Search and Rescue

The "Search and Rescue" Mission

I have always loved machines, especially cars. I was educated as an architect, but I was also very interested in mechanical engineering.

Since European sports were always on the leading edge of technology and performance, I was always a fan of them and have owned many used ones. I have been an enthusiast for 30 years . For the same reasons, I have owned Amphicars for nearly the last 20.

Since one of my MS symptoms was slurred speech, I sounded drunk most of the time. Because of this, it became impossible for me to successfully deal with prospects in my custom residential construction business. And because of a few other MS symptoms, at age 50, I retired from my construction company. My company now is being run by the key employees. Four of them have become partners.

Amphicars are my favorite hobby. I started inventing accessories that make the car better. Since I wanted to own a trailer for hauling my car on long trips and couldn't find one that met my requirements, I designed and built a small and light car trailer. And since many Amphi owners were so intrigued by my design and wanted one, I decided to make and sell them. I named it "The Not So Big Trailer Company". That name is a take-off of "The Not So Big House", a well known residential architecture book. I also design enclosed Amphi trailers, as well as providing a line of full sized open and enclosed trailers "that look like they are going 100 mph when they are parked". I have sold about 20 on eBay. I have an associate who likes to deliver, so we deliver them all over the country.

I felt that someone needed to find all the cars that were hiding in barns and to put them into the hands of enthusiasts that would use them. I had always heard that it was almost impossible to find Amphicars, and if you did, the owners all know they are worth a fortune and consequently very difficult to purchase. But I know car enthusiasts all over the country. They all have e-mails and I have sent out hundreds of mass mailings telling these car guys that I am looking for Amphicars. I am shocked at all the leads I am getting. I am locating and buying Amphicars at reasonable prices; I have purchased six since June of ' 04 when I started my hunt. And I have built a reputation with the Amphicar Club for honesty and integrity. Just ask any Amphicar club member!

It is a always an adventure to rescue Amphicars! Most of the cars that I have found are in the Midwest, but I have even gone as far as the west coast to buy them. It is not expensive to ship an Amphi across the country. And if it is reasonably close, I load it on an NSB trailer and bring it home myself. I buy and sell Amphicars, and also provide a "finders service" for people who are looking for a car in a specific color, condition, budget, etc.

I can also pickup and deliver your car affordably.

- Robert