Way OT....another GM Futureliner being restored

[BobT-47P15]

.....or, so it would appear.

This one was photographed at the 40th annual Bilsport Custom Motor Show

in Sweden. A huge undertaking on a huge vehicle. With a ways left to

go.

For anyone unfamiliar with the vehicle, there were a handful of them built

for use with the G M Autorama shows in the 1950s....to transport things

and get attention. I think they are considered 1953 models.

Here's a link to a site about a group of men who restored one....

http://www.futurliner.com/

[WatchingWolf]

these are awesome! Got to see one at Iola a year or two back!

[Greenbomb]

It seems strange that anyone would have let one of those deteriorate like that. It should have been obvious that it would be an instant classic. Of course, hindsight is 20/20. And I'm the king of woulda, shoulda, coulda.....!

[BobT-47P15]

It always amazes me how some people have taken very nice or very

unusual vehicles and simply let them become junk. Even something as

large and unique as the Futureliner. I guess it would be kinda tough to

store such a huge vehicle away from the elements.

[TodFitch]

Big project but cool looking when done.

How the heck did one get to Sweden? Must be a story there too.

[captden29]

i climbed up into the driver seat of one at a bus show in NYC when i worked in that industry. the driver seat is in the middle with a bench seat behind that seats about 3 passengers. it is not a very comfortable cabin and no air conditioning. visibility to the front and to the rear with mirrors is very poor. this would be a difficult and dangerous vehicle to drive for most drivers. you enter the driver cabin through a small door in the front on the passenger side and go up a small set of stairs. i believe they made 12 of these somewhere around 1939.i think 8 of them are accounted for, but i was unaware of one in sweden. one sold for over 4 million about 4 years ago at an auction. just crazy bidders, as they are valued around 850 thousand.great historical vehicles, and i am glad to see another being restored. capt den

[Niel Hoback]

This Futureliner was seen at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It belongs to the NATMUS museum in Auburn Indiana, but their rep said it was to big to fit in their building so it resides in Michigan.

Having dual front wheels means each hub has its own differential built in to it.

[Young Ed]

This one was at back to the 50s last year. It was very interesting to see it. As you'll see in the pictures it was quite the popular attraction. Hard to get a picture with all the people swarming it.

[desoto1939]

One of the restored buses was at Hershey I think it was last year or the year before. Yes very unique. One of the buses was sold at Barret Jackson for between 4-5 Million. It went to one of their regular bidders that has a huge car collection. This gentleman has tons of money and cost is no option for him.

[BobT-47P15]

Big project but cool looking when done.

How the heck did one get to Sweden? Must be a story there too.

Tod - I got to wondering about that also. Am at the office right now and

can't access the HAMB due to company system restrictions. But when I

get back home I think I'll PM the fellow who took the picture and ask

about it.

[Sigtyr01]

I have seen it several times at car shows here in Sweden, and the last time was during the easter at the same car show that the picture was taken, and its getting better and better for every show. Since I saw it just after it came to Sweden I'm a bit surprised how rusty it was and still is. The engine and the transmission are fully restored - [the engine was restored by a company here in my hometown]. Some of the interior has also been finished. The story, well if I remember correct it came over from the US 4-5 years ago after some issue with the previous owner [changed his mind I think] - I think I have the fully story in a magazine some were .... in Swedish of course ... just have to find it ...

[PatS....]

Nice to see those rigs being restored and displayed.

They surely are a piece of history...reminiscent of a great car industry shot to he!!.

I think we all lived through the very best of it and the most fun of it as well.

Maybe they will inspire a new generation to put the fun and excitement back into the biz

[BobT-47P15]

First, I discovered I didn't spell the name of the vehicle right.......it should

be "Futurliner". Second 12 of them were built about 1939 and 40. It seems

that 10 are accounted for today.

Here is a note from TinWolf, a HAMBer in Sweden including links to a lot

of info about the vehicles. Hope you find it interesting.

One article is in Swedish, the rest in English.

Hi Bob !

Well its number eight of the twelve Futureliners ever built and I bin looking forward to see it for quite some time and was fortune to experience its presence at Elmia 2011 in Jönköping Sweden. Its bin in Sweden for the last ?4-5 years and Nicklas whos a extreemly dedicated man brought it and are currently restoring it with a massive help from surrounding schools , businesses , friends you name it he dragged them into the project , this was a possibility for him to show the progress on the restoration and gather some more funds continue the project . To sit in the cockpit holding the steeringwheel was something of a long lost dream and I got to do it , please see the progress on these links :

http://www.classicmotor.se/artiklar/...verige/?page=1

http://www.futurliner.com/other.htm

http://www.futurliner.com/nicklas_jonsson.htm

http://www.futurliner.org/Newsletters/fl_news_4_09.pdf