• Although the work crew has ended the weekly sessions for the summer, much was accomplished this spring since our last report. Work resumes in Sept after a well-deserved summer break.
• One of the major areas being finished is the large display area. After painting the inside for rust prevention, flooring and side panels are being constructed. (Don - check this wording.)
• New red lens for the rear brake lights have been made and donated by Johnny Smith in Richmond Landing, MI
• Work continues on a comprehensive video showing the history and restoration being developed by Al Batts, Mike Ball and Don Bratt. Don is doing all the directing; in fact he spent his winter vacation in Florida writing the script and doing the sequencing of the video clips.
• Numerous areas continue to be painted or touched up as we go. Art Meidema and Connie DeJong have been the chief painters on the project and have certainly been busy. For major painting projects, the vehicle must be moved outside on a non-work day and covered in plastic. This was the procedure for painting the interior display area in May with the help of Don and Del. The painting alone took 5 hours. Montana Paint continues to be our paint supplier - a tremendous donation.
• Lights are close to being completed including front and rear turn signals, running lights, headlights and taillights. The lighting fin is now set up with four 110V AC sealed beam lights as supplied by Graybar Electric. The windshield wiper system is now in operation.
• The cab upholstery is about 50% done thanks to Warren Veurink.
• As you can see and imagine, there is still a lot of small details to compete this fall. Hopefully by the end of this calendar, we will be able to say it is "done".

• The trailer that was ordered has proven to be a bit frustrating. The order was placed earlier this year with very detailed specs on what is required to accommodate a vehicle of this size. When it was received in April, the workers quickly discovered that it was not built to our unique specs. The manufacturer and the dealer presently are trying to work out changes that have to be made to accommodate the Futurliner. We have had several meetings and alternations are being made.
• Consequently, the 2 shows that were under consideration for this year have been canceled.
• On the positive side, the donated, well-used low-boy trailer that we had hoped could be lengthened, repaired and modified (but could not be made to work) was recently sold by Ed DeVries for $500. Ed can "sell refrigerators to Eskimos" according to Don and the project appreciates the extra money.

• As many of you know, the only exhibit that exists from the original parades is called the American Crossroads. It resided in the Museum of History and Science in Chicago for many years, was returned to GM, rebuilt and displayed in the 2001 Detroit International Auto Show in the same simulated Futurliner partial side that was used in Chicago. This display is now back at H.B. Stubbs in Detroit where it was originally built in 1941.
• In mid-May, 16 members of the work crew drove to Detroit to view the display, observe the current condition and to explore the next possible step. It has been a dream of the project to someday reunite the display with the vehicle.
• To bring you all up to date on what the AMERICAN CROSSROADS display is, Don summarized the background and a few facts out of a GM Press Release about the display:

"Our American Crossroads"

    "This 16-foot animated diorama, through voice and action, demonstrates the transformation of a rural community of 50 years ago into a thriving suburban community of today (1953). The exhibit emphasizes the major part the automobile has played in bringing the country and city together.
    Crossroads is one of the Parade's most popular exhibits -- and certainly one of the most complicated ever built. It represents a real step forward, in the opinion of GM officials, in exhibit technique and showmanship. The complete exhibit, not counting the Futurliner in which it rides, weighs more than 4,000 pounds (we found it stenciled with 6,200#). and contains practically every metal as well as various plastics, synthetic enamels, rubber and wood. Exhibit techniques used in Crossroads include stop-motion, conveying chain, automatic light dimming, synchronized sound and action, and diminishing perspective in motion. The mechanical construction and modeling took more than 15,000 man-hours of labor and the intricate exhibit involves the proper synchronization of some 25 electrical motors and 70 contacts.
    Our American Crossroads is designed to show the part the automobile has had in changing the face of America -- and not only the nation's looks but also her way of life. It covers four decades in the life of an imaginary crossroads community, Pleasant Corners. To cover these changes, the entire scenery is shifted three times -- from 1902 to 1920 to 1953. "
    After the Parade of Progress was over, the American Crossroads display was stored at H. B. Stubbs. At one time there was discussion by GM to destroy the display but several GM people as well as Stubbs employees (including Paul Grondin) stepped in to save the display. Subsequently it was restored and then moved to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
    Again after a long tenure at the Science and Industry Museum the display needed considerable refurbishment to keep it running. Again there was discussion to have it destroyed and again GM as well as Stubbs (Paul Grondin and others) stepped in to stop this from happening. It was again placed into storage at Stubbs.
    For the 2001 International Auto Show in Detroit at COBO hall the American Crossroads exhibit was again repaired for this show. Software was developed and computers were employed for the electrical as well the audio portions. The firm hired to do this work rented all the equipment to Stubbs and as a result, once the show was over the rented equipment went back to the electronics firm. So presently the AMERICAN CROSSROADS exhibits is without its brains to function.
    That brings us to today. The AMERICAN CROSSROADS exhibits sits in a warehouse. It cannot be used until it again is restored and furnished new brains. The volunteers of this historic Futurliner Restoration project are still seeking a way to someday reunite a working AMERICAN CROSSROADS exhibit with the Futurliner.

GM HERITAGE OPENING, June 11, 2004:
    Don and Carol Mayton were invited to the grand opening of GM's Heritage Center. The reason for the invitation was again to explore the possibility of reuniting the Futurliner with the American Crossroads display. This is still being discussed.

AMERICAN CROSSROADS CHALLENGE:
    If GM does consent to either loan or donate the American Crossroads display to NATMUS a new set of challenges/opportunities presents itself, specifically:

1) Facility - To do the restoration and install the exhibit within the Futurliner will require a building of a minimum of 5,000 square feet. The Futurliner was restored in a 1200 square foot building. We have already received a commitment for a building with power, light and heat as a donation to accomplish this restoration. This building is located in the west Michigan area near where the Futurliner is currently being restored.
2) Mechanical - In mid-May the volunteers looked over the American Crossroads exhibit. It appears that the exhibit is mechanically in good shape. We have also viewed several videos taken when it has been in operation. The restoration skills of the volunteers can tackle any mechanical restoration necessary.
3) Scenery - The West Michigan Model Railroad Club has made a commitment to do the required scenery restoration.
4) Electrical - Within the skills of the volunteers we have had two electricians contribute their services Again these skills are available within the group.
5) Computer / Software - Although these skills are not available in our current group, we have contacted the West Michigan Model Railroad Club association and they have make a commitment to help in this area.
6) Financial - The Futurliner Restoration never ran out of money once the project started. However, we did have to work hard to keep the funds coming in. For the American Crossroads restoration we would have to seek financial donations from:
a) Businesses
b) Seeking government grants.
c) Once the Futurliner restoration is complete and the $25,000 that was loaned for the trailer paid back, we will again seek funds from the public at large.

• Posters and hats are 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. An order form and additional info is on the web site and the mailing address is below on the Donation Form. Please use the full street address and not the PO box. Credit cards are accepted at the museum.
• You can also see the poster (along with its history) and the hat on the web site (http://www.futurliner.com/poster.htm).

• The project site continues to be a major draw for various car groups. The Buick Club Driving Enthusiasts visited in May with 120 folks in 60 antique cars. They invested in a good amount of hats and posters so the project benefited substantially.
• It is amazing to us how many people run across the web site and are following the project without our knowledge. Occasionally we get an e-mail from somewhere in the country (and indeed around the world) expressing their amazement with what this group is accomplishing and supporting the desire to retain a part of GM history.