THE humble shed in a back garden is the site of some of the greatest inventions.

And that is where inventor Nick Warren has been carefully crafting away to create an amphibious car, capable of operating on water and land, entirely from scratch.  

Spanning more than a decade of planning and upwards of £30,000 of investment from his own pocket, Nick is hoping to infiltrate the automotive world. 

However, the Sturminster Newton resident and former private school teacher is looking for investment in his project, which he is “95 per cent certain will work”. 

 

The 74-year-old has been in touch with multiple people, including the government for grants, shadow cabinet members, universities, car companies and even a Top Gear presenter or two. 

“It seems like the last 12 months I have been going round in circles, passed around to different people by whoever I get in touch with – typical of government departments,” Nick said. 

“I contacted James May a while ago during covid, but he was too busy working abroad at the time so I went to his Wiltshire house and posted some letters in his letter box, but I haven’t heard back.” 

Bournemouth Echo: The car was built from scratchThe car was built from scratch (Image: AVD Ltd)

Nick said he was inspired to make an amphibious car of his own when he watched the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore, which famously featured a Lotus-cum-submarine. 

He eventually set up his own limited company AVD Ltd and has been pegging away in his shed since. 

“The design is slightly ongoing and that is where I hoped Coventry Uni would help me out,” he said. 

“Currently, the car is a shell; there’s no jet on the back for the boat and there’s no engine or hub wheels on the suspension because it would have to be rebuilt.  

Bournemouth Echo: The project requires outside helpThe project requires outside help (Image: AVD Ltd)

“We estimated a short while ago that the project would cost £300,000 to complete, but I don’t know. I have got enough money to cover the worldwide patent of it, but not enough for the whole project.” 

Nick took it out to Poole Harbour a few years ago and captured the moment on video. 

It was dragged along the water with a big rope, proving the design does work but it still needs an engine for the road bit and a water jet for the sea bit. 

He added: “The design is from scratch, it’s totally new and is not based on a car nor a boat.

“It has to look more like a car, but it has to be redesigned at the front because I don’t want it to look like a boat at the front.” 

Anybody who might be able to help Nick with his project, or knows anybody who can help, can get in touch with the Echo.