GM Futurliner bus auctions for millions
By Zach Doell
January 20, 2015 2:30 PM
Click for gallery: 1950 General Motors Futurliner Tour Bus
The radical 1950 GM Futurliner is a whole-lot-of bus. It’s
quite fitting that it also commands an equally ginormous price tag. This
pristine example drew a substantial amount of fanfare when it went up
for auction at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event on Saturday, and even more when the gavel fell for $4 million.
The story behind the futuristic hauler is no less exciting. In 1936, General Motors created the Parade of Progress – a campaign to exhibit GM’s vision of the future to the American public in the form of a traveling exhibition. By 1939 at the New York World’s Fair, GM raised its own bar with the introduction of the Futurliner bus, which would become the new packhorse of the traveling show. Imagine seeing one of these cruise through your rural town in the 1940s.
RELATED: Check out more photos of the incredible GM Futurliner
On its flank, a 16-foot side panel opens up to reveal a retractable
stage, complete with lights and its own PA system. A scant 12
Futurliners were built under the direction of GM design boss Harley
Earl, of which only nine remain and three are said to run. This stellar
example is one of that coveted trio.
The Futurliners originally drew power from a four-cylinder diesel engine; however this bus was restored and given a livelier beating heart in the form of a 400ci GM truck engine. This example came up for auction in 2006 and in quite the memorable fashion. The owner had been hoping to get more than $600,000 for the brute. It hammered for a formidable $4.1 million.
RELATED: Take a look at this gorgeous 1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept
New owner Ron Pratte then set about having the Futurliner re-restored, now gaveling for the aforementioned $4 million bid. More spectacular than the bus itself, Ron donated all the proceeds to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. A great vehicle and a great cause.
The story behind the futuristic hauler is no less exciting. In 1936, General Motors created the Parade of Progress – a campaign to exhibit GM’s vision of the future to the American public in the form of a traveling exhibition. By 1939 at the New York World’s Fair, GM raised its own bar with the introduction of the Futurliner bus, which would become the new packhorse of the traveling show. Imagine seeing one of these cruise through your rural town in the 1940s.
RELATED: Check out more photos of the incredible GM Futurliner
The Futurliners originally drew power from a four-cylinder diesel engine; however this bus was restored and given a livelier beating heart in the form of a 400ci GM truck engine. This example came up for auction in 2006 and in quite the memorable fashion. The owner had been hoping to get more than $600,000 for the brute. It hammered for a formidable $4.1 million.
RELATED: Take a look at this gorgeous 1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept
New owner Ron Pratte then set about having the Futurliner re-restored, now gaveling for the aforementioned $4 million bid. More spectacular than the bus itself, Ron donated all the proceeds to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. A great vehicle and a great cause.
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