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101 Cars: Aerocar
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
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SPEED Staff  |  Posted June 23, 2008   Charlotte, North Carolina
Takeoff speed was about 50 miles per hour. (Photo: SPEED)

How cool would it be to be able to avoid rush hour altogether? It wasn't long after the invention of the automobile that people predicted we'd soon have flying cars. Never mind that everyone would need a pilot's licnese just to drive, of course. None of that stopped former navy pilot Moulton B. Tayler of Washington state, who invented and was seriously attempting to market the Aerocar. In airplane guise, it didn't look all that different from a small private plane, save perhaps for having its engine and prop mounted astern. The car part, as it were, resembled an egg-like compace, with a fenderless wheel at each corner. The wings and fuselage, when removed, could be folded up and towed behind the car. What was that understated expression that came with toy kits? "Some assembly required." Aerocar, however, claimed the conversion took just five minutes. Takeoff speed was about 50 miles per hour, and cruising range was estimated at about 300 miles. It's hard to imagine a sky full of these critter, but the idea of no more traffic jams is still an appealing one.

Specifications
Engine: Four-cylinder Lycoming 0-320 aircraft
Horsepower: 143
0–60 mph: About 600 feet of runway
Top Speed: 67 miles per hour (ground), 110 miles per hour (air)
Price New: $10,000
Value Now: Willing buyer, willing seller
Aerocar Photos



Claim to Fame

The dumb thing actually flew


Soundtrack

“Come Fly with Me" by Sinatra (duh)


Perfect Passenger

Anybody but D. B. Cooper


Behind the Wheel
As far as we know, none of the original prototypes are in running condition. So you'll need to build one yourself.


Did You Know?
The 550 Spyder, as a “sports car,” had to have a top, and though the 550’s top looks as fragile as Kleenex, it stays in place at least to 75 miles per hour...


The Perfect Drive
Road? Did you say road?



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Would anything ever convince you to go airborne in this? Leave your comments below!
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