This 6×6 amphibious vehicle is a genuine ATV equipped with a robust Honda engine, and it’s available for purchase.

      Kyle Rochell via Facebook Marketplace

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      Amphibious cars have never gained significant popularity, and amphibious trucks are mostly found within the military, but amphibious ATVs once dominated the market. Before the groundbreaking Honda ACT90 and the subsequent four-wheel models, having six wheels and the ability to float was fairly common. So spotting this Ate 6×6 on Facebook Marketplace is akin to coming across a fossil.

      Listed for $3,000 by a seller in Oklahoma, this ATV is intriguing not only for its unusual number of wheels and capability to traverse water but also because it reportedly features a four-stroke Honda engine, which should enhance its reliability. While this may not have been an original factory option—Attex often utilized engines from various U.S. and Canadian manufacturers—it's certainly perceived as an upgrade.

      Kyle Rochell via Facebook Marketplace

      Whether in a car, motorcycle, or ATV, a Honda engine is typically a reliable choice. This one appears to offer substantial power. The seller claims, “you can spin a 180 on a trail in no time” and uses the Attex for transporting trailers and boats. Similar to other six-wheeled ATVs, steering is accomplished by braking the wheels on one side, akin to tank maneuvering, which simplifies navigation in confined areas. The side-by-side seating that Attex provided was a notable benefit during its operational years, although contemporary UTVs now offer similar seating with increased space.

      According to Mudd-Ox, a current ATV manufacturer with a section of its website dedicated to defunct brands, Attex was established in 1967 by David McCahill, heir to the Maytag fortune. McCahill aimed to sell the Amphicat ATV but faced inventory challenges, so he collaborated with friend Roger Flannery to create his own ATV design.

      Kyle Rochell via Facebook Marketplace

      The initial Attex was reportedly a derivative of the Amphicat, but the company gradually expanded its ambitions, competing in the NORRA Baja 500 and developing a variety of both two-stroke and four-stroke models, including an electric version called the Electrica, which was available by special order. The company also created a prototype dual-wheel model named the Spirit and provided an 8×8 vehicle to the U.S. military for tank driver training.

      The simultaneous entrance of Honda into the ATV market and the 1973 oil crisis impacted nearly all U.S. ATV manufacturers, including Attex. Two years later, Attex lost access to the Borg-Warner T-20 transmission, which it and other 6×6 manufacturers had been using, as its rights were acquired by rival firms Recreatives and Hustler Corporation. The company changed ownership multiple times and reportedly sold a few vehicles into the early 1990s before fading away like many of its peers.