October 04, 2006 05:19 PM Eastern Time

Moller International’s Skycar for Sale on eBay

EBAY SKYCAR AUCTION LINK



DAVIS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moller International (OTCBB:MLER) announced today that its original four-passenger M400X prototype Skycar is going to be offered for sale on eBay. The auction is anticipated to start at 08:00 AM PDT, Monday, October 9, 2006.

The Skycar is a new type of aircraft, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calls a "powered lift" aircraft. It is designed to carry four average-size passengers and take off and land vertically (VTOL), while being small enough to be driven on the street. It is designed to fly at a top speed of 380 MPH with a range of 750 miles. The Company believes that this original flight-tested prototype will sell on eBay for over $4 million.

The prototype M400X Skycar has only been test flown remotely for safety reasons and because the existing air-cooled single rotor engines provided limited excess power in case of an emergency. The Company is in the process of replacing the smaller engines with liquid-cooled twin rotor engines generating nearly twice the horsepower. This will allow safe tether free flights with an on-board pilot. The purchaser will own the M400X immediately, but take delivery following its demonstration press flight. The press flight is expected to be attended by over one thousand members of the media from agencies located around the world. Moller International is responsible for maintaining the purchased condition of the M400X up until the vehicle is delivered to the buyer.

The Skycar is a personal transportation alternative to the automobile. The technology behind its development required the expenditure of over $200 million in today's dollars and 1+ million hours of labor. This M400X Skycar prototype first flew successfully in 2002. It is the first and only M400X Skycar prototype and is being offered in its "as flown at the press flight" condition with all systems intact including command software, double redundant stability system, fly-by-wire controls and eight unique Rotapower engines.

The Skycar has been featured on major TV and cable networks including World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, The Smithsonian Institute series "Invention" on the Discovery Channel and recently as one of the "Ultimate Ten Machines" on The Learning Channel. It has also been featured as the cover story on Forbes FYI, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, USA Today and numerous magazines and newspapers throughout the world.

According to the Company's President, Dr. Paul S. Moller, the Skycar in operation is remarkably simple to operate and is well portrayed in Clive Cussler's fictional novel “Atlantis Found” where, after an extensive series of computer-controlled M400 Skycar maneuvers, his action hero, Dirk Pitt, remarks that as a pilot "I have never felt so useless in my life."

The prototype can be delivered in its one-seat test flight configuration as flown or with four seats. Potential buyers are cautioned that this is a prototype model and considered an experimental aircraft. It has not obtained FAA certification and is subject to significant flight restrictions until approved. Further, the Skycar has not yet been approved as a road vehicle.

Moller International is a fully reporting public company and holds over 40 patents in transportation-related technologies. It has completed contracts with the National Air and Space Administration (NASA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), US Army Research Laboratory, the US Navy and US Air Force.

link

What do you think the chances are that Jay Leno will add this one to his collection?

:lol: :lol:

As I recall, this Skycar was offered on e-Bay once before for a "buy it now" price of
one million dollars. Didn't sell. Might not get four million either.
That said, they've been one of my dream cars for years now.

kujo54

Will have to dig up a lot of gold booty to afford that beauty!!!! p:

interesting!
would have thought they'd offer it after the exposure of the press event though..? :blink:

I'm waiting to see if Buddy Martin buys it. If you don't know who Buddy Martin is, just ask anyone who went to the convention! :lol: yike:

Hey can I borrow 4 million dollars from anyone? I'm good for it, I swear. :lol:

So basically you're not allowed to drive it or fly it. That's like buying dinner but not being allowed to eat it! :blink:

Current bid: US $1,753,150.00

EBAY SKYCAR AUCTION LINK

Can anyone find a Utube video or other of this??

Hey Tony, that was a good picture you found of the skycar -- I need to get busy and draw that thing.

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:lol: I love youtube.com The link works because I watched it! :lol:

I haven't read up much on this car, but I'd be willing to bet they got the idea of it from the AV-8B Harrier Jet, only with props, or it could be the Osprey (sp?)

Nice. Thanks, Tony!

The pessimist in me can't help but wonder if it's being held up by that giant crane in the background. :lol:

The auction has ended with NO sale!

Current bid: US $3,000,100.00
Reserve not met

Aw shucks, my offer of $2,999,998.45 got over-bid and it still didn't win. Ah well. :lol: