Buyer Says Historical Curiosity Bound For Museum

by ANN Senior E-Media Producer Paul Plack

It's truly amazing what you can find on eBay. Back in the 80s, engineers at Boeing burned through a reported $6 million developing three prototype vehicles designed to be able to drive on roads, float on water, and fly.

Legend has it that every flight of the vehicle, called the Sky Commuter, crashed before exceeding 10 feet in altitude. When the program was shut down, there was only one vehicle intact -- the one used for PR tours to raise more investor money.

You guessed it -- the only remaining Sky Commuter turned up on eBay recently. It sold Monday, for $131,700 US.

The winning bidder, who we know only as "prattesgirl," gets the 400-pound, 14-foot-long, composite-bodied car with three ducted fans... but it comes with a warning: Do not try this at home.

The seller cautions while the machine is a great museum piece, a stable control system was never perfected.

But, he also points out, the same could be said of the Moller Sky Car... which was recently abandoned after decades of hype, and a reported $88 million spent. By comparison, the Boeing Sky Commuter's reputed price tag is chump change.

By the way, the winning bidder says the Sky Commuter will go to a museum.

Nuts... I wish I'd seen that auction. I've been looking for something to drive to cruise nights this summer... Sky Commuter number 1 of 3 would have been lots more interesting than another '69 Nova SS!

FMI: Read The Sky Commuter's eBay Listing