Put In Bay

Put in Bay Hotel, Put in Bay Lodging, Put-in-Bay Ohio

216-898-9951
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Annual Put-in-Bay "Amphicar Days"

Name: Annual Put-in-Bay "Amphicar Days"
Start: 20230731
End: 20230801

HEEEEERE THEY COME!

Annual Put-in-Bay “Amphicar Days”

Hosted by the Put-in-Bay Island Guide

Monday July 31 & Tuesday August 1
(addt’l days likely Thurs, Fri, Sat Aug 3,4,5)
For more info & latest appearance locations – call 203-910-7903

A summer favorite since 1999!

Join us as we welcome the annual Amphicar Reunion to Put In Bay.

A gathering of these rare and amazing 1960’s “swimming sportscars” will be here at Put in Bay on Monday and Tuesday, with extra visits happening thru Saturday.

An icon of the “Swingin 60’s”, when we were going to the moon, and James Bond flew with a jet-pack, Amphicars are the only full-production amphibious car ever made. Built in West Germany with BMW & Dodge-family backing, for a few special years in the space age 60’s, everyone could be as cool as 007 with their own Amphicar. Featured in movies, TV shows…and even as a grand prize on “The Price is Right”, these rare cars are now highly-prized collectibles, with young and old sharing the same wide-eyed love for them. You never forget the first time you saw a car drive into the water, and say OMG – can this be REAL!! Yes, Virginia, they’re real….and if you play your cards right, you might even get a ride in one, at the annual Put In Bay “Amphicar Days”!

We’re so excited to welcome the Amphicars’ back in 2023!

The Amphicars are making their way back to the Bay for their annual pilgrimage in 2023! Details beyond the dates are still scarce, as the event remains in the early planning stages, but read on to find the itinerary for last year’s event to give you a general idea of what to expect!

2023 Itinerary

Lake Erie Amphicar Week
Jul. 30-Aug. 5
“Home-base” Lodging for the week at Commodore Perry Hotel, Port Clinton

Sun, Jul. 30:
Cars arrive Sunday 4pm and gather for meet & greet until closing at Dock’s Beach House in Port Clinton (across the street from Commodore Perry Hotel)

Mon, Jul. 31:
Cars gather for 8:30 am breakfast at A La Carte Diner in Port Clinton
10:30/11am – cars board Miller ferry from Catawba to South Bass Island, hoping to repeat last summers wonderful VIP “Welcome Parade” with Paul Jeris, and arriving at PIB ramps for 12/1230 splash-in demonstrations with new media, followed by harbor parade led by Audra B or other host-vessel.

*** Afternoon / eve schedule & annual “water voyage” to Middle Bass & back to be held Monday aft or Tuesday, depending on weather & if cars can be lodged overnite (to eliminate need to rush to catch ferry back)

Car rides, business visits & publicity viewing till 7pm for cars returning to mainland & till after dark for those that can stay!

Tues, Aug, 1:
Breakfast at Topsy Turvy Bar
Noon Lunch at Joes Bar
Car-swim from State Park, past Ship House, and (if didn’t go to Walleyes on Mon, possibly to Walleyes till 430/5pm return to ramps)

Car tides, business visits & publicity viewing until 730/8pm ferry back to Docks Beach House

Wed, Aug. 2:
Port Clinton Day
A la carte breakfast
Air Museum visit
Boon Docks bar/other waterfront bar stops
Docks & Off The Rock till close

Thurs, Aug. 3 & Fri, Aug. 4, poss Sat, Aug. 5:
PIB visit day/s!
(Overnite if accoms allow)

Sun, Aug. 6:
Lunch at Docks for remaining cars
Depart afternoon

Beach it up, Bay lovers- with the coolest cars ever built!!

…Amphicar – the sportscar that swims!

For more info – call 203-910-7903

Interested in coming to this event? Contact our favorite lodging partners!

Island Club Rentals (islandclub.com) – 216-898-9951
Put-in-Bay Condos (putinbaycondos.com) – 216-898-1105
Commodore Resort (commodoreresort.com) – 419-285-3101
Victory Station Hotel (putinbayvictorystation.com) – 419-285-0120
Bird’s Nest Resort (birdsnestresort.com) – 419-285-6119

And follow these quick links to plan the rest of your trip!

Spotlight on Amphicar Owners

Billy Syx – Mays Landing, NJ

One of the few people in the world who restores Amphicars, Billy Syx is a respected expert on them. While traveling thru Ohio in 1999, he spotted the Erie Islands on a map, and decided to check it out. With his famous yellow car “SPLASH”, he has been bringing his Amphicar-friends to the area every summer since! Of the uncountable locations Billy has traveled with his Amphicars, Lake Erie is his favorite.

Jon March – Glastonbury CT

Jon grew up with the Jetsons, the Rat Pack and Lost in Space, and his best friend became Frank Zappa’s keyboard player. When he saw an Amphicar gassing up at the New York Worlds Fair in 64, he knew he needed one when he grew up. Although he never grew up, he did get an Amphicar. “Jonny Swing” says “life’s short: drive into the water!” He is always ready with great stories and Amphicar fun.

Dr Craig Oiler – Catawba Island, OH

Craig grew up loving the water, and saw his first Amphicar about 30 years ago. Years later, when another one photobombed his PIB wedding to Jen, he knew it was a good sign! Craig and his friend Brian Snyder are two of the newest owners in America of rare 1960’s Amphicars, and spend much of the summer at Park Place Boat Club on Put in Bay

Put-in-Bay, OH, USA

Jul 31 - Aug 01 , 2023

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