A link to a group restoring a 1953 GM Futurliner. It's looks like a GM Intercity bus on steroids, converted for use as a traveling exhibit stage for the GM Parade of Progress. One of these interesting vehicles had a exhibit about GM locomotives.

9 of the original 12 survive. After GM, the vehicles saw a variety of careers including being turned into a mobile home, a traveling revival stage, and for use by the Michigan State police.

http://www.futurliner.com/

It's always interesting to be exposed to other kinds of preservation, especially in the transportation field. I note that, like much of the equipment we have saved that can no longer travel on the national rail system, this futuristic vehicle is likewise unable to operate on major roadways today.

Why couldn't it operate on 2 lane hiways? By 1953 we had 4 lane expressways in this country. Sorry for off topic but just curious......................................................................Wooly

From what I've read the vehicle is horribly underpowered, can only do about 45, which is okay, except on the interstate, and even some two lane highways. Also, the brakes aren't that good, one of the original vehicles rear ended the other one during the Parade of Progress tour once.

If I read correctly, it only has a 302 GMC gas engine, the common truck engine of the time, fairly powerful, but not very speedy. The wheat trucks of that era I used to drive could barely make 50 mph empty. Also, it may need a bit more mechanical work to be safely driven on interstates.

Wow, That blew me away. I would have imagined it would have had some kind of diesel being as GM bought the rights to the Detroit Diesel long before that........................................................................Wooly

Yeesh. You would think the thing would have the mechanicals of a contemporary Parlor bus (PD 4103 or PD 4104) with a 671 diesel.

"Futurliner" indeed. With obsolescent machinery.