This 1966 Mooney M20E Super 21 Is a High-Speed ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

201 mods and modern Garmin glass define the ultimate short-body efficiency machine.

FLYING Staff

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1966 Mooney M20E Super 21 [Credit: Southwest Aero]

Key Takeaways:

The 1966 Mooney M20E Super 21, "Today's Top Pick," embodies Al Mooney's design philosophy emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency and a tactile, pilot-centric flying experience over brute force.
This "short-body rocket ship" features the legendary Johnson Bar manual landing gear and a comprehensive 201 modification package, enhancing its aerodynamics for blistering efficiency.
Despite its vintage airframe, the aircraft boasts a modernized cockpit with advanced Garmin avionics (GTN 650, G5s, ADS-B) for 21st-century precision.
Listed at $114,900, this M20E is presented as a turnkey solution for pilots seeking a high-performance, sports-car-like flight experience without typical legacy single maintenance headaches.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1966 Mooney M20E Super 21.

In an era of aviation increasingly defined by automation and push-button flying, the early Mooney M20 series stands as a defiant reminder of what a tactile, pilot-centric airplane should feel like.

Al Mooney’s design philosophy was never about brute force—it was about the surgical application of aerodynamics. He didn’t want a bigger engine. He wanted a smaller hole in the air.

The M20E Super 21 is the purest expression of that mission—a short-body rocket ship that trades cabin cavernousness for blistering efficiency. Located in Chandler, Arizona, this particular airframe, with 5,435 hours total time, has been curated for the pilot who views flying as a kinetic sport rather than a passive commute.

The centerpiece of the M20E experience is the legendary Johnson Bar manual landing gear. Eschewing the heavy motors and slow hydraulic pumps of its competitors, the Johnson Bar allows a pilot to retract the wheels in a single, satisfying motion almost immediately after liftoff. It is the manual transmission of the sky—simple, bulletproof, and deeply rewarding to master.

While the airframe is vintage 1966, the aerodynamics have been dragged into the modern era with a comprehensive 201 modification package. This Mooney sports the sloping windshield and streamlined cowling typical of the later M20J, alongside aileron and flap gap seals. These refinements allow the 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D, with 810 hours since major overhaul, to propel the aircraft at speeds that rival much larger, thirstier 6-cylinder machines while burning significantly less fuel.

1966 Mooney M20E Super 21 [Credit: Southwest Aero]

The cockpit offers a striking contrast between mid-century mechanical soul and 21st-century digital precision. The panel has been gutted and rebuilt around a Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen GPS and dual G5 electronic flight instruments. With a FlightStream 210 providing a wireless bridge to your iPad and a Garmin GTX 345 handling ADS-B chores, the mental math of cross-country navigation is handled by the silicon, leaving the pilot free to enjoy the Mooney’s famous sports car handling.

Listed at $114,900, this M20E is a turnkey solution for the owner who wants to go fast without the six-figure maintenance headaches often associated with complex legacy singles.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.