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Parade of Progress... literally!

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 08:39 AM
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Parade of Progress... literally!

Stumbled across this very cool photo on the web. I only count eight of the 12 Futurliners in the photo, but there are six other large vehicles at the end of the line that I can't make out. Enjoy.

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 08:49 AM
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Wow neat photo, One of the showes on TV rebuilt one of those! Nice pontiac sign on the left, Boy would I love to have that.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 08:58 AM
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I got to tour one of the restored ones (number 10) at Carlisle a few years ago. And to keep this Olds-related, here's a Futurliner with the F88 showcar.

That's quite a hat.

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 08:58 AM
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By my count I get 7 in the foreground, but I think you can barely make out some more way in the backround.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 09:00 AM
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Outstanding Joe. This has to be in rural America somewhere. The car behind the 5th Futureliner looks like an Oldsmobile. This would be a sight to behold if you were some kid living out in the country or city for that matter.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
By my count I get 7 in the foreground, but I think you can barely make out some more way in the backround.
I KNEW someone would do this.

Number eight is some distance behind at the bottom of the hill. The six vehicles behind that are tractor trailers painted to match, with the stainless side panels also, as seen here. There was a very large tent that got set up as part of the exhibition, apparently stored in the trucks along with seating and other equipment.

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
Outstanding Joe. This has to be in rural America somewhere. The car behind the 5th Futureliner looks like an Oldsmobile. This would be a sight to behold if you were some kid living out in the country or city for that matter.
Yeah, 1954 Olds if I'm not mistaken. Keep in mind that this was before most of the Interstates were built. The GMC 302 inline six and Hydramatic in those Futurliners probably made for a leisurely trip in any case. Top speed was apparently 50 MPH.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 10:01 AM
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I watched some of Bitch'in Rides that restored one of these. Here's the reveal

GM Futureliner
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
That must've been a heck of a show.

- Eric
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by gbledsoe3
I watched some of Bitch'in Rides that restored one of these. Here's the reveal

GM Futureliner
Holy F'n A. That is amazing.

- Eric
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:21 AM
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Bah hum bug!
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:22 AM
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The only picture worthy is the f88.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:31 AM
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A couple of years ago, I passed one of those trucks on I-91 in Conn. Almost wet my pants
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by bw1339
A couple of years ago, I passed one of those trucks on I-91 in Conn. Almost wet my pants
In that case, one more gratuitous photo I found.

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
Yeah, 1954 Olds if I'm not mistaken.
A little hard to tell. It is either a 53 or 52. Definitely not a 1954.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by D. Yaros
A little hard to tell. It is either a 53 or 52. Definitely not a 1954.
You're right. It's a 53.

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Old December 23rd, 2016, 12:59 PM
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Very cool! I never knew about these Futurliners before.
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 04:31 PM
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That's a hat? I thought it was a hub cap!
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 06:50 PM
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The restored Futureliner was at Steve Plunkets car show about five years ago. Has front drive, and padded inner fenders for the mechanic to lie on whilst he does maintenance on the engine. One hell of a machine!!
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Old December 23rd, 2016, 09:45 PM
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Very cool pics,I've never seen them before,thanks for sharing!
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Old December 24th, 2016, 07:29 AM
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An update on the first photo in this thread.

A Pontiac friend was shown the photo and did some research based on that Pontiac sign:

This is a photo of the rehabbed Futurliners done in 1953 as it is presently restored. I agree that it says Melvin Hart. A quick check of the internet I found a Melvin Hart, Inc. listed in Falmouth, KY. (per Kurt: http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/ fg.cgi/http%22//%3C/fg.cgi? page=gr&GRid=141290864) Falmouth, KY is on US-27 between Cincinnati and Lexington. I believe this would have been one of the main routes south out of Michigan before I-75 was built. The first stop of the Parade of Progress with the rehabbed Futurliners was at the U of K campus in Lexington, KY on April 15, 1953!If the Futurliners are heading south, then I think the sign being on the left of the photo would indicate that this is probably south of Falmouth on the way north to town. Of course, if it is a two-sided sign it could be either north or south of Falmouth. So, the place the photo was taken we guess to be south of Falmouth and not that far from town. The photo is probably looking north. While there has been development, I have to believe that the general contours of the land have not changed that much. So, if you are out for a "Sunday drive", can you see if you can identify the spot. With the photo alone, we have enough for a little blurb for the newsletter with the pic on the back cover.
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Old December 24th, 2016, 09:05 AM
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There are several of these that have been restored. Here is one that sold at the crazy world of Barrett-Jackson for $4.4 million.

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Event...TOUR-BUS-15395
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Old December 24th, 2016, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
There are several of these that have been restored. Here is one that sold at the crazy world of Barrett-Jackson for $4.4 million.

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Event...TOUR-BUS-15395
So far, only three have been fully restored, #3 in the Bitchin' Rides video, #10, and #11. 11 was the one sold at BJ. #5 was parted out, with parts going to 8 and 10. The body of #5 was mounted on a truck chassis and turned into a flatbed car carrier. #6 and #7 are owned by Peter Pan Bus Lines. #8 is undergoing restoration in Sweden. #9 was converted to a motorhome. Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 12 have not been found.
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Old December 24th, 2016, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
I got to tour one of the restored ones (number 10) at Carlisle a few years ago. And to keep this Olds-related, here's a Futurliner with the F88 showcar.

That's quite a hat.

I wonder what the value of the items in the picture ? ( excluding the hat)
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