FLIGHT OF FANCY: STORY OF ‘MIZAR,’ THE GALPINIZED FLYING FORD PINTO

A flying Ford Pinto? Yes, we promise. A flying Galpinized Ford Pinto? Sure, why not?

In 1973, aeronautical engineer and inventor Henry Smolinski had the idea of beginning with a rear single-engined Cessna Skymaster, removing the main front cockpit section, and replacing it with a car. This way, one could fly to their destination, separate the airplane section, park or otherwise store the latter at the airport, and then drive the car without a stop at a rental car counter. No more commuter traffic on the 405! Quite an idea – and one which actually got off the ground, literally and figuratively.