BOB POTVIN BLOGGER: DRIVING AN AMPHICAR ACROSS THE MISSISSIPI RIVER

Monday, January 16, 2017

DRIVING AN AMPHICAR ACROSS THE MISSISSIPI RIVER - 1963

How daring might I be? Boy was I daring to dare to drive an Amphicar across the Mississippi as midnight approached.

As an undergraduate at Saint Louis Univ. I met this doctor at a smoke shop where I worked: Lou's Tobacco. It was in March of 1963 and my visit to Mr. Marcus was usual and normal....all up to the moment when I observed this incredible little buggy convertible sporting two propellers!

I was mesmerized and smitten by the experience. The good doctor was a faculty member at the Medical School and went by the name of Henry Sauer. Mr. Marcus chatted with him as I schemed to gain his favor. Next to Clemen's Hall to grab my buddy, Frank W. Tencza. I was the captain of my ship!

The plot thickens as I drove this bizarre car with two passengers (Frank & The Doc) to Gaslight Square, St. Louis. Dixieland horns blared as Doctor Sauer pitched scotch. Frank and I stayed sober but were intoxicated with adventure!

"How does this car run in water?" I asked. Go ahead, drive it down to the Mississippi River. I did. In the meantime the doctor crashed on the rear seat, asleep!. The bumpy cobblestone levee told me I had arrived. Next, I throttled up the propelors and headed this convertible to the open waters of the Mighty Mississippi! I was headed for Illinois. OMG.

Midway, a beacon light either from a boat, or bridge beamed and scared me. I fogged the throttle and hit the shore, only it was Spring mud. My heart sunk as did my wheels. What to do? As I am clever, I adapted to the present conditions fetching driftwood. Boards allowed me to gain traction on the rear wheels. Phew.

Next, I drove towards civilization as the doctor awakened, trying to grab the steering wheel from my hands.A lady on the second floor of a tenement yelled something to us. The next thing I know was the East Saint Louis cops were upon the scene. Not good!

Amazingly, the police recognized Dr. Sauer! "Why don't you pay for a cab to get these students back to SLU?!" He agreed and we were free.

As dangerous as the whole trip was, driving a German amphibious car across the Mississippi in my youth was priceless. "No guts... no glory...no memories! "No kidding! LOL.