Russian Hot Air Balloon Car Takes Off, Sadly Doesn't Reach Emerald City of Oz

While most of them focus on installing electrically-driven rotors that would generate the force needed to lift the vehicle and its occupants in the air and then propel them forward, some much less hi-tech solutions might do the job just as well, albeit at a more leisurely pace.

The relatively well-known automotive-themed Russian pranksters from Garage 54 figured they could get a car in the air using the age-old technique of hot air balloons. To do it, they needed a small enough car to turn it into a functioning nacelle. Luckily, the Russian carmaker VAZ had the perfect solution: the diminutive Oka, or VAZ-1111.

The 635 kilograms (1,400 lbs) car had to go through a series of modifications before it could be tied up to a balloon and flown in the air. These included carving a big hole in its roof as well as removing everything on the inside as well as the windows. In the end, the Oka was left with just its body, wheels, and suspension system - the latter two necessary for a smooth landing.

Getting the Soviet-era city car in the air was an event-free process, and so was getting it back down after hovering above a field for a few minutes at a certain height (while being tethered to the ground). However, it was only after publishing the video that the team faced its first problems.

The Moscow Times reports that Novosibirsk (the place where the stunt took place) transport authorities didn't like what they saw and subsequently accused the pilot of violating the laws for airspace use and aircraft handling.

It all resulted in a $116 fine, but the prosecutors are looking to obtain a ban for the man until he can acquire the proper documents for the aircraft as well as a medical certificate and a pilot's license. Watch the clip below to make up your mind whether it was all worth it or not.