The sight of a Ford Mustang that can drive directly into the water and emerge again is quite amusing. It’s not just for its comedic potential at boat ramps from California to Maine, but also because the concept of amphibious vehicles is generally seen as impractical. Thanks to Ford dealer Jim Eicher and his son, this unique “Aqua Sport” Mustang is a reality and seems to function quite well. Fortunately, details about its operation are available.
In a Facebook post and a comment elsewhere, Eicher shared that he and his son transformed a 1999 SN95 Mustang into the “Aqua Sport.” The vehicle is powered by a 500-cc two-cylinder motorcycle engine connected to the transmission’s input shaft, replacing the original V6 or V8 engine. A power take-off hydraulic pump generates up to 2,000 psi, which drives a three-blade propeller located at the rear. While Eicher has not disclosed its maximum speed on land or in water, he admits that the Mustang doesn’t excel in either setting—its standout moments occur during the transitions.
“While it may be a slow boat and not the fastest car, it’s entertaining to drive and is genuinely 100% amphibious. It always attracts attention when I drive it into a lake,” Eicher stated. “The Mustang is stable, and the best part is, it doesn’t seem to leak.” The Drive attempted to contact Eicher for additional details, but has not yet received a response.
Describing it as “stable” is a humorous choice for a single pony car, but I believe I’m not alone in finding the notion of an amphibious pony car quite appealing. A fleet of such vehicles, led by a converted Little Tikes Tuggy, would make for a fantastic way to celebrate my next Independence Day. In fact, I’m already considering having the Coast Guard on speed dial, just in case things don’t go as planned.
