March 1961 AD
Fantasti-Car Mk-I
March, 1961 — The one that started it all. Reed Richard developed the Mark 1 flying car to help the Fantastic Four deploy quickly over the New York City streets. Even in the 1960’s midtown traffic was a bear. This version of the Fantasti-Car was dubbed the “bathtub” by many of Reed’s critics.
(Fantastic Four #3, 1961)
April 1961 AD
Fantasti-Copter Mk I
April, 1961 — To keep peace with local law enforcement and air force officials, the Fantastic Four opted for a more traditional mode of transportation. Just don’t tell the FAA about Reed’s upgrades.
(Fantastic Four #3, 1961)
March 1962 AD
Fantasti-Car Mk-II
March, 1962 — The following year Johnny Storm worked on a upgraded version of the bathtub. This version was equipped for space travel. This version was designated the Mk-II.
(Fantastic Four #12, 1963)
September 1964 AD
Bathysphere – Submersible
To help their arch-nemesis Namor the Sub-mariner end a civil war, the Fantastic Four take to the oceans with their newest submersible. Dubbed the “Bathysphere” — most likely by Ben Grimm, the team dives to Atlantis.
(Fantastic Four #33, 1964)
February 1990 AD
Rosebud II (Time Sled)
In 1990 the Fantastic Four need a vehicle to investigate a time bubble disturbance. Reed used some of the design of the original Mk-I to build the sled configuration. This one was dubbed the Rosebud II, a Citizen Kane (1941) movie reference.
(Fantastic Four #337, 1990)
February 1996 AD
Fantasti-Car (Unknown Configuration)
In 1996, U.S. spy satellites captured images of this new Fantastic Four aircraft. Details on this vehicle have not been disclosed.
(Fantastic Four #4, 1996)
March 2014 AD
Sleek Reconfiguration
An eager news helicopter captured this image. Sometime in 2014 Reed and Johnny redesigned the Mk-II Fantasti-Car. The model designation is not revealed, thus we are naming it the “Sleek” design. It was confirmed later that this version is able to split into multiple aircraft.
(Fantastic Four #2, 2014)
October 2022 AD
Johnny’s Hotrod
During the siege of the Baxter Building, Johnny Storm is spotted flying his custom hotrod model Fantasti-Car. Come on Johnny, flames are so 1950s.
(Fantastic Four #47-48, 2022)
November 2022 AD
Grimm’s Truck
November 2022 — While on exodus from New York City, Ben and Alicia took to a road trip in this modified pickup truck (dubbed the Grimm Truck). This appears to be a modified civilian model with upgraded suspension and custom moon roof. It is unknown at this time if any other technology has been added.
(Fantastic Four #1, 2022)
Update: Per Ben Grimm himself, the Grimm Truck has been rechristened as the “Fantastic 4×4”. (Fantastic Four #6 2023)
December 2022 AD
Classic Edition
December 2022 — Reed and Susan are spotted in a small town traveling in what looks to be the classic Mk-II. This maybe another remodel, possibly a Mk-III.
(Fantastic Four #2, 2022)
October 2023 AD
Dino SE Edition
After being pulled into a mirror reality, the Fantastic Four discover an Earth where dinosaurs became the dominate species. With great power comes dinosaur sized responsibilities. The dinosaur version of the Fantastic Four travel in a Jurassic sized Fantasti-Car Mk-II.
Side Note: Susan uses her powers to attach seats to the back of Dinosaur Iron Man. Would this be considered a Fantasti-Car variant?
(Fantastic Four – Volume 07 Issue 12, 2023)
February 2024 AD
Time Platform
During a recent excavation in the Arizona desert, Susan uncovers the remains of one of the Fantastic Four’s skeletons buried over 16,000 years ago. How is that possible? Reed and Sue take a ride on the Fantastic Four version of a magic carpet. Say hello to the Time Platform.
(Fantastic Four – Volume 07 Issue 17, 2024)
August 2024
Baxter Building Garage
In August of 2024, Earth was facing an invasion, but not from outer space. This time the attackers were from the sub atomic world of the Microverse. To combat this alien threat, Reed and the team dusted off one of their old vehicles named the “Reducta-Craft”, then shrunk themselves down to face their enemy. A fleet of older vehicles appears to still be in storage deep in the bowls of the Fantastic Four’s headquarters.
1. Intercontinental Passenger Missile
2. Xantha Saucer (Red UFO)
3. Fantasti-Copter
4. Pogo Plane (unknown configuration)
5. Spider-Mobile (Spider-Man’s ride)
6. Johnny Storm’s original Hot Rod
7. Reducta-Craft
8. Skrull-Ship (Water Tower)
(Fantastic Four – Volume07 Issue 23, 2024)
Welcome to the Relic Keep history of the Fantastic Four Vehicles timeline for Earth 616. These are the events that I have found through my reading of Marvel horror comic books. If you know of any Earth 616 vehicles not mentioned above, please leave the details in the comments below. Thank you.