What’s
Happening! |
- As with the last issue, the big news is
that the new GM supplied and designed roof is taking shape. On Jan 25,
GM employees Bill Warren and Vic Soliz delivered the new
roof bulk heads that had been assembled and then disassembled
for shipment in Detroit. The GM personal left Detroit early that
morning, worked all day getting it in place with and then drove home
late that night. We thank these dedicated men for their help and long
hours. Mike Ball and Don assisted the installation of the rear
bulk-head which required the floor of the Futurliner had to be
repaired for welding. After assembly, measurement were taken to be
sure it was correct and it was tack welded in place. The procedure was
repeated for the front bulk-head. Final welding will be done when
everything is in place. A big thanks to the Bill and Vic from GM-PPO
who got up at 4 AM and got home sometime after 8PM.
- The second parts were delivered on 2/14
and consisted of the new center section (front to back). This one
piece is about ˝ of the total roof assembly. GM-PPO delivered it, Ed
Devries brought his high-low lift truck, they pulled the vehicle
out of the garage and with many safety ropes attached to the 16’6"
section, it was lifted into place. The work crew continues to secure
it and add necessary supports. Del, Ed and Don, using the
forklift truck, got the center section installed on the bulkheads that
previously had been installed. The last 2 sections of the roof
assembly have been delivered and are waiting assembly.
- Four new members of the work crew have
joined us recently. Art Meidema from Moline Mich., Marty
Reed from Holland Mich., Stan Bowers from Kalamazoo and Harold
Sullivan from Muskegon. Welcome, all help is appreciated.
- The brake system is being finished up by
Del Carpenter and Jeff Miller.
- The steering wheel we listed as a
"need" has been satisfied by Tom Kuhlman. He was able
to remove one from one of his military vehicles that we can rebuilt.
- The air conditioning compressor and
condenser have been removed by Dick Saddler and Marty Reed
and taken by Bud Dinger to a local company for rebuilding.
- Mike Ball
continues to catalog, file and research information on the project. This
has become a huge job with all the info you all are supplying. We’re
looking for a digital camera so that more photos can be added to the web
site and included in future newsletters.
- The interior of the cab is being
engineering, fabricated and installed by Dick Saddler and Marty
Meidema. Taking the old upholstery, they have laid out the
interior of the cab to recreate the original seating, headliners, air
conditioning unit and ducts and all hardware.
- Bud Dinger
has completed the sheet metal around the rear wheel wells as well as the
metal replacement above the rear bumper. Jim Baker has continued
to work the rear upper body sheet metal.
- Connie DeYoung
continues
to do the bulk of the welding along with a friend, Art Meidema.
- The upper side door frames have been
repaired with new bracing and are ready for installation. Phil
DeVries also made new latches for these doors.
- The lower side doors that were built by Sparta
Sheet Metal, are installed on new hinges manufacturered by Phil
DeVries
- Wally Snow
has designed and built new 12V electrical harnesses for the complete
vehicle. He also has been gathering new instruments for the dash. In
addition, he has taken some trim home and started the polishing process.
- The drivetrain is complete from the
front transmission back to, and including, the rear axle.
- The engine is ready for installation
once the brakes and wiring are completed.
- Two additional carburetors have been
donated to the project that actually are in better shape than the
first one. Two have been rebuilt by Dean Tryon in NC with the
best parts so we will have a spare and/or one for the second display
engine and drivetrain.
- Steve Cordes
has picked up the tire-wheel assemblies to have the tires dismounted and
the wheels sandblasted and then powder-coated painted.
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| History |
- Through all the material donated, we
now have a complete list of al the communities that the Parade of
Progress visited including the dates and number of people visiting
the events.
- The rear transmission was apparently
originally shifted from the drivers seat. (Ours was done from
underneath the rear of the vehicle.) Del Carpenter has found
evidence of the original linkage Steve Cordes and his friend John
Ujvari offered to search for the cable and rods system used on
other trucks for us.
- Don received a post card from his
sister that was obtained on eBay that is titled "AGAIN
CHEVROLET LEADS THE PARADE OF PROGRESS". It also announces the
new 1933 Chevrolet. The interesting thing here is that the
first Parade of Progress was in 1936 and we understand that
the idea came out of the 1933-34 Worlds Fair in Chicago . In
Chicago, it was called the "Century of Progress". Can
anyone clarify this interesting fact?
