44th Street Block Party features music, food, games — and an Amphicar

Don Ross with his Amphicar.
Trying out the dunk tank at the block party is 13-year-old Garrett McDowell, who will be an eighth grader at Brier-Terrace Middle School this year.

Story and photos by Doug Petrowski

Mountlake Terrace resident Don Ross never gets tired of showing off his 1964 German-made Amphicar — a vehicle meant to be used on both land and water. He’s been seen this summer in the Tour de Terrace parade, the Brier Realty Porch Light parade and numerous other events in the area. He brought it to Saturday’s 44th Avenue Street Party on a whim.

“I heard the music from my house and decided to bring it over,” Ross said.

Ross bought the amphibious vehicle 10 years ago for $10,000; he’s put a lot of time, money and energy into it, including replacing the transmission and the engine. “I wanted more

Arkansas and the River Bandits were one of the bands that played Saturday.

power, so I put in a Spitfire engine,” he said.

Less than 4,000 Amphicars were built during its factory production from 1961-1967. Ross claims his is one of only 12 in the state of Washington.

All proceeds from Saturday’s block party, sponsored by Sorelli Pizza, MLT Liquor and Wine, and Big E Ales, will be donated to the Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood Food Banks and MTYAA.

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