What’s
Happening! |
- The work crew is off for the annual
summer break but accomplished a lot this year. The vehicle is nearly
done and will be a several shows this summer including the AHTS show
at NATMUS in Auburn, IN (see more info below on the June 5-6 show), at
Gilmore's Museum in Hickory Corners, MI on August 6-7 and
Coopersville, MI on August 13. After the August shows, the vehicle
will be put into storage until the final work sessions resume this
fall.
- Numerous small but important details
have been completed this year, too numerous to list here. However,
there are several significant areas to note. The cab upholstery and
interior headliners are done. Flooring for the display area (period
linoleum and tile) has been donated by Forbo Industries in Penna. and
installed for free by Brian and David Westmass of Westmass Flooring in
MI. Our thanks also to crewmember Jerry Sigler for arranging this
work.
- Vos Glass, who installed the windshield
for us, took on the task of manufacturing the two quarter panel
windows. Since they are curved, it was no small task and not something
that could be shaped. But, these talented folks managed to find a
windshield from a 1973 Chev truck that had the correct curvature in
both directions! Sparta Sheet Metal made the unique window frames and
together with Vos, made the final installation.
- The spare Hydramatic transmission was
sent to Memphis Equipment in Memphis TN for rebuilding. It is done and
now part of the special display trailer that is being constructed at
Del Carpenters house, not far from Don's.
- The display trailer is coming along
nicely and will be a great addition when showing the vehicle. This
trailer will have a functioning engine, transmission, cooling system
with radiator, rear 2 speed transmission, generator operating off the
PTO (power take off) from the rear transmission and a control panel
for the generator. The wheels are a spare front axle for the
Futurliner. This trailer display can be pulled behind most any pickup
truck.
- One show that was very successful was a
benefit for Burn Survivors held near Grand Rapids, MI on May 21. At
least 24 members of the crew participated. Thanks to the donated help
of Fred Hoffman of Star Trucking who used their tractor to pull the
Futurliner on our trailer.
- The Futurliner was driven to Wyrick
Products for their open house since it was a short drive. Wyrick had
donated all the paint products for the project for six years now. This
has included primer, paint, body putty and other products.
- One small but valuable task was taken on
by Fred Carpenter and Wayne Jackson. Our unit was #10 as you know and
originally, they had special Michigan Manufacturers plates with these
numbers. They took it upon themselves to find an original 1953 plate
(which proved to be impossible) and then had one made. They located
dealers that donated plates that were then modified with the correct
numbers. They made a presentation to the project in April and it looks
great. We are number M-78-10, a plate that will be used for display
only of course. A regular Indiana plate must be used to transport the
vehicle on the road.
- Projects to be completed in the fall
include the construction of a permanent display in the 8'x16' display
area, the air conditioning system, the display trailer, cab flooring
and weather seals on the light fin and 20 other miscellaneous items.
- Please check out the web site (www.futurliner.com)
for weekly photos taken during the work sessions and you can see the
progress in great detail.
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| American
Truck Historical Society (ATHS) Show - June 2-4, 2005 |
-
This was tremendous event in June in Auburn,
Indiana with over 1000 trucks plus the highlight of the show, the
Futurliner. At least 34 crewmembers, volunteers and spouses participated
in our display answering questions and selling videos, DVD's, hats, polo
shirts, etc. We raised over $5000 in donations towards the project.
-
On Wed June 1, Dwayne from Marsman
Construction arrived at Ed DeVries storage facility, connected the trailer
with the Futurliner already loaded and headed south towards Auburn. It was
unloaded and placed on the show field that evening. On Thursday,
volunteers and spouses started showing up and they set up all the display
material.
-
Several special events occurred during the
show. First, Brad Boyajian (our supporter from Calif also with Futurliners
for rebuilding) noticed that we had 2 different types of hubcaps - one
1940 and three 1953 caps. Brad called his wife at home and had her find
the one hubcap he possessed, package it and sent it overnight Fed Exp.
Brad presented it to the crew on Thurs as a donation to the project.
