James Bond and nearly every other spy with high-tech gadgets have something like the Amphicar, a car that is also a boat. In 1961, the Amphicar was a new idea to help people be more mobile. Unfortunately, it couldn’t make the cut. The problem with cars like the Amphicar is that they are trying to do too much. It is a compromise between a boat and a car, which makes it mediocre at being either one.

The design had two major flaws: it was slow and it leaked. Its top speed on the water was only 7 mph, which was slower than some sailboats. Also, it leaked constantly because it had loosely sealed openings. A bilge pump had to keep pace with the leaks or the car sank.