GM Futurliner For Sale In Massachusetts: Photos
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For diehard General Motors fans, the GM Futurliner is a truly impressive sight. Just a dozen examples were built, each serving as a vehicular display for The General’s various technology efforts. Now, this particular GM Futurliner is up for sale in Massachusetts.
First, it’s worth briefly going over the history of the GM Futurliner. Designed by the legendary Harley Earl and built between 1936 and 1941 (and again later between 1953 and 1956), these massive retro vehicles were part of General Motors’ Parade of Progress, providing a rolling exhibition of GM’s technology and engineering prowess. These vehicles would visit towns across the U.S., providing interested onlookers with lectures and demonstrations on things like radar, television, and jet propulsion.
Just 12 examples were produced, with the original Futurliners headlining the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The vehicles are quite large as well, measuring in at 33 feet in length, eight feet in width, and more than 11 feet in height. The exterior shows off art deco styling, with chrome and red body panels. The sides of the vehicles would open up to display whatever technology exhibit was featured at the time. The original models were powered by a four-cylinder diesel and manual transmission, whereas later models equipped a straight-six engine and automatic transmission.
Now, one seller in Springfield, Massachusetts has a GM Futurliner listed for sale. The listing states that the vehicle was restored in the late ’90s and is in excellent condition, easily traveling down the highway at more than 50 mph. The side display door opens and closes, while the front light bar works as well. The vehicle was also fitted with a new Detroit Diesel engine, but the original engine and transmission are included with the sale.
This particular example is believed to be number 7 of 12. Given the vehicle’s unique history, one would expect a rather steep asking price – and they’d be correct, with the seller listing the vehicle at $998,900. Of course, it’s not every day you see a GM Futurliner for sale.
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Unlikely that it’s number 7, as number 7 was sold to ChromeCars in Germany, who also has number 9, according to Wikipedia.
Yup.. you’re correct! Another article said that this one is the one owned by PeterPan Buslines.. which makes it number 6
That is a super cool vehicle, I would love to own it, but it’s not in my budget, lol.
I hope GM still owns one.
Put it on Bring a Trailer. That’s where the real money is.
I was able to sit in one at Dave Kindig’s Salt Lake shop off State Street in Utah a few years ago. Dave said the owner was asking $5M, Believe Ron Pratt was the owner at the time? Either way, this one looks like a bargain! It was a beast! would love to own one.
Yes it sure does look like a bargain! I had read Futurliner No. 11 sold for $4 million at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona. Kindig said he’s hoping to see Futurliner No. 3 (the one Kindig had restored) in a reasonable area because “it certainly is worth that much.” They are definitely a beast!!
A group of gentlemen restored one here in West Michigan. I do not know were it is. I havent seen it in car shows for a long time
Value in these depends on how they are restored and what they contain.
If they have the original type display they are worth more money. If they are empty or been converted to a motor home then not a much. Also the quality can vary.
I was in the one from Indiana and it was done to a high degree to original condition. It would be prime for higher value. but note these things are not easily moved. They are very under powered and due to the value you really should haul it on a semi to get it place to place. I wish more museums would acquire these and save them for the future.
The GM collection or Henry Ford could use one.
This was one of two that Peter Pan bus had stored on their property for years. The other was in extremely poor condition, but being what it is, is probably worth restoring.
This one was refurbished by the bus lines own body shop, so it used quite a bit of wrong parts and pieces just to get it up, running and displayable. In other words, it’s far from what it was originally.