Sea Lion - Amphibious Sports Car

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

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