Not only is the roof badly rusted but the structural design was not sufficient to support the weight or stress of opening the large display doors. Some of the "Paraders" recall needing up to 10 men to close the doors because the roof sagged and threw things out of alignment.

GM-Design person Paul Jankowiak will redesign  the roof structure for the Futurliner. Due to rust, the old roof is so deteriorated that a new one must to be constructed. In addition, conversations with "Paraders" on the Parade of Progress in the 1950's revealed that the roof was weak and when all the doors were raised and the lighting fin was raised the roof sagged. The sag was so great that often the doors could only be latched with the help of many "Paraders" pushing on the sides. The people that restored the Canadian Futurliner (FIDO) have already experienced problems with their roof sagging and latching the large 16' doors. The redesign will allow us to correct this condition.

With a new design-drawing of the roof, we will be able to ask a fabricator to build us a new one. Hopefully, we can find a business to sponsor this effort or a fabricator to do it at cost.

As you can see from this picture of the underside of the roof, it is in poor condition. After the engineer creates the drawings, the roof will be rebuilt off-site and then welded into place.

This picture shows the rear of the Futurliner. You can just see some of the roof structure.

If you would like more information on how you can volunteer your services or donate materials, please contact Don Mayton.

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

NATMUS is an IRS section 501(c)3 qualified organization. All gifts to this project (Properly Receipted) are tax deductible. Please contact John Martin Smith for more information.

John Martin Smith, NATMUS Director Emeritus 
1000 Gordon M. Buehrig Place
P.O. Box 686, Auburn, IN 46706-0686
260 925-4560