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Other
Volunteers |
- Montana Paint
through Wyrick Products continues to donate paint and paint
products to the project.
- Weller Truck
recently donated some antique truck instruments.
- Many other suppliers are supplying parts
at their cost.
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Project
Needs |
- Scaffolding
has been found by Stan Bower and will be used about 1 year to provide
access along the sides of the Futurliner while the roof, light fin and
roof skin are being installed. Now we have to drive to Indiana to pick
it up.
- Autronic eye –
The original vehicles had the automatic headlight dimming system
called the "Autronic eye" installed on the dash. We have
found the eye at a swap meet but need the electronic control box that
goes with it. These were later called "Guide-matic" systems
used by all of GM and Ford. Jeff Miller and John Oldenburg
sent us info from about the operation and various models used on
various GM cars.
- We have a vendor who would like to
make a limited number of Futurliner models with part of the proceeds
to be given to NATMUS for this project. However, he must obtain GM
licensing approval to proceed. Is there a lawyer out there who might
help please?
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| Paraders |
- Don had a call from Doug Livy,
a Parader from the 1940-41 Parade of Progress. He is now 81 and
remembers the Parade as well as the Futurliners. He will be at the
Sept reunion. He recalls the travel trunks each Parader was issued
to carry their worldly possessions from site to site. They were
cream in color with red trip. We would still like to find one of
these for the collection and display.
- We are still looking for Paraders
memorabilia such as:
- Trunk
- Photos of the 1936 & 1940
parade (Streamliners)
- Photos of the 1941 Parade
(Futurliners with all new displays)
- Don also had a long conversation with
Parader Tom Raleigh who lives in Michigan and was on the Parade from
1939-41. He is now 85 years old and Don collected a whole page of
interesting background. Tom’s involvement encompassed the earlier
Streamliners and into the first use of the Futurliners in 1941
starting in Florida so he has a lot of interesting memories.
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Financial
Status |
We want to thank those that have contributed
to our project and those that continue to contribute year after year.
Also, we want to thank the businesses that continue to supply services
and products and no or very low costs. Fortunately the contributions
have always arrived so that this project has never been held up due to
money. Again, thank to all and keep up the good work.
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Misc.
Notes |
- Old Cars
weekly
magazine (2/14/02 issue) had a nice article abut the history of the
Futurliners with much of their information coming from our web site.
This article is also part of their new book "GMC: The First 100
Years" which will be available soon from Krause Publications Book
Dept. for $29.95 plus S/H. Call them at 888-457-2873 for a copy or visit
their web site at www.krause.com.
- Reminder – the Paraders Reunion
is coming up on Sept 4. (Contact Jim Morris if you are coming.
His e-mail address is jmm31411@aol.com).
My wife Les and I are coming up from NC for the event.
- The History Channel has broadcast
again (in Feb at least) the program on Modern Marvels (on busses and
motor home coaches). The end of it shows some old footage of the
Futurliners.
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Status
of
Other
Futurliners |
- In Feb., one of the guests at the
project (Howard Sullivan from Muskegon, Mich.) brought a post
card of the "Goebel Land Cruises" which has the 2 photos of
the same Futurliner that was converted to advertise the Goebel Brewing
Company. One card shows the 2 doors open on one side with a lecturer
and the other card shows both doors open with a miniature brewery
display. Howard’s father, Glenn Sullivan, was a promoter. Howard
also brought a letter from the Brewery dated 7/30/58. While the group
was studying the photos, Ed DeVries recalled that when they removed
the seats of our vehicle, Goebel Brewery literature was found buried
behind the rear cockpit seats. As they studied the photos closer, they
concluded that our vehicle is the same one based on extra attachments
unique to this Futurliner. Therefore, another piece of the puzzle
falls in place – our Futurliner was used by Goebel Brewery, then
Driesback Cadillac before being purchased by Joe Bortz who then
donated it to NATMUS. Small world!
- Motor Trend
magazine had a big article about Bob Valdez’s restored Futurliner in
Calif. This one as you recall was the one Don first saw that peaked his
interest and eventually led him into this project for NATMUS. The
article in the March 2002 issue has many color photos. Our project was
mentioned briefly in the article.
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