They are super cool vehicles. Only room for the single driver, at least for the two of them I have seen in person. It would be amazing to see all of the remaining ones brought back together someday, but I believe at least two are in Germany now and many have been ‘missing’ for a long time.
Probably in someones great uncle's back 40 rotting away under some trees. Don't ask if he'll sell it tho, he swears he'll restore it himself some day (never mind the fact that he's 75 and has 2 bad knees).
I would love to see one in person, lucky you, getting to see two. It would be amazing to see the whole remaining Parade of Progress all together again.
It’s a technology demonstration vehicle. GM built a small fleet of them in like the 50s or 60s and had them driving all over the country showing off GM technology
There was at least one that was outfitted with a turbine engine.
That’s a pretty incredible looking truck. But, all I could think of after that was bro needs a bigger garage door because that’s a really tight fit! It probably doesn’t go out of the museum often tho so I understand.
I miss the era when art was considered when building, like...anything. It was like, for a brief while, corporations didn't look to permanently grind the whimsy & creativity of their workers into dust. (NOTE: I know the corporate world was not all Kumbaya in the era when these things were made, but the design at least more fun than vehicles tend to be now.)
About 20 years ago when I was working on intake and exhaust sound quality, I got to see the one at the GM Heritage Center, which is not open to the public. It had a diorama with mechatronics to show what GM thought the future of ground transportation could be like.
Anyone here have an idea about the about the actual aerodynamics of these things? Surely better than a tractor trailer of the time, but aerodynamic modelling wasn't a thing yet, they were more just making things that looked slippery.
I went primarily for Disney Cars. My toddlers are OBSESSED with Pixar Cars... and they have a full sized replica of Lightning McQueen, Doc, and Mater in the museum for the next few weeks. I had a great time looking at all the old cars, my boys were just amazed that the cars they love watching are somehow real.
Oh, that's awesome. I didn't realize they did traveling displays like that. As I said, it's been years since I went. Happy that you and your kids had a very good experience.
They are super cool vehicles. Only room for the single driver, at least for the two of them I have seen in person. It would be amazing to see all of the remaining ones brought back together someday, but I believe at least two are in Germany now and many have been ‘missing’ for a long time.
bengriz@reddit
This would make a sick food truck
mopedgirl@reddit
They are super cool vehicles. Only room for the single driver, at least for the two of them I have seen in person. It would be amazing to see all of the remaining ones brought back together someday, but I believe at least two are in Germany now and many have been ‘missing’ for a long time.
E28forever@reddit
One is in Germany, it was near my place in Belgium a couple of weeks ago. Couldn’t believe I got to see one up close!
THKhazper@reddit
I wish this style had remained here in the states, the cab over style and lines are fantastic
viperfan7@reddit
3 Of them are weirdly enough, all owned by the same company.
And another is in Sweden
nhfirefighter13@reddit
This one is in Massachusetts, USA.
SirDarknessTheFirst@reddit
I remember playing with this in Rigs of Rods, man I completely forgot about it.
mopedgirl@reddit
At least with one of the two I’ve seen, it had these awesome atomic hubcaps.
SchreiberBike@reddit
Google gives four hits for "atomic hubcaps". Two are about this vehicle.
Iowegan@reddit
Looks like it needs a nuclear power generator to run it…
Andrei_the_derg@reddit
I’d be terrified to touch it were that the case, could have a physics freak out… I think I’ve played too much fallout
mimaikin-san@reddit
the ironing board on top doesn’t look terribly useful
kahrahtay@reddit
Looks like a big light fixture to light up the area around the vehicle when it's parked.
rich_27@reddit
Oh, I'd assumed it was intended to be for connection to overhead electric lines
lynivvinyl@reddit
But it's perfect to press my shirts.
siresword@reddit
Probably in someones great uncle's back 40 rotting away under some trees. Don't ask if he'll sell it tho, he swears he'll restore it himself some day (never mind the fact that he's 75 and has 2 bad knees).
RevoltingHuman@reddit
Why is there an ironing board on the back?
Stellarella90@reddit
I would love to see one in person, lucky you, getting to see two. It would be amazing to see the whole remaining Parade of Progress all together again.
mopedgirl@reddit
Based on the hubcaps it looks like the 2nd one I have seen is this one in the video posted #10
SputnikFace@reddit
No windows is crazy
Gormy86@reddit
Not really. Why does it need windows? People don’t sit in the back. Only in the cab area which….has windows.
HB24@reddit
Because it would be the coolest RV ever, except you would have a house on wheels that has no windows.
