The
vehicle portion of the restoration project is virtually done. The group
will reconvene for a few weeks this fall to finish up some details and it
can officially be considered DONE! It’s been 7 years of weekly work
sessions for this talented group of volunteers and we all owe them a big
thank you.
- Items to be completed include installation of flooring material, trim and air conditioning in the cab and other small details.
- Several shows were on this summer’s schedule with the main one being the AHTS (American Historical Truck Society) in Auburn Indiana in June. The Futurliner was also displayed several times in August including Gilmore’s Museum in Hickory Corners, MI and at Coopersville, MI.
- Now that it is done, it is stored on our specially designed trailer in the storage building donated by volunteer Ed Devries. And since NATMUS does not have the inside facility ready for it, it will remain in storage in Michigan for the near term.
- The other on-going activity at Del Carpenters house nearby is the construction of a display trailer that will include the engine, transmission and radiator with a shorten driveshaft to the rear transmission. The large 110 VAC generator and it’s control cabinet will also be a part of the trailer since they are not readily visible if they were installed in the Futurliner itself. All of this is intended to be operational. The trailer is set up to be pulled behind any standard truck and rolls on an actual Futurliner front axle and wheels.
- Now for some photos:
Early disassembly.
One year later - off to the sandblaster.
Display as set up at Gilmore’s Show.
Instrument panel restored in original colors.
- As you’ve read before, a great video has been developed by Don Bratt covering original movie footage from the early 50’s with many photos and movies of Futurliners in action and documenting the restoration project. It is titled "Miracle at Beaverdam", is 42 minutes long, is available on either VHS or DVD and is available from NATMUS for $25 (including S&H). Proceeds help cover the cost of the project. (Beaverdam is the small Michigan town close to Don Mayton’s house in Zeeland, Michigan and the restoration site.)
- Posters and hats are available thru NATMUS for $10 each plus $3 shipping. Quantity orders will have a break on shipping and will be approximately 20% above the single item shipping charge. Contact Bobbie Smith at NATMUS for specifics for your quantity. Mailing address for orders is NATMUS, 1000 Gordon Buehrig Place, Auburn, IN 46706. You can also see the poster (along with its history) and the hat on the web site (http://www.futurliner.com/poster.htm).
- "T" shirts have been printed and are available for $20 with a color photo of the Futurliner and the words "Miracle at Beaverdam". New green polo shirts are just available also for $20.
- NATMUS has a museum store on eBay for all of the products above. Check it out at the NATMUS E-Bay Store.
- Also, the Futurliner model being built by John Betts from Retro 123 is for sale. This is a large-scale model (33" long) with excellent detail including all doors and the top light bar that operate. They have obtained a licensing agreement with GM for its production and a portion of the proceeds will go to NATMUS to support this project. Cost is $1845 + shipping and handling. Photos are on our web site. To purchase one, contact Retro at 815-338-7693 (in IL) or check out their web site at www.retro1-2-3.com.
- Donations are still required to close out this part of the project since the special low-boy trailer that was purchased has an outstanding loan to pay off. In addition, we are planning to create a new display for the inside of the vehicle since the American Crossroads apparently will not be made available from GM. You can be proud to be a part of this very special and unique restoration project.
- One item that the project needs is a large 40" or larger TV system with CD or VHS player. This will allow us to showcase the video when the vehicle is at shows or even at groups that tour the vehicle at Don’s or wherever. If you have one you might donate, we would appreciate it.
- Thanks for your continued help. If you have not made a tax-deductible donation to the project for this year, there is still time and there still is a need to wrap-up the project.