Global InformationGM Futurliner information
| GM Futurliner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1936–1941, 1953–1956 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 248 inches (6.3 meters)[1] |
| Length | 33 feet (10 meters)[1] |
| Width | 96 inches (2.4 meters)[1] |
| Height | 11 feet 7 inches (3.53 meters)[1] |
| Curb weight | 33,000 pounds (15 metric tons) (approx)[1] |
The GM Futurliners were a group of custom vehicles, styled in the 1940s by Harley Earl for General Motors, and integral to the company's Parade of Progress—a North American traveling exhibition promoting future cars and technologies.[2][3] Having earlier used eight custom Streamliners from 1936 to 1940,[4] GM sponsored the Parade of Progress and the Futurliners from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1953 to 1956.
At 33 feet long, 8 feet wide, more than 11 feet tall, and weighing more than 12 tons, each Futurliner featured heavily stylized art deco, streamlined bodywork, deep red side and white roof paint, large articulated chrome side panels, a military-grade 302 cubic inch GMC straight-six gasoline engine and automatic transmission,[5] whitewall tires and a prominent, high-mounted, centrally located driver command position with a panoramic windshield. A rarely seen technical feature was that the front wheels, in addition to rear wheels, were also dual wheels.[3]
Of the twelve original Futurliners, one was destroyed in a 1956 accident, and nine were known to survive as of 2007. The status and location of several are unknown.
In 2014, Futurliner #10 was nominated for inclusion in the National Historic Vehicle Register.[6]
- ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference
NBT-2001-02was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "1936, The Parade of Progress". GM Heritage Center. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ a b "The GM Futurliner GM Futurliner Restoration Project National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States". GM Futurliner Restoration Project National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States.
- ^ "1936-'40 GM Streamliner". The GM Futurliner Restoration project. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Futurliner No. 10 to go on National Historic Vehicle Register, finds permanent home". Hemmings Motor News. November 19, 2014.
- ^ "G.M.'s Futurliner to Take Its Place Among Historically Important Vehicles There is one on display in Auburn Indiana at the Auburn Chird Dusceburg museum". The New York Times. 2014-11-26.