Fly Ride: Designer Converts Aeroplane Into Road-Legal Car

By John Balson @JJBalson

QUIRKY car designer Mark Ray is flying high on America's roads - driving a converted light aeroplane

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Videographer / Director: Chris Watkins
Producer: Ian Phillips, Dan Howlett
Editor: Ian Phillips

Mark Ray has spent $10,000 converting a light aircraft into a road-legal vehicle

The 56-year-old was the brains behind the Plane Car, a fusion of a 2003 Cirrus SR22 and a Chevrolet Tracker - costing $10,000 (£6,500) to complete.

Winging it: Mark and the team used a converted a 2003 Cirrus SR22 for the unusual vehicle

He said: "The Cirrus was perfect for me because the aircraft has a fibreglass body which makes it lighter but more durable than your average aluminium aircraft.

"The reaction I get driving it is priceless. People will look in the rear-view mirror and see an aeroplane and start panicking."

Humble beginnings: The rest of the frame was built using a Chevrolet Tracker

Mark, who owns a paper shredding company, was already turning heads in a homemade Boat Car.

Final touches: Mark put the finishing touches to the Plane Car, painting it blue and white and adding decorations

But his daughter Brianna, 17, thought he was getting bored with it and encouraged him to start a new project.

Interior design: The interior was completed by Mike Rivera of Rivera's Upholstery

The tail needed to be trimmed by 20 inches to stop the finished vehicle scratching over cars on the road

It took five months to build with from Steve West of Flex-Fab, Mike Rivera of Rivera's Upholstery and Brandon Geddings of Controlled Motors.

The first step was a fabrication conversion of the Chevrolet Tracker and the 2003 Cirrus SR22 into one vehicle.

Road-legal: The car had side-view and rear-view mirrors, taillights and seat-belts attached

They then made it road-legal by attaching side-view and rear-view mirrors, taillights and seat-belts.

Propelled to fame: Mark says he is mobbed by surprised fans whenever he takes the Plane Car out for a spin

The tail had about 20 inches shaved off it to prevent it accidentally scratching other vehicles.

Cock-pit stop: Mark keeps the Plane Car next to his other quirky ride - the Boat Car

Mark then finished the project with a paint job before taking his family out for a spin around their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Despite its bizarre appearance, it is used as a family car rather than just special occasions.

Mark said: "I take my son to school in it - and the school goes crazy.

"All the people just go nuts when they see the Plane Car and we have a good time.

Different class: For now Mark is happy keeping the Plane Car in his fleet - but hasn't ruled out selling it

"When we go out for dinner there is a full crowd of people and I have to answer a tonne of questions about it - but that's part of the game. If you have an unusual vehicle you have to answer questions about it.

Fly ride: Mark's car outside his home in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

"But I really do like it a lot and I think I will probably one day pass it onto my son.

He added: "I've had a few people ask if it's for sale and I've told them that it wasn't right now - but if the right price was offered to me I would maybe sell it. Money does talk - but I'm really enjoying it right now."