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

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    In the blue 1953 Skylark, leading the Futurliner and parade of antique cars, is Don and Carol Mayton. Don is the Restoration Director for the Futurliner project. It looks like they also have a passenger in the back seat with them taking  pictures of the crossing.
    While the first trip north across the bridge for the Futurliner was uneventful, the trip back across saw the Futurliner quit about halfway up the long ramp to the top of the arch. We discovered later that the voltage regulator was faulty and had completely drained the battery. A quick check around the area for a tow truck revealed there that there wasn't one large enough that could tow the Futurliner. The Futurliner might be stuck on the bridge for hours but northbound cars were stopping and people were getting out to take pictures. The Bridge Authority hooked up a Dodge Pickup with a Hemi and towed it across.
    Fifty years ago (1957) the Mackinac Bridge, spanning the Straits of Mackinac, was completed. At the time of its opening it was the longest suspension bridge in the USA. It still has the world's longest total suspension span between cable anchorages. The bridge spans over 5 miles of water. This year, in celebration of this bridge's 50th anniversary several events took place, one involving the crossing of antique cars, led by the Futurliner.


    Don and Carol Mayton pose for a picture in their Buick Skylark with the Mackinac Bride as a backdrop.


    In Saint Ignace (on the north shore of the bridge) the Futurliner took part in the Antiques on the Bay car show. The annual car show of antique vehicles is held in a very picturesque setting. Large numbers of people came to see the Futurliner which was featured in the local newspapers.

    The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is rich in not only picturesque beauty but in history as well. At one point in history this area was the hub of travel and commerce as furs and goods were moved via the Great Lakes waterways.
    The Futurliner crew took advantage of this opportunity to visit a vintage boat restoration shop in the lakeshore town of Hessel.

    The Futurliner crew took advantage of this opportunity to be in the Upper Peninsula and visited a vintage boat restoration shop in the lakeshore town of Hessel.

    The crew also UP hospitality as they took in some great meals together.

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