2025

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Moulton Taylor Aerocar Archives
Published 4.9.2025

An early Aerocar with Moulton B Taylor

The history of the flying automobile, known as the Aerocar, is the legacy of Moulton B. Taylor (September 29, 1912 - November 16, 1995). He was an inventor and aviation enthusiast, who was born in Portland, Oregon and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in engineering.

Moulton B Taylor 1 Moulton B Taylor

In 1936, Taylor received flight training with the Navy while serving with the Pacific Fleet. He was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his work on the Navy’s Gorgon Missile program.

Aerocar sales material 3 The cover of an Aerocar sales brochure

After World War II ended, Taylor founded Aerocar International in Longview, Washington. In 1949, Taylor designed his first flying automobile prototype and successfully flew it for the first time one year later. That was followed by four and a half years of constant engineering testing. In December 1956, after many years of development, testing and modifications, the Aerocar’s design was certified and granted approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Aerocar in flight 4 The Aerocar in flight

Historians have reported that only six Aerocar models were ever produced. Taylor’s Aerocar was first introduced to the public in 1950. It had a top speed of 67 mph, a cruising speed of 55-60 mph and was considered one of the first realistic flying automobiles ever seen.

Aerocar sales material 5 An Aerocar sales flier

Throughout Taylor’s career, he wanted to innovate and create a new way for people to travel. His small flying vehicle was the visionary’s concept to true transportation freedom. The Aerocar introduced the advantages of a true flying automobile experience and reminded me of the flying car that George drove on the popular 1960s cartoon series “The Jetsons.”

Aerocar plastic model 1961 CROPPED AND RESIZED 6 An Aerocar plastic model, 1961

Not only was the Aerocar designed to fly, it was also able to transform from automobile to aircraft. The Aerocar project cost more than $750,000 and many long hours were spent testing it both on the road and in the air. On the road, the vehicle was tested over more than 20,000 miles. The Aerocar had to comply with all the motor vehicle laws in place at the time from each state.

An actual flying car the taylor aerocar RESIZED 7 An actual example of the Taylor Aerocar

While the Aerocar generated positive interest from the both media and consumers alike, Taylor could not find an automaker or aircraft company to manufacture his product in mass numbers due to safety concerns. In 1970, the Ford Motor Company expressed interest in the Aerocar project, however, with government safety concerns and environmental regulations, the idea went nowhere. In 1968, an Aerocar III was built, and today, it is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

The Aerocar III on display at the Seattle, Washington Museum of Flight

In conclusion, when Taylor passed away, his design of the Aerocar was put on display for future generations to see at several museums. His creative automotive design that could also fly will always be remembered in our history books.

Bibliography

“The Taylor Aerocar: History of a Flying Car.” Motor Trend, April 23, 2020.

Weiss, Arturo. “The Story of the Taylor Aerocar.” Simple Flying, June 26, 2022.

Cipalla, Rita. “The Aerocar, a Combination Car and Plane, Makes Its First Public Flight in Longview on December 8, 1949.” HistoryLink.org, Essay 20930. December 3, 2019.

By Robert Tate, Award-winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Media Archives
Published 4.2.2025

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Photos from the Henry Ford Heritage Association, the Ferens Collection and the Automobile Reference Collection
Published 3.26.2025

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Images Courtesy of Cord Museum Archives
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Images Courtesy of The Peter Helck Collection
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Images Courtesy of General Motors Heritage Archives
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Images Courtesy of the Ford Motor Company and the Ferens Collection
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2025

Remembering Moulton B. Taylor, Creator of the Flying Aerocar

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