Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a groundbreaking entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to how it forced Steve Rogers to face the harsh realities of the modern age. However, it also offered a chance for the audiences to get a closer look at the inner workings of S.H.I.E.L.D. and its many facets. This could be shown from side groups like the S.T.R.I.K.E. team to unique gadgets. But perhaps the most classic S.H.I.E.L.D. item was teased in a truly harrowing way.
When Nick Fury was under attack by Hydra on the street, he tried to activate his propulsion systems, implying that his SUV could take flight. While this was a deep cut for fans of the comics, it was also a promise that audiences would see S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most famous vehicle brought to life. That said, after over a decade of teases, the flying car has yet to debut -- but there's still time.
SHIELD's Flying Cars Were Teased Heavily in the MCU
From as early as Captain America: The First Avenger, flying cars were teased heavily. However, as the movie took place before S.H.I.E.L.D. existed, it was instead teased as a creation by Howard Stark. However, even though his ambitions to make a car fly were impressive, the technology had yet to reach a point of sustainability. As far as the movies went, this was also the only time a flying car was shown in the MCU.
Flying cars were always a fixture within S.H.I.E.L.D. and were heavily showcased in the comics. But it was in the series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that the flying car made an official appearance. At the time, the series was also canon to the MCU, meaning that there was finally a payoff to the previous Easter egg. However, once the series was decanonized, it simply became a pipedream of what could be. Now, with S.H.I.E.L.D. defunct, it would seem there's no hope for the flying car to return. But that's not entirely the case just yet.
Fury's Flying Car Could Still Return to the MCU
There's much mystery tied to the Disney+ event series, Secret Invasion, making it hard to say who could be trusted and what other characters could even appear. However, one thing that's certain above all else is that this will be Nick Fury's story and a perfect tale about espionage and spycraft. As a result, it may also establish that Nick Fury will be back to basics after returning to Earth and be forced to use old tricks to outsmart the invading Skrulls. This may also mean more classic tools being used, such as a flying car.
Furthermore, with Fury being the director of S.A.B.E.R., he could also retrofit flying cars as a means to travel from space to Earth when needed. This means the iconic vehicles could get a second chance with a much more important role. Furthermore, their return could serve as a payoff to a promise made long ago about how flying cars have existed but were never actually shown in the MCU.