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If you’re a pup like I am—31’s still a pup, right?—you might remember reading about Moller’s flying car of the future in the Weekly Reader back in 1989-ish. By the year 2000, so the story went (I remember it vividly—the excitement was overwhelming), millionaires would be buzzing around in these Jetson-esque flying cars, and by 2010 or so an average schmuck like me could grab one for probably around $40,000.

Well, it’s 2008, I’ve only seen these things on the Internet, gas is $3.50 per gallon—and that’s oddly a relief—and that 1989 Moller 200X is for sale on eBay. Current bid: $20,000 with 24 hours left, well below the reserve price.

The company describes it as a piece of aviation history for sale. “The purchaser will be acquiring a piece of aviation history that is absolutely unique,” the Company’s President, Paul Moller said.  “Its development is viewed as the genesis of the Neuera and Firefly models going into production now and planned for sale in mid 2009.”

So this is likely an early attempt to drum up some publicity in advance of those offerings next year.

No hybrids or electric versions, yet, but the 200X is surprisingly fuel efficient at 45 miles per gallon; the M400 4-jet-engine Skycar gets 20 miles per gallon. Make sure you let your local Cadillac dealer know how aware you are you’re getting the shaft mpg-wise—he’ll likely say something about proper tire inflation or some other nonsense.