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GlenCoombe · 01-01-2007, 04:41 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, 04:43 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, 05:07 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, 05:09 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, 05:30 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, 05:40 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, 05:59 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, 07:13 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, 07:14 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, 08:20 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, 08:42 PM

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

john

Phil and/or Sue · 01-02-2007, 05:35 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, 05:52 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.

overlander63 · 01-02-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craftsman

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.

Here is a 1:18 scale Airstream, much larger than 1:48:

uwe · 01-02-2007, 11:27 AM

There were a pair of them parked in a storage lot just outside of the El Toro Marine Base, while I stored my TradeWind there a few years ago. They were in very poor condition, with missing glass and much rust.

flyfshr · 01-02-2007, 11:29 AM

Now that would be the ultimate tow vehicle. That would certainly look awesome as a twosome. You can even carry your car inside the FutureLiner. I wonder what the tow capacity is?

Brad
FF

overlander63 · 01-02-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

You can even carry your car inside the FutureLiner. I wonder what the tow capacity is?

Brad
FF

From what I've heard, about 5 pounds...

ALANSD · 01-02-2007, 04:16 PM

One would think as rare as the Classic AS Motorhomes are, that their values would be continually going up. Reality is thst does not seem to be the case.
As a big fan and one who watches the market on them, I can't understand it. Would gas prices alone do that?
Seems there are bargains out there for someone wanting the neatest looking, & maybe in reality the rarest of the "practical" and usable motorhomes on the market.

Silvertwinkie · 01-02-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

One would think as rare as the Classic AS Motorhomes are, that their values would be continually going up. Reality is thst does not seem to be the case.
As a big fan and one who watches the market on them, I can't understand it. Would gas prices alone do that?
Seems there are bargains out there for someone wanting the neatest looking, & maybe in reality the rarest of the "practical" and usable motorhomes on the market.

Give it time Alan. I think a unit that has not been totally used up and that is in fair shape will command a higher price at some point, if for nothing else, collector value. Look at it this way, the cars that are getting the big prices now are 40 years old. Vintage trailers that are 40 or 50 years old, that are redone or perfect are selling for higher amounts now, and even in need of repair are selling at pretty darn good levels. I think the Classic Motorhomes will be in the same boat, but it may take a few more years for them to get on the endangered lists where folks will start paying higher prices for them. I've seen the ones on eBay and folks out of the gate are asking 19k for a unit in need of work and few are bidding high on them. Of course, eBay is not the best place to do a litmus test from.

GlenCoombe · 01-03-2007, 05:11 AM

According to the talking head on the B-J Auction show the Future Liner was originally a diesel. What I find more interesting is that the owner was only looking for $600,000.00 and ended up with 4.1 million!! Now that's a big difference for sure.
The bidder who got out at 4 mil. was the same guy who bought the record sale SS Chevelle drag racer earlier in the day for 1.2 million. Now that's what I call a serious collector with some serious cash!