A Road-Worthy Flying Car for $3.5 Million

Want to be just like sitcom star Bob Cummings? We don't remember who he is, either -- but Marilyn Felling does. She wanted an Aerocar just like his, and now she's stuck trying to sell a really expensive flying car.

The Aerocar is a symbol of the heady dreams of the post-war era, and this particular example is the most original in existence. Forget about Moller's Autovolantor or the Pentagon's flying Darpa-car -- those haven't passed beyond prototypes. In a few years you'll be able to pick up a Terrafugia, but it just wouldn't have that 1950s charm.

At aerocarforsale.com
potential buyers can learn about the benefits of owning the Aerocar,
including "for inclusion in your private collection," "for a donation
to your favorite museum," "as a legacy for the heirs of your estate,"
and -- our favorite -- "for a 1031 property exchange." Marilyn Felling
insists that the car has been examined by a mechanic and
could be made airworthy in a few hours. Potential future owners should
also know that N103D hasn't flown since the Ford administration.

Despite all those perfectly rational benefits, after two years the Aerocar still hasn't attracted a buyer and Mrs. Felling
turned to eBay. We know that gas is getting cheaper, but we're not so sure about her decision to keep the "Buy it Now" at her original price of $3.5
million.

General Aviation News
reports that Marilyn and Carl Felling bought the Aerocar in 1981 with the
intent of restoring and flying it, but never wanted to risk damaging
the rare vehicle. "We realized that it was just too valuable to fly it
around because we might ding it," Carl Felling told the magazine. For
that reason, all the original details are there on N103D, including
some repairs made to the wings after a minor 1950s crash that involved
Raul Castro and a cow. During the 1960s the plane was used by a Oregon radio station for traffic reports. It was last flown in 1977 and sold in 1981 as part of a divorce settlement -- the same reason Mrs. Felling has the car up for sale.

The Aerocar was the brainchild of engineer Moulton "Molt" Taylor, who was inspired to combine wings and wheels after meeting the creator of the flying Airphibian. Unlike previous flying cars, the Aerocar's wings not only detached but folded. Though Taylor reportedly lined up hundreds of potential buyers, production ended in 1956 after only six Aerocars were built. In car mode, the vehicle is capable of traveling up to 60 miles per hour and also can trailer its folded wings. In flight the Aerocar can safely reach 110 mph, assuming that the operator properly connected the wings and propeller to the diminutive auto.

Photos courtesy aerocarforsale.com