car dealer Fantasy Junction, when it had a price tag of £160,000 – and its voyage began.
It gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a car that handles like a boat.
Looking to make a splash? Then this is the vessel for you
Mecum auctions
2012 Sea Lion prototype
On sale with Mecum Auctions, Chicago, September 20. No reserve. mecum.com