S.H.I.E.L.D. Flying Cars

It's getting near the end of the year, so time to do what we usually do, and not write so much about cars. Or at least real cars. Or cars that stay on the ground.

If you're a regular Marvel comic book reader, you'll know a little about the S.H.I.E.L.D. flying car.

it's been a been a staple of Marvel comics since the 60's. S.W.O.R.D. has used them, She-Hulk had one for a time, but the original, the classic will always be the one designed by Tony Stark for S.H.I.E.L.D. Essentially a modified Porsche 904, it became a vehicle of choice for S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Numerous design changes have been implemented through the years, always based on a European car chassis, with it's flying mechanics seemingly copied by Robert Zemekis for a certain flying DeLorean. The big difference between the two however, is that while the Delorean is a time machine masquerading as a car , the S.H.I.E.L.D. flying car is made for action, armed to the teeth with cannons, missiles, and tons of state of the art surveillance equipment. The car, though altered many times in the Marvel continuity, still makes appearances in various titles.

As stated, although the original was a Porsche 904, there have been other makes used; Porsche Boxters, Aston Vanquishes and even a special one used by Reed Richards (Mister fantastic of tthe Fantastic Four) that had holographic projectors to make it look like whatever it needed to fit in Tony Stark had his own flying car which was a Chrysler Prowler, but knowing Mr Starks, he probably has a whole garage full of different ones, just because he can.

Lets explain the whole 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' thing; what does it stand for?

Originally, the acronym stood for Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division, very 1960's Man From .U.N.C.L.E. It was changed in 1991 to Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate.
Confusingly, within the various Marvel films as well as in the animated series, the acronym stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. There are lots of other organisations within the Marvel universe that use acronyms, like for example S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department), A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) and H.A.M.M.E.R. Well, we would tell you what that last one meant, but it's never been revealed in Marvel continuity; in other words no writer has bothered to think of a meaning...

Top Trumps Flying Car Of The Day...

And a truly awesome model built from scratch by someone; Can one of the model companies release one of these to buy please? Pretty please?