Barrett Jackson Record Auction!!!

GlenCoombe · 01-01-2007, 05:41 PM

Just finished watching a record auction on the B-J Speed Channel auction.... One of the often pictured 1950 GM Parade of Progress bus sold for $4,100,000.00

And this was for a re-engined restoration! All the originals where diesel powered.
I think this is good for us Airstream motorhome owners. Now the POP bus was only one of 12 but Airstream only made so many of each model right?
Values have hit rock bottom for nice units. If you only have one.... you might want to stock up before values start climbing.

What say you .....???

Silvertwinkie · 01-01-2007, 05:43 PM

I think those buses were way cool, especially back in the day. That's a lot of cake for a bus, but if you have it, why not...can't take the $$ with you.

str8strm · 01-01-2007, 06:07 PM

One of those GM buses used to be here locally. Debbie and I got to walk through it at a "cruise" once. The guy had done it like a diner inside. It was very cool, but I thought he was crazy when I heard he had $250K invested in it. I guess I was wrong............again.

overlander63 · 01-01-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenCoombe

And this was for a re-engined restoration! All the originals where diesel powered.

Glen, the originals had 5.0 liter (302 cid) six cylinder, gasoline engines. Horsepower was 145, and top speed was about 35 mph.
Here is a photo of them being assembled. Plug wires are plainly visible on right side of the near engine:

Goin camping · 01-01-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8strm

One of those GM buses used to be here locally. Debbie and I got to walk through it at a "cruise" once. The guy had done it like a diner inside. It was very cool, but I thought he was crazy when I heard he had $250K invested in it. I guess I was wrong............again.

Do you mean the one that used to be parked on Burbank Blvd and other streets around the Valley?

str8strm · 01-01-2007, 06:40 PM

Milo:
I think that must be the same one. I can't imagine there were any others near by. I haven't seen it in quite awhile. I'm guessing he sold it. Ron

scottanlily · 01-01-2007, 06:59 PM

Over 63 is correct on the engines (GMC six cylinders) .The streamliners started in 1936 ,they were the first to go on tour .In 1939 GM built these
wonderful futurliners ,about 12 I think it was.Anyone interested in these cool buses should buy the book,GMC the first 100 years a great colorful coffee
table style book (really cool).It has an in depth look at these futurliners and many great photographs.you also can Google futurliner online and follow the total restoration of that Barrett jackson Futurliner .It took thousands of
dollars and man hours to restore that unit ,the restoration and photos show
the dedication these guys and gals put into this job .Very Well done.

Scott

**wahoonc** · 01-01-2007, 08:13 PM

I may be off a bit, but I think there were some built with a diesel engine at some point, perhaps the prototype? IIRC there were also 2 different Parade of Progress and the units were basically rebuilt between them, with various upgrades and changes. Edit: the first Parade of Progress was from 1940-46 and those units had diesel power, the second Parade of Progress was from 1953-56 and those units were the 6 cyl gas powered ones.

Here is one sight that deals with the massive restoration of one, with many links to the fate of the others. And here is another site that covers the history.

Aaron

Phil and/or Sue · 01-01-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottanlily

...In 1939 GM built these wonderful futurliners ,about 12 I think it was.Anyone interested in these cool buses should buy the book,GMC the first 100 years a great colorful coffee table style book (really cool).
...
Scott

I never heard of them, so it was an eye opened for me. Cool machines, even now. Thanks for sharing.

overlander63 · 01-01-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil and/or Sue

I never heard of them, so it was an eye opened for me. Cool machines, even now. Thanks for sharing.

There was another discussion here on the forums about them, a search should turn it up. It was maybe a year or two ago. BTW, traveling in one in the cab of the machine was an extremely disquieting experience if you weren't used to it. Your head was only a foot or so from the underside of bridges.

**john hd** · 01-01-2007, 09:42 PM

the thing that blows me away about the futureliners is the dual front wheels!

john

65GT · 01-01-2007, 10:08 PM

Oh the distractions - the tangents - the hijackings - the things that will just drive me nuts!

Here are some pics of the only motor home I'd ever be interested in.

Toy rocketship, toy bulldozers, us battleships model, toy dump trucks, model greyhound bus

Who's going to build it -- I don't care if it flies -- I just want to camp in it -- come on -- somebody build it... I can remember being <12 and sneaking to turn on the B&W TV in my room just to watch this show late at night. I didn't care about the strings -- I didn't care about the sparklers for engines. Man I want to own one of these... That show was cool...

In case you're not following along it's the same company that builds the $1800 45lb model of the Futureliner. That auction was last year by the way and it was unbelievable. If I remember correctly they were hoping to get ~$350K for that bus. Wow!

__

Phil and/or Sue · 01-02-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GT

...
Here are some pics of the only motor home I'd ever be interested in.
Toy rocketship, toy bulldozers, us battleships model, toy dump trucks, model greyhound bus

Who's going to build it -- I don't care if it flies -- I just want to camp in it ...Man I want to own one of these... ...
...
__

Buster Crabbe flew it apparently. I saw a preview for the show, but never saw the movie. I wonder if an Airstream motorhome could be bastardized enought to make one...Nah, it looks really narrow with wheels sticking out. More like a vintage hot rod. That would be cool, but too short. Maybe a cab and chassis starting point... Hmmm if I had a million dollars...

Oh, well, guess I need to wake up and get going in the real world.

01-02-2007, 06:52 AM

There are a couple of companies that built high end large scale museum quality models. I whish some one would build a 1/48 or larger scale Airstream model. here's an example of the quality that Fine Arts Models turns out.Vist their website if you like models you'll be impressed by the detail and work that goes into them.