A car enthusiast has completed his six-year project to turn his dream
sports car into a 60mph sea-worth vehicle. The Sea Lion, as inventor
Marc Witt calls it, is a completely bespoke car that can do 125mph on
the roads - and then fly down the pier into the water and keep up a
respectable speed as it sails past the yachts and boats. And this car
could be yours today, as Marc is now ready to cast the car-boat hybrid
adrift, putting it up for sale for $259,500.
Off the ramp and on to the water: The Sea Lion can drive straight into the water, and straight out to the horizon
The Good Ship Sea Lion: The $250,000 car has a top speed of 180pm by land, and 60mph by sea
Sea view: The Sea Lion prepares for a quick trip across the harbour
Almost like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The car has extendable panels and boot space which fold out at the push of a button
Out of the drink and onto the roads: The car's engine spurts out the remainder of the water as it prepares to start a road trip
Capped with a brushed aluminum and stainless steel finish, Marc built
the car himself over the top of a 174hp Mazda rotary engine, designing a
body which could function as a road-vehicle, yet also be waterproof
when hitting the lakes and seas for a spin. The car is one of 25
vehicles that is currently vying for the title of fastest amphibious
vehicle.
When Marc started building the car in 2006, he aimed to reach 60mph -
beating the water-speed record of 45mph set by an amphibious car. That
record has now risen to 60mph by a range of competing cars - although
with no official body to rule on the faster, many vehicles are claiming
the title. Still, Marc says that if the next owner upgrade his engine,
they can reach even greater speeds and land the record themselves - and
it is unlikely anyone will top his land-speed record for an amphibian
car of 125mph. Indeed, with an engine switch, the car is built out so
that it can take speeds of up to 180mph on the road.
The panels go back: The car converts itself from road-worthy to sea-worthy
By land, by sea... by bike? The car has 'boot space' on the side of the vehicle
Writing on Fantasy Junction, where the car is for sale, Marc said:
'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 the 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.'
The gear stick is a joy stick: The modified cabin/cockpit is ready to tackle both ways of travelling
Engines running, the car sails off into the distance, ready to buzz all the boats
