1950 Aerocar. AMAZING factory built! See photos

[George Albright]

Please see Ebay Auction # 260910909117. Up for auction is a very rare and historically significant vehicle to aviation and automotive collectors and historians. The "aero car" was built around 1950 in Wichita, Kansas in an unknown aircraft factory by the 4 aircraft factory workers pictured here. I have not found any of these people or their relatives yet. Somehow it made its way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and was stored there for decades until found by an unknown man several years ago. I bought it from a car restorer in Chicago a year ago. That's all we know history wise. It looks amazingly similar to the mid 1950s yellow Aero car pictured. That car is in the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Lakeland, Fla. However there simply is not a tie to that company. Just 4 amazingly talented individuals with a vision. The Aerocar has a 1947 10 HP Onan air cooled motor for power. It has a torque converter on both sides of the engine. From the torque converter, a chain runs down to a late 1930s or early 1940s Harley Davidson 3 speed motorcycle transmission on either side of the engine. Then a second chain runs from each individual transmission to a sprocket on an independent front axle, providing independent front wheel drive on EACH axle! Both transmissions are shifted through one cable on the cars dash. However both transmission cables have to be adjusted just right for them to shift properly at the same time. Struts, rims and wheels are airplane. Doors open like a 300 SL Mercedes! Car was originally covered with a wire lattice, then plaster of Paris covered over the lattice. The frame itself is one inch or so welded steel tubes. A few of them have rotted away in the floor area but there is enough of each missing one to easily see how to make a new tube and replace. Mainly needs a good cleaning and maybe a light bead blasting. If I decide to keep it I am going to restore it and paint just the steel superstructure and not add any latticework or plaster over the skeleton. I think it’s a marvel of engineering work just as is. The prior owner ran the motor earlier this year and said it runs good, though I have not tried to start it. AMAZING engineering! If you collect aero plane, airplane World War 2 II vehicles and items or vintage race cars or racers or speedsters, or just one of a kind odd ball stuff, this is for you! I accept wire or check payments. Will assist with USA or foreign shipping. Reserve price is $18,000. Probably weights 400 lbs or less. Wheels are about 5 feetish wide and car about 10 feetish long. Includes original bumpers and fenders, which were not on the car at the time the original photos were taken, and Plexiglas windows. Comes with a bill of sale. Stored in Ocala, Fla. Lots of photos just ask! This car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early. George Albright, Ocala, Fla. Cell 352 843 1624. Email: gnalbright@gmail com

[George Albright]

Here ia a link to the Ebay auction: Other Makes Other Makes - eBay (item 260910909117 end time Dec-16-11 14:39:17 PST)