Arrowbile (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Arrowbile was an innovative flying car developed by the Waterman Arrowplane Corporation in Santa Monica, California, during the years 1937 to 1938. Founded by aviation pioneer Waldo Waterman, the company aimed to merge automotive and aviation technology, resulting in a unique vehicle that could operate both on the ground and in the air.

The Arrowbile was powered by a Studebaker Dictator Six engine, which drove a pusher propeller. It featured a three-wheel design, with a single wheel positioned at the front. In terms of performance, the Arrowbile could reach a top speed of 125 miles per hour (200 km/h) in the air and 75 miles per hour (120 km/h) on land. Waterman intended to market the vehicle through selected Studebaker dealerships at a price of $3,000. However, the manufacturing costs exceeded this price point, complicating its commercial viability.

A significant setback occurred when a crash landing during a demonstration for Studebaker executives effectively ended any prospects for mass production. Despite this, Waterman managed to construct five units of the Arrowbile himself, although details regarding their sale remain unclear. In 1958, he attempted to create another flying car, the Aerobile, which was powered by a flat-6 Franklin engine.