RustyRapeaXe@reddit
Yes, surprised there aren't any converted to a motorhome
erixccjc21@reddit
https://futurliner.org/valdez.htm
Late-Application-47@reddit
This is the conversion I want.
nostradumbass7544678@reddit
Have you seen the Heli-Home?
IRingTwyce@reddit
Hell yes! I LOVE PBYs!
Late-Application-47@reddit
Absolutely. I wonder if leaving an awning out on each side in flight increases lift? 😂
unofficial_mc@reddit
https://futurliner.org/valdez.htm
ThisGuyLikesCheese@reddit
I wonder if its still around today
Johnatron2000@reddit
They built 12 of them as mobile displays. When they rolled up to an event the truck would open up and show off the latest from GM.
GopheRph@reddit
I saw multiple of these parked outside a hotel in Mackinaw City, MI years ago. I had no idea there were so few.
Johnatron2000@reddit
By Bransonevans - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39866855
Gundam07@reddit
I was wondering what they were for
SputnikFace@reddit
Ohhhhhhhhh the no windows makes sense now.
asphaltdragon@reddit
It does have windows? I really am seeing windows there.
35_PenguiN_35@reddit
You put some mid 2000s diesel in it and it would fly
DifficultyNo9712@reddit
Dave Kindig and his shop restored one of these.
PristineLog7@reddit
Also used by the Gotham City Police Department!
LG1750@reddit
Is it a camper?
fartsfromhermouth@reddit
Is it just a weird shaped bus?
ZaphodBeeblebrahx@reddit
It’s a technology demonstration vehicle. GM built a small fleet of them in like the 50s or 60s and had them driving all over the country showing off GM technology
There was at least one that was outfitted with a turbine engine.
nhfirefighter13@reddit
There’s one in MA.
Johnatron2000@reddit
There are nine of the 12 left. Would love to know where the others are.
BBQQA@reddit
From what the guy that was giving the tour at an Auto Museum I went to that had one... there are only three restored.
Johnatron2000@reddit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Futurliner
BBQQA@reddit
I feel like there was some creative accounting in how the museum guy presented those numbers lol
ProcyonV@reddit
I saw one with my own eyes in 2008 in Beloeil airport, near Montreal, Quebec, Canada, blue paint. Impressive rig.
Stellarella90@reddit
There isn't one powred by a turbine engine, but the "Power for the Air Age" vehicle has a cutaway turbine as its central display piece.
Tomytom99@reddit
I just wanna know how people wind up with crap like this just laying around 😭
Plutoid@reddit
Just witness the confidence of that GM logo on the front. What a statement.
LatinRex@reddit
That's some Fallout shit
doodling_scribbles@reddit
Watched one go at auction for $4M. Amazing vehicle.
barndawe@reddit
That looks like it would make a fine non-lethal battle jitney
Scion0442@reddit
Nobody makes em like Herkimer anymore.
renaissance-Fartist@reddit
Junk it
RightSideOver@reddit
That little sucker just saved your life.
Bigwatts5311@reddit
Is that a Dutch train??
NordiskFryserUnion@reddit
Retro futurist artists really knew how to make things beautiful.
v12merlin@reddit
I was waiting for the roof, to scrape on that garage door. Roll the door all the way up!
DangerousDustmote@reddit
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had anxiety about the door. One more foot up wouldn't have hurt anyone
KnOOll@reddit
i love vehicles from the 30s & 40s this is so gorgeous
ChristmasLeone@reddit
Futuristic design Cars from that era look more futuristic than the crap we actually have here in the future
budpi@reddit
Looks like the back of The Rocketeers head.
RatInaMaze@reddit
I wish they would bring back this aesthetic in modern cars
Neat_Welcome6203@reddit
The Tesla Robovan kinda scratches the itch but it's also more than likely going to be vaporware along with the new Roadster.
RatInaMaze@reddit
Yeah, sadly, I’d never buy a Tesla now.
Neat_Welcome6203@reddit
Good thing Elmo is committed to a "you will own nothing and be happy" future for the brand.
solo_shot1st@reddit
I miss when cars had style
Neat_Welcome6203@reddit
Blindspot of a small town in Idaho
MediocreRooster4190@reddit
It's the Mammoth Car from Speed Racer.
Formerlurker617@reddit
Did the future not need windows?