Thanks Brad!
-
Another surprise was a donation of two yellow
fog light that are the center lights. We had not been able to find them so
far and used, until now, 4 white headlights.
-
The Paraders there had a reunion Thurs night
and during the evening, Jim Genzel presented us with two reels of original
Parade of Progress film footage.
-
Saturday was the public day for the show with
the field packed with interested people. By 4 PM, the Futurliner was
loaded back on the trailer and by 9 PM, it was safely back in the storage
facility in Grand Rapids.
|
| Special
Newsletter |
- The October issue of the Futurliner
News will be a special edition with color photos of the vehicle at
several shows this year. Since this will be an edition that will be
too large to e-mail (especially for those of us using dial-up
Internet access), we will mail it to all who receive the newsletter
by e-mail. So - all you e-mail recipients, send me your latest
regular mail address so you can receive this special keepsake
edition. We send the Futurliner News to about 430 people by mail and
another 95 by e-mail. It is also placed on the web site (www.futurliner.com)
by Jim Crame and you will be able to view the photos there if you
prefer.
|
| Financial
status: Poster, Hats, "T" Shirts & now a Video: |
- As you've read before, a great video has
been developed by Don Bratt covering original movie footage from the
early 50's with many photos and movies of Futurliners in action and
documenting the restoration project. It is titled "Miracle at
Beaverdam", is 42 minutes long, available on either VHS or DVD
and is available from NATMUS for $25 (including S&H). Proceeds
help cover the cost of the project. Beaverdam is the small Michigan
town close to Don Mayton's house in Zeeland, Michigan and the
restoration site.
- 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. You can also see the
poster (along with its history) and the hat on the web site (http://www.futurliner.com/poster.htm).
- "T" shirts have been printed
and are available for $20 with a color photo of the Futurliner and the
words "Miracle at Beaverdam". These items have been added to
the form at the end of the newsletter to facilitate your ordering them
from NATMUS.
- NATMUS has a museum store on eBay for
all of the products above. Check it out at the
NATMUS E-Bay Store.
- Also, the Futurliner model being built
by John Betts from Retro 123 is now for sale. This is a large-scale
model (33" long) with excellent detail including all doors and
the top light bar that operate. They have obtained a licensing
agreement with GM for its production and a portion of the proceeds
will go to NATMUS to support this project. With the complexity of the
model, they are making just a few dozen each month. Cost is $1845 +
shipping and handling. Photos are on our web site. To purchase one,
contact Retro at 815-338-7693 (in IL) or check out their web site at
www.retro1-2-3.com. All sales and shipping are being handled directly
by Retro.
- Donations are still required to close
out this project since the special low-boy trailer that was purchased
has an outstanding loan to pay off. Many people have been very
generous in their financial support of the project and all donations
are deeply appreciated. You can be proud to be a part of this very
special and unique restoration project.
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| Miscellaneous: |
- In April, the NATMUS Museum was
designated by the National Park Service as a National Historic
Landmark along with it's neighbor museum - the Auburn Cord Duesenberg
Automotive Facility. To quote the National Park Service announcement,
these historic landmarks "possess exceptional value or quality in
illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the US". The two
buildings are former factory and service buildings of the Auburn
Automobile Co and today, are pristine examples of factory architecture
and construction from the 1920's.
- Correction - in the last newsletter
(April), I included a letter from Wes Myrick thanking those who
contributed to Futurliner model that was given to Don in appreciation
of his leadership of this project. We should have included Marge
Carpenter in the special group that made the plaque. Marg printed out
all the names on the plaque; thanks Marge. (Don - is this correct? Wes
called me on this some time ago when he realized the oversight.)
- One item that the crew needs (if someone
is motivated to donate one) is a large 40" or larger TV system
with CD or VHS player. This will allow us to showcase the video when
the vehicle is at shows or even at groups that tour the vehicle at
Don's or wherever.
- Thanks for your continued help. If you
have not made a tax-deductible donation to the project for this year,
there is still time and there still is a need to wrap-up the project.
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