Futurliner Newsletter for Oct. 2003

Futurliner News
GM Futurliner Restoration Project
National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States
ISSUE #18 -- OCTOBER 2003

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This is the 18^th newsletter to keep our supporters, volunteer workers and other interested people informed on the status of the restoration project. This is an all-volunteer effort with one goal - restore one of the twelve GM Futurliners to an original and functional condition. The vehicle is owned by the National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States (NATMUS) in Auburn, Indiana and is being rebuilt under the volunteer direction of Don Mayton in Zeeland, Michigan.
We want to mention again that this vehicle was donated to NATMUS in the mid-90’s by the Bortz Auto Collection in Highland Park, Illinois. Thanks to Joe and Mark Bortz for the donation that provided the basis for this restoration project. For more information on this collection, check out their web site at www.bortzautocollection.com

Don M. Mayton, Project Director
4521 Majestic Vue, Zeeland, MI 49464
616 875-3058

Dean G. Tryon, Newsletter Editor
2516 Laurelford Ln., Wake Forest, NC 27587
919 562-4660

Bortz Collection	From the BORTZ AUTO COLLECTION web site: Joe Bortz has made a life long hobby from his passion for cars. Cars are not transportation to Joe, they are literally moving objects of art. From the flow of the fender to the aerodynamics of the design, everything about a car is viewed from an art lover's vantage point with Joe. From the time that Joe was 9 years old and collecting new car brochures from every dealer within bicycling distance to his ultimate treat of the Chicago Auto show from the age of about 12 to 20 - never did it occur to him that he could actually touch one or sit in one of these beautiful cars. Now after over 30 years of admiring and dreaming about these cars he has amassed one of the largest private collections of dream cars. Not only has he become a collector of some of the most original works of automotive art he literally has saved many prototype cars from the "kiss of death". The fact that many of the concept cars were produced for ideas only, the manufacturers didn't want anyone to have these cars after they had been shown because of liability risks. So all of these cars were scheduled to be destroyed. As you can imagine, it was like telling an artist that when we're done showing your statue here, we're going to smash it. These designers would go to the front office and cry. Now and then, they managed to save one and they would be told, "Well, here, I'm giving you the car, but I don't ever want to hear about it again." Through sheer persistence and a driving desire to find these cars that had managed to escape the crusher, Joe and his son, Marc, managed to find 24 of these special one-only cars. Each car that Joe has acquired has been a treasure hunt with it's own unique history and story. It is interesting to note the camaraderie among car enthusiasts who have been kind enough to share their information on the different cars. The collection has been featured in many museums and car shows with tremendous response from the public. The cars just seem to generate more and more interest with every article, TV show and car show that they appear. And Don adds: "Joe, along with his son Marc, have had the vision to save those rare one of a kind concept cars that others passed by. Joe and Marc had this same vision by accumulating Futurliners that would have gone to the scrap heap . One of these was donated to NATMUS. Without this donation there would never have been a Futurliner restoration project. The Bortz Auto Collection is an important part of this historic restoration as well as all of the concept and one of a kind cars that have been saved. A big thank you to Joe, Marc and the Bortz Auto Collection. We would recommend a look at their web site of www.bortzautocollection.com.
What’s Happening!	After a very hectic spring with double work sessions during April, May and June to get the vehicle ready for the June GM Technical Center show, the work group took the summer off and resumed the weekly work sessions on Sept 23. Details of the GM show were in the last newsletter and are on the web site. This show generated many additional press articles including "Cars & Parts", "Car Collector" and "EDGE" (a GM magazine for dealers). One of the biggest accomplishments (or discoveries) was that of obtaining a very unique (as in long) low-boy trailer for the project. Again, the ingenious volunteers came up with a solution. As Wayne Jackson was driving in the Grand Rapids area, he observed a lot of activity at a lumber company that had closed its doors. As he drove by (and he is ever watchful for whatever), he noticed a trailer sitting in the yard behind the building. He could not let that go by so he went back to check it out. Sure enough in the weeds was a very worn and weathered low boy trailer. Using a dollar bill (6" long), he measured the critical length of the flat bed. It would work! Further inquiries indicated that it was going to the crusher the next day but that if we wanted it and could take it the next day, it was ours. Wayne called Ed DeVries and they went back (after dark by now) for further inspection by flashlight. Ed used his connections at a local construction company and convinced them to send a mobile crane with a tractor and low boy to load up this "gift". They got it out in time, delivered it to Ed’s workshop and the restoration of the trailer studied. It will need work on the brakes, frame, hydraulic power pack and other areas. But – it is far cheaper than the $35,000 quoted to buy one. Further work on this will await completion of the Futurliner itself.
Paraders & Archives	Bill Mitchell in Saginaw, Michigan has discovered other mementos that the project can make use of, or copies of. Many black and white photos are in the collection we will try to copy for the archives. One correction to the last newsletter was provided by Frank Faraone. John Ryan was a Parade Director in the 1950’s, Bruce Overbey was Assistant Director. Frank said he was a Lecture Supervisor and later Advanceman for the POP.
Project Needs	Although the vehicle might appear "done" if you look at the photos from the GM Tech Center, much work remains inside including body work, lights, engine compartment, interior display area finishing, electrical, paint touch up, air conditioner installation, drivers compartment upholstery, weather stripping/seals at all the doors and much much more. Hopefully most of this work can be done in the 2003-2004 work sessions. Refurbishing of the "new" trailer noted above will take time and money but the group has all the skills needed to get it done.
Financial status - Poster & Hats:	We are starting to look at the remaining work and the purchases that must be made. Like we have done in the past, we start by asking companies to donate the parts, services or supplies. Even if it is just a discount it saves money, but invariably we must make purchases. We know we will need between $15,000 to $20,000 to complete this project so if you are so inclined your donation is appreciated and is tax deductible. We do not pay any volunteers nor do we charge for utilities, volunteers transportation in getting here, storage or other items. The only thing we do pay for is if we break a tool of any of our volunteers tools we will replace them of course. Posters and hats are still available thru NATMUS for $10 each plus $3 shipping. Quantity orders will have a break on shipping and will be approximately 20% above the single item shipping charge. Contact Bobbie Smith at NATMUS for specifics for your quantity. They will be sold again this year at Hershey. An order form and additional info is on the web site and the mailing address is below on the Donation Form – please use the street address and not the PO box. Credit cards are accepted at the museum. You can also see the poster (along with it’s history) and the hat on the web site (*http://www.futurliner.com/poster.htm*). As you can see from the list of items still to be done, financial support is still required from the large group of loyal supporters. Your continued help is appreciated.
Misc. Notes	Peter Pan Bus - Your newsletter Editor (Dean Tryon) and his wife (Les) visited Peter Pan Bus in Springfield Mass. this summer on vacation and had the opportunity to see their Futurliner. It is used for PR events, city functions and is rented out for other special events. Although the outside looks authentic, they have used a modern 471 diesel engine, new drivetrain, a diesel powered generator in the rear and modern instrumentation. It is painted the Peter Pan green and white in the same manor as the originals were. One interesting addition was a camera on the front to allow the driver to see objects close to the front of the vehicle. It is the same unit as used on most motor homes as a rear camera. This is a very nice conversion and certainly a crowd eye catcher wherever it goes.