ThaddeusJP@reddit
Was very likely the inspiration for a police transport in Batman the Animated Series
https://pics.imcdb.org/23344/skarmavbild2018-01-06kl144008.jpg
RustyRapeaXe@reddit
BtAS has such a cool aesthetic
thedudefromsweden@reddit
No look on the insides?
cjfourty@reddit
Kindig restored one of these for his show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xB2tU_aLk
ReadyFredyy@reddit
That’s Bitching
SputnikFace@reddit
No inside. completely solid
Incandisent@reddit
It's only purpose is to burn gas and look bad ass
Suvtropics@reddit
If it runs into mountain we'll have a new tunnel
BBQQA@reddit
https://natmus.org/gm-futurliner-10/
Here is one that was restored to how it looked when it was used for the tradeshow parade.
Castle_Bravo_Test@reddit
Anybody in here old enough to remember when Speed Racer took on "The Mammoth Car"?
to3cutter@reddit
BIOSHOCK tunes intensifies!
Ptosh67@reddit
I think this was the one rebuilt by kindig custom. It was on there tv show.
Historical-Shine-786@reddit
Now THAT is a real jewel!💎
Ok-Delivery216@reddit
That’s a pretty incredible looking truck. But, all I could think of after that was bro needs a bigger garage door because that’s a really tight fit! It probably doesn’t go out of the museum often tho so I understand.
bbkn7@reddit
Would be so cool if it deployed to become a 1950s Diner
flyinghairball@reddit
This would be awesome
ChipsnJax@reddit
I miss the era when art was considered when building, like...anything. It was like, for a brief while, corporations didn't look to permanently grind the whimsy & creativity of their workers into dust. (NOTE: I know the corporate world was not all Kumbaya in the era when these things were made, but the design at least more fun than vehicles tend to be now.)
Hopeful_Tadpole6808@reddit
Years ago around Torrance, CA there was one of the vehicles in the area. It was being restored. Very nice "art deco (?)" style.
rockstar_not@reddit
About 20 years ago when I was working on intake and exhaust sound quality, I got to see the one at the GM Heritage Center, which is not open to the public. It had a diorama with mechatronics to show what GM thought the future of ground transportation could be like.
JohnnyBananapeel@reddit
It's like a giant electrolux vacuum cleaner!
captcraigaroo@reddit
I remember seeing this thing on the Barrett-Jackson as a kid. It's still just as cool as back then
Idonotgetthisatall@reddit
Anyone here have an idea about the about the actual aerodynamics of these things? Surely better than a tractor trailer of the time, but aerodynamic modelling wasn't a thing yet, they were more just making things that looked slippery.
JPSwans@reddit
This kinda reminds me of the Mammoth Car from Speed Racer a bit. Crazy looking truck!
AgentVirg24110@reddit
Looks like they pulled a designer from EMD to work on it
BBQQA@reddit
Too funny, I was just in Auburn, Indiana last weekend and saw this in person. It is HUGE. I almost took a picture to post here hahaha.
samaramatisse@reddit
The museum is incredible. Got to go with my dad years ago.
BBQQA@reddit
I went primarily for Disney Cars. My toddlers are OBSESSED with Pixar Cars... and they have a full sized replica of Lightning McQueen, Doc, and Mater in the museum for the next few weeks. I had a great time looking at all the old cars, my boys were just amazed that the cars they love watching are somehow real.
It was such a great day.
samaramatisse@reddit
Oh, that's awesome. I didn't realize they did traveling displays like that. As I said, it's been years since I went. Happy that you and your kids had a very good experience.
Skjellyfetti13@reddit
I want one of these SO badly. What a cool truck!
Forza_Harrd@reddit
Really needed to hear that at full volume. Not.
Joltyboiyo@reddit
I wish vehicles had this kinda look today, this thing looks amazing.
colin_staples@reddit
More information here
https://www.theautopian.com/the-stunning-art-deco-gm-futurliner-is-the-coolest-bus-on-earth-and-nothing-else-comes-close/
Happy-Example-1022@reddit
Parade of progress
International-Gear75@reddit
Looks like it came straight out of Fallout.
KindClock9732@reddit
The future needed a muffler
davesr25@reddit
Train, plane and a fire engine been getting it on.
doned_mest_up@reddit
I’m happy someone took a look at that, and just knew that they had to keep it mint. Looks awesome!
TheManRoomGuy@reddit
It’s a beautifully sculpted machine. Was that the base of the vehicle they created for the movie Mystery Men?
seantabasco@reddit
It looks like a vehicle from the Batman animated show.
mopedgirl@reddit
They are super cool vehicles. Only room for the single driver, at least for the two of them I have seen in person. It would be amazing to see all of the remaining ones brought back together someday, but I believe at least two are in Germany now and many have been ‘missing’ for a long time.
Wideeye101@reddit
Actually out-Fallouts the fictional vehicles of Fallout.