• The crew has competed a week of restoration activities in April to fix/repair a number of items. The Futurliner was brought from the storage location to Don’s garage and a big crew joined in for the 4 days of work sessions. A summer of shows and hundreds of people climbing into the cockpit are showing some expected wear and tear. But it is worth it to see the smiles, the enthusiasm and recollections of people viewing the unique vehicle.
• Several areas were repainted or touched up. The underside was also gone over completely, removing rust and repainting where necessary.
• The gear motors for the large 16’ doors were removed and new bearings installed.
• New weather seals were installed on the 16’ doors to correct some leakage we had last year (all car shows are not sunny and bright!).
• The inventory of memorabilia was updated and more supplies ordered. Our first supply of the new model (see photo below) is nearly sold out and we are waiting for the next shipment.
• Electrical repairs were completed including the tail lights and electrical control areas.
• The carburetor that was removed at Hershey last year was disassembled in NC, the leakage area found and corrected and tested on a ’59 Buick.
• A new exhaust cut-out valve has been installed. You might ask why does it need an exhaust cut-out? Good question – it was requested by the clean-up crew. Since the exhaust runs straight up and out the top, the soot during startup adds to the work required before each show. So, during warm-up, the exhaust is routed to the ground to keep the top clean. These guys think of everything.

• The show plans for 2007 are listed below. Each show has a lead volunteer who is responsible for making all the arrangements including transportation, volunteer staffing and the overall show day schedule.
  • June 1&2 – NATMUS, Auburn Indiana
  • June 9 –Vicksburg Old Car Festival, Vicksburg, Michigan
  • June 10 – Concours d’Elegance, Ault Park in Cincinnati Ohio (www.ohioconcours.com)
  • June 15-16 – Mild to Wild show, Holland Michigan
  • July 6&7 – AACA Grand National at Gilmore Museum, Richland, MI
  • July 13 – Zeeland Car Show Parade, Zeeland, Michigan
  • July 14 – Zeeland Car Show
  • Aug. 3&4 – Red Barns, Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners MI
  • Aug. 24&25 – AACA Fall National Meet, Moline, Illinois
  • Sept 7, 8 &9 – Salisbury House, Des Moines, Iowa
• For 2008, a few requests are being considered and two dates are tentative. Stay tuned and check the web site for the latest plans.

• The web site gets a lot of traffic. In January, hits went over 231,000 in one day. The video clip added in January ranked as #4 on the hit list with over 7,500 downloads for January.
• For December thru March for example, we averaged 773 visits per day and 2700 pages are viewed each day.

• Items available thru NATMUS serve as both fund-raisers for the Futurliner Restoration Project and interesting memorabilia for all of you. The 40 minute video includes 5 minutes of original movie footage from the early 50s with many shots of Futurliners in action. The remainder covers this restoration project – the people, the suppliers, the technical challenges and the results of the 7 year project. The video is titled “Miracle at Beaverdam”, is available on either VHS or DVD and can be requested from NATMUS for $25 (including S&H).
• A new scale model is now available for $40 plus $10 S/H. It is 1/64 scale or about 6” long. It is an excellent replica as you can see and comes in a clear plastic display case. (There are other companies selling the same model on the Internet for $60 or more so if you are interested, contact NATMUS.)
• Posters, polo and “T” shirts and hats are available thru NATMUS. Prices and photos are on the web site - (http://www.futurliner.com/poster.htm
• The Futurliner model built by Retro 123 is a large-scale model (33” long) with excellent detail including operating doors and top light bar. Retro 1-2-3 has obtained a licensing agreement with GM for its production and a portion of the proceeds are returned to NATMUS to support this project. Cost is $1,845 + shipping and handling. Photos are on our website. To purchase one, contact Retro at 815-338-7693 (in IL) or check out their web site at www.retro1-2-3.com. They are nearly SOLD OUT so hurry if you are interested.
• Donations are still required for ongoing repairs and maintenance of the Futurliner. 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. Donations can be sent to NATMUS, 1000 Gordon M. Buehrig Place, Auburn, IN 46706.

• The restoration took place at a small crossroads called Beaver Dam. The nearest town is Zeeland, Michigan. The downtown area, two blocks long, still resembles a 1950's typical small town. We had been invited to participate in their annual car show which is on Saturday, July 14, 2007. In the planning discussion the idea of re-creating an actual Parade of Progress parade came up in the discussion. It was then decided to stage this mini Parade of Progress parade on the evening prior to the Saturday car show (Friday July 13). The parade will include 1950's GM cars representing each of the car divisions leading the Futurliner. We are also looking for a vintage police car as well as a police motorcycle. This will be a fun event since the plan includes a sock hop. The local restaurants plan to have their employees dressed in 1950's clothes as well as 1950's menu but not the prices.
• Our plan is to video this event, and combined with some other videos we took at other shows to make this video available. Those looking to host the Futurliner in the future may want to include such an event.

We get numerous requests to bring the Futurliner to shows around the country. This is no small effort of course with something this size that requires a sizable staff to accompany it. Because of this complexity, the crew and NATMUS have established the following guidelines. Briefly, the sponsoring show will need to provide:

1. Financial donation to NATMUS - $5000
2. A tractor trailer truck to pull the vehicle to and from the event. We have the trailer, just need the truck to pull it.
3. Secure storage and wash facilities at your site.
4. Expenses for volunteers. It requires a crew of at least 4-6 of our volunteers with expenses for hotels, meals and travel.
5. Power at the show of 110VAC with 30 amp capability.
6. Ability for the Futurliner crew to sell memorabilia as noted below to help cover the on-going expenses of the project.

More detail is available if you are interested. Once these requirements are agreed upon, the crew will see how it all fits together with other requests, logistics of moving from one site to another and availability of the crew to cover the show.