Driver-pilots who are tired of waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to clear the Terrafugia Transition flying car for sale have at least one alternative. Another car that can drive to the airport, spread wings and take off is available.

A 1954 Aerocar is for sale through Courtesy Aircraft, a Rockford, Ill., seller of antique and collectible airplanes. Like the coming Terrafugia vehicle, the Aerocar was designed to address the question that has plagued many private pilots: How to get to and from the airport?

Unlike the modern Transition, which has folding wings that deploy electrically, the Aerocar tows its wings and tail section on a trailer. The owner has to assemble the craft when ready to fly. Still, the seller said a practiced pilot should be able to convert the vehicle from road-going to airworthy in about 10 minutes.

While the Woburn, Mass., company that builds the Transition said it expects to begin delivering the vehicle to customers in two years or so, the Aerocar is available now. However, its asking price of $975,000, reduced from $1.3 million, is steep. The Transition costs $279,000.

As a vintage novelty, the Aerocar is likely to require more maintenance than the newer flying car. And because few Aerocars were made and only a handful are still around today, finding spare parts and mechanics capable and willing to make repairs will be challenging.