4x4 Mag - Dutton Amphibian

Dutton Amphibian

The last production amphibious car - the Amphicar - was built in Berlin from 1961 to 1968. During that time over 3700 were manufactured and sold throughout the world. Since then there has not been a serious attempt to market an alternative. DUTTON is the first UK manufacturer to offer a fully amphibious car being at home on the road as well as on the water.

You may be wondering what an an item about a two-wheel-drive amphibious car is doing in this MAG. Well the fact is that we know that many of those who visit this MAG are just enthusiastic about all kinds of "odd" off-roaders and amphibious vehicles, and so if we can we'll feed you the items you want to read.

The downfall of the original AMPHICAR was due to the hull being manufactured from automotive quality mild steel, which naturally corroded at an alarming rate when in contact with water. The DUTTON hull is manufactured as a one pice moulding as is the deck, both parts are bonded together in the mould to form a single homogeneous self coloured GRP structure. The advantage of self colour GRP is that it can be repaired and minor scratches can easily be rubbed out. An anti-slip pattern is moulded into various areas of the deck as an aid to safety.

Dutton, based at Littlehampton, West Sussex, have been producing the MARINER S2 and COMMANDER for the past four years, and have recently increased the size of their factory by 60% to cope with demand. Dutton are the world's only manufacturer of civilian amphibians.

The MARINER S2 is based exclusively on the Ford Fiesta Mk 3, 1989-1996. The COMMANDER based on the new Ford Fiesta Mk4. Both models are a full four seater with storage behind the folding rear seats, under the seats, in both doors and glovebox in the dashboard. Whilst inside the DUTTON is just like sitting at the wheel of a Fiesta, the controls are easy to reach and where you would expect them to be. The five speed gearbox is recommended in conjunction with either the 1800cc diesel or the 1400/1600cc petrol, giving land speeds of 90mph and 95 mph respectively. Speed on water is approximately 8mph (7 knots).

All the external components are especially treated to resist rust. The drive shafts and steering arms (the only parts going through the hull) are fitted with stainless steel bearings with double rubber seals to keep the water out. The exhaust, heat exchangers and all fasteners are manufactured from marine quality AISI 304 stainless steel, and all the suspension parts are completely stripped down and painted with three coats of marine phosphate primer, marine undercoat and marine top coat. The silencer unit is of the perforated steel tube type. The headlights are covered with high impact rigid clear plastic to protect them from external damage and the ingress of water.

The jet drive unit which powers the craft in the water is rated at 60ps with a stainless steel drive shaft, it is hydraulically powered from the Fiesta engine via a mechanical dog clutch.

On land the car handles and drives just like a Ford Fiesta whilst in water it's a completely different concept ! Steering is by jets which are coupled directly to the steering wheel, so to drive on water you simply follow the instructions printed on the dash board :

Switch Bilge to Auto - Switch Engine Off - Move Black Lever back to engage clutch - Move Red Lever to forward position - Start Engine - Drive into water - When floating, disengage gearbox ... and you're sailing !

When leaving the water engage 1st gear and when the front driving wheels make contact with the land drive out.

This is a vehicle which can be either self build or built by the factory to order. The cost of the MARINER S2 built by the factory based on a second hand Mk3 Fiesta is £11,250 plus vat and the COMMANDER based on the Mk 4 Fiesta is £19,490 plus vat. There is a complete list of extras including hard tops, sliding windows and non-standard colour. If you're interested you can contact TIM DUTTON on 01903-721036, say you read about it here.