Sky's the limit

There have been several attempts at building cars that can fly, the Terrafugia Transition being one example. But a bloke in Washington DC, USA, has done the opposite, building a plane that drives.

Jeff Bloch built the odd-looking wing-less plane with some help from his mates, which is based on the fuselage of a 1956 Cessna 310 aircraft. The 8.2-metre long vehicle makes use of Toyota van underpinnings and drives just like a regular car.

"You see a plane driving down the street, your first thought is 'Oh my god a plane crash!'" Jeff Bloch told Barcroft TV. "And the second thought is, 'That's the coolest thing I've ever seen'."

The whole shebang cost Bloch just $US2600 ($A2680). Not bad for a car that turns more heads than a half-million dollar Ferrari.

Called 'Spirit of LeMons', Bloch has fitted it with racing seats as the vehicle was originally designed as a race car, to compete in the 24 Hours of LeMons. The race is a local parody event of the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race for budget vehicles, and takes place each year in South Carolina. The car's name also recalls an iconic aircraft from the past: 'The Spirit of St Louis', the singled-engined Ryan monoplane piloted by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 to win a prize for the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic by plane.

After a solid result at the grueling 24-hour race, Bloch decided to fit LED brake lights, indicator lights, headlights and a number plate to the car to make it street-legal. He also insured the vehicle, which was prudent considering the distraction it causes other motorists.

The car apparently attracts a lot interest from fellow motorists when cruising about, some of whom follow him around until he stops so as to ask questions.

Bloch says he has more plans for his peculiar ride. As well as entering more novelty races and rallies, he wants to drive the vehicle across the USA.

It raises the question, however, what other planes would have made good cars? We're sure someone has built a Winnebago-based C47 Douglas Dakota/DC-3 in the past. And why not a Messerschmidt Kabinenroller as a Messerschmidt BF109? A Bristol 406 with a gun turret from a Bristol Beaufort... Hmmm.

Other memorable 'conversions' include like Rod Hadfield's '55 Chev - a road registered vehicle powered by a 27-litre V12 engine that powered the Supermarine Spitfire and the North American P51 Mustang.  Hadfield painted up the car with WWII-vintage P51D colour scheme, and rumour had it the car would almost 'take off'.

What's your idea of the ultimate conversion of plane-to-car conversion? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.