GM Futurliner 2008 Progress Reports GM Futurliner Restoration Project National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States

GM Futurliner 2009 Progress Reports
GM Futurliner Restoration Project
National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States

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The following are Don Mayton's updates on Futurliner activities. To read in chronological order, start from the bottom and read up the page.

2009 Work/Show Reports
For previous "progress reports," click on the year below.
1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 Jan-Aug | 2003 Sep-Dec |
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

May 5

FUTURLINER WORK SESSION & THE 2009 SHOW SCHEDULE
    We had a great turn out of volunteers with 18 working at various tasks on the Futurliner and two volunteers that have been working off site* on both the special Futurliner newsletter currently be published and or e-mailed.
    Futurliner volunteers: Jim Baker, Mike Ball, Al Batts, Stan Bowers, Del Carpenter, Jim Crame*, Conrad DeJong, Dean Tryon*, Ryan DeVries, Ed DeVries, Don Feutz, Don Mayton, Paul Prinzing, Dick Saddler, Al Scholten, Jerry Sigler, Chuck Snow, Wally Snow, Howard Sullivan, and John Wissink.
    Our first big job was getting the top repainted. For some reason the white developed shadows over the years since the restoration. We realized to keep the Futurliner in tip-top show condition the top had to be repainted. We found a local company that specializes in painting motor homes gave us a good estimate and did an outstanding job and kept within the estimate.
    We had numerous tasks that had to be accomplished.
    Ryan, Ed, Chuck, and Al S. worked on fixing a jammed side door locking gear box. They had to pull off a section of the interior 16' side door. Yes it is now working again.
    Connie, Paul, and others worked on preparing the painting the rear bumper that had some surface damage. That took the longest as repairs had to first be made and then the painting.
    Wally, Howard, Jerry, and Don F. did a lot of cleaning up, touching up, and overall cleaning.
    Dick Saddler worked on doing some interior repairs.
    Mike, as usual had to catch up on bills and do administrative work.
    Al Batts, our faithful photographer, did his share with the camera but at a show pace as he has twisted his back but is now on the mend.
    Del and Stan tackled the dusty engine, aired up all the tires, did cleaning and checked the batteries, and other general maintenance. It turned out to be an excellent work session as the old saying; "Many hands make light work!"
    The Futurliner is now standing "tall" for the 2009 Futurliner Show season.

FUTURLINER 2009 SHOW SEASON -- We will be releasing a "Special Futurliner Newsletter" high lighting the great Futurliner 2009 show season (also available on this website). Although we do have repeat shows based on demand, we will be going to new locations and new shows. The "special" will be at the printer shortly and perhaps some of you may have already received it by e-mail. Thanks to Dean Tryon and Jim Crame.

EAST COAST -- The Futurliner will be spending the 2009 - 2010 winter in Hershey, PA. as a guest of the AACA National Museum. Our goal for the 2010 Futurliner show season is to pick up some East Coast shows. Already we are working on an invite in New England. Since one of the most costly items to host the Futurliner is the tractor to haul the Futurliner on its own trailer, being already close to the east coast this cost is greatly reduced. Any show director would be encouraged to contact us for possible show dates.

MICHIGAN TROOPER -- March - April 2009 Issue contains a great article written by Trooper Rials. The article tells a great story of the two Futurliners donated by General Motors in 1959 to the Michigan State Police. Subsequently, the one Futurliner was converted to the "MICHIGAN STATE POLICE SAFETY LINER". It is interesting reading and we will add it to our web site in the future. Stay tuned.

MOXIE -- John Wissink came riding on his horse into the work session. Now this is not the typical "Kentucky Derby" horse. This horse was born in 1923. It seems that the word MOXIE is somehow connected to a horse, but in the 1920's was a cold drink that out sold Cola Cola. For the purpose of advertising the company that distributed MOXIE decided to take a 1923 Buick and mount a horse (not the real thing) on the chassis and, with a bit of clever engineering, drove/rode the horse in parades, state fairs and wherever. Our own John Wissink decided about three years ago to take a 1923 Buick that had been converted into a truck and make it into a replica of the original MOXIE. So here comes "Tex John" riding MOXIE. What a hoot!!!!!!! (Click here to view pictures.)

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