GM Futurliner is a group of special vehicles, laid out in the 1940s by Harley Earl for General Motors, and is an integral part of the Parade of Progress company - a North American exhibition promoting cars and technology of the future. Having previously used eight special Streamliner from 1936 to 1940, GM sponsored the Future Progress and Futurliner from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1953 to 1956.
With a length of 33 feet, a width of 8 feet, over 11 feet, and weighing more than 12 tons, each Futurliner features stylized art deco, sleek bodywork, dark red sides and white roof paint, a large articulated chrome side panel, a military - grade 302 cubic inch GMC straight-six petrol engines and automatic transmissions, whitewall tires and prominent driver command positions, located in the middle, with panoramic panoramic.
Of the twelve original Futurliner, one destroyed in the 1956 crash, and nine survived in 2007.
By 2014, Futurliner # 10 is nominated for inclusion in the National Historical Vehicle List.
Video GM Futurliner
Parade Progress
Originally produced for the 1939 New York World's Fair, Futurliners were later featured on GM's "Parade of Progress", a promotional caravan that took the 150-stop route across the United States and Canada. The Futurliner, along with 32 supporting vehicles, is encouraged by 50 college graduates, who also manage the exhibits along the route.
Usually arranged at each stop around a large tent and information kiosk, each Futurliner features a standalone stage as well as a light tower that can be channeled, and each vehicle displays a particular subject. Mobile exhibitions cover topics such as jet engine technology, agriculture, traffic engineering, stereophonic sound, microwave ovens, televisions, and other innovations. In 1955 a miniature car assembly line assembly called A Car Is Born was built for one of the Futurliners. A screen titled Our American Crossroads was also used in 1955. This screen was narrated by Parker Fennelly and featured an elaborate animated diorama that changed to show progress in road and infrastructure repairs from 1902 to 1953.
Disturbed by World War II, the vehicles were renewed by GM and the Progress Parade resumed in 1953. The rebirth parade was stopped in 1956 for the last time, replaced by the increasing popularity of network television - one of Futurliner's own technologies. never promoted.
Maps GM Futurliner
After Parade
After the Progress Parade, General Motors sold the Futurliners and donated two to the Michigan State Police. Refurbished as "Safetyliner", the latter used to promote road safety.
At least one Futurliner was bought by Oral Roberts and used as a portable stage during the evangelical crusade of the 1960s. This vehicle may have been transported to Central or South America.
Today
Of the remaining nine Futurliners, one was destroyed (counted as total) during the 1956 parade and not replaced. Futurliner Bus # 11 was sold for a record $ 4,000,000 (plus premium) for Arizona-based real estate developer Ron Pratte on January 21, 2006 at an Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona and driven to his new home in Chandler. Mr. Pratte sold the same bus on January 17, 2015 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona. The sale price is again US $ 4,000,000 (plus premium), the result of a profitable sale of the Armed Forces Foundation, a charity that helps members of the military and their families. Bus # 10 is restored and is at the NATMUS museum in Auburn, IN. Bus # 9 is restored and used as a motor. In 2008, Futurliner # 8 was delivered to his new home in Sweden. The new owner plans to return it for 10 years; it was the first Futurliner to be relocated to Europe.
By the end of 2013, Peter Pan Bus Lines in Massachusetts has Futurliner # 7 which is painted in original color and has Futurliner # 6 in storage.
Futurliner # 5 was rebuilt and restored from the remaining part as Flatbed Hauler.
Futurliner # 3 restoration is the subject of two episodes of the Velocity Channel Bitchin 'Rides event. Number 3 has a 19-month recovery in 2013-2014, intended to be the most complete and true-time restoration of all that has been tried so far. Bitchin 'Rides (also known as Kindig Customs in the region featuring DMAX Discovery Channel) is a reality show about activities at Kindig-It Design in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Futurliner # 4 is currently being refurbished or there are plans for restoration in Maine. There are still two undisclosed Futurliners.
Futurliner List
The following table lists the original view and current unit status. All three vehicles listed as unknown under Fate do not mean that they are not there anymore but rather because the identity of some Futureliners is not yet matched to the original appearance. Changes in some screens also make it difficult to trace the lineage line of several buses.
See also
- List of buses
References
External links
- GM Futurliner Restoration Project
- General Motors Futurliner: A History
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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