Futurliner News
GM Futurliner Restoration Project
National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States
ISSUE #27 -- JANUARY 2006

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  January 2006
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    This 27th and final quarterly newsletter is a reflection that the vehicle is complete! As you all know by now, this project has been an all-volunteer effort with the goal of restoring one of the twelve GM Futurliners, originally built in 1940, to it’s original and functional condition. The vehicle is owned by the National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States (NATMUS) in Auburn, Indiana and was rebuilt under the volunteer direction of Don Mayton in Zeeland, Michigan.
    We hoped you enjoyed the October issue with numerous before and after color photos. It gives you a good sense of the accomplishments of the group from the project start in 1998 until now. These photos are also on the web site.
    Starting this year, we will scale down our newsletters to two per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. We will be focusing these newsletters on:
    - Futurliner display status
    - Up coming shows for 2006 and a review of those completed
    - Preliminary shows for 2007 and beyond
    - Display trailer status

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

What's Happening     The restoration project is done and the vehicle has been placed in the storage garage near Zeeland MI that is being provided by one of the volunteers. The work crew will reconvene monthly to take care of any unfinished items that arise and to plan for the various requests to show the Futurliner this year. As we’ve said many times, it has been 7 years of Tuesday work sessions for this talented group of volunteers and we all owe them a big thank you. Since NATMUS has to alter their driveway, change a door for entering the museum and build a ramp, we will continue to store it in Michigan.
    The group will continue to finish the construction of the display trailer that we’ve discussed. This phase of the project is being headed up by volunteer Del Carpenter who lives not far from Don’s house. This trailer is utilizing the actual dual front wheels, axle and suspension of a spare Futurliner and includes an operating engine, transmission, PTO in the rear that drives an original generator with the original electrical control box. The inspiration behind it was the fact that visitors to the show vehicle cannot see any of the powertrain components. It is an impressive addition to the Futurliner exhibit. See photos below.


    Another project being done by our volunteers is building a new display for the inside of the Futurliner. (Our discussions with GM about rebuilding the original "American Crossroads" display and reuniting it with the vehicle have not been successful.) Al Scholten is heading up this project. Fred and Marge Carpenter have been doing most of the work at their home putting all of the elements together. They have collected lots of memorabilia representing some of the original displays that Futurliner #10 carried as well as displays that were in other vehicles. One of our shows for 2006 will be at Iola, WI and this will be the first show for this new display. Ryan DeVries is also putting together the motor and gearbox for a rotating turntable for this display.
    Other items completed since the October issue includes the cockpit upholstery, wiring and speedometer, door locks and enhanced display materials of the restoration project.

2006 Schedule 

    The group and NATMUS continue to get many requests to have the Futurliner at various shows around the country. These are not easy tasks to do however. Although we have our own special trailer, we need a tractor to pull it, at least 4 of the volunteers present anytime it is moved (driver, mechanic and 2 for show setup), other volunteers there to answer questions, set up display materials and to generally oversee the vehicle and exhibits. The trailer display is being set up to be pulled with most any truck with towing capability of 5000#.
    Consequently, guidelines have been set up for each of these events and basically require the show to provide money, trucking services, etc. Neither NATMUS nor the project can finance these requests in our present financial situation.
    Tentative plans for 2006 include the following shows:
    - Ameila Island, Florida – March12
    - Iola Wisconsin – July7-9
    - Auburn, Indiana Labor Day parade – 9/4
    - Glenmoor Gathering near Akron Ohio – September
    - AACA meet & show at Hershey, PA – Oct. 7

Financial status: Poster, Hats, "T" Shirts & now a Video:     We continue to have a number of interesting items for sale thru NATMUS as fund raising activities for the project. First is the video that includes 5-10 min. of original movie footage from the early 50’s with many photos and movies of Futurliners in action and the rest of the 40 min video is this restoration project. It is titled "Miracle at Beaverdam", is available on either VHS or DVD and can be ordered from NATMUS for $25 (including S&H).
    Posters and hats are available thru NATMUS for $10 each plus $3 shipping. You can also see the poster (along with its history) and the hat on this web site.
    "T" shirts are available for $20 with a color photo of the Futurliner and the words "Miracle at Beaverdam".
    The Futurliner model built by John Betts from Retro 123 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. Cost is $1845 + shipping and handling. Photos are on our web site and below with Don. To purchase one, contact Retro at 815-338-7693 (in IL) or check out their web site at www.retro1-2-3.com.
    Donations are still required to close out this project and to cover the outstanding loan on the special trailer that was purchased. 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.
And Finally:  We want to give recognition to the 2 people who made this project possible. First is Joe Bortz who acquired several of the original vehicles many years ago and donated this one, #10, to NATMUS in the 1990’s. Thanks Joe.


Joe Bortz and his Buick Wildcat I in NYC

    And of course, we want to again recognize Don Mayton for his vision of restoring this Futurliner when most others thought is was an impossible, and extremely costly, venture. As many of you know, Don saw one of these on the streets of Calif. in 1997 and had no idea what it was. This one turned out to be owned and converted by Bob Valdez to an art deco motor home. Bob had used modern engines and drivetrain components and converted the inside to an elaborate motorhome décor. The outside was intact and still has the GM letters on the front. When Don saw this and started his research, he came across the unit sitting behind NATMUS and worked out an arrangement to head up this project. As Don researched this unusual vehicle, he discovered one at NATMUS, negotiated a plan to restore it for them and the rest is history.


Don Mayton at a 2004 Christmas party receiving a gift from the volunteers.

Miscellaneous:

    A 1957 Buick Special 4 door sedan was donated to the project and sold several years ago. The Buick provided much needed funds for various aspects of the project.

    The Futurliner that was restored by the FIDO Company in Canada (as shown on our web site) was sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Texas in January. This group provided much needed assistance to Don and our project several years ago that is very much appreciated.

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