Old Bus Photos > General Motors 1950s Futurliner - Futureliner Bus

General Motors 1950s Futurliner - Futureliner Bus

March 29, 2002

The following photo(s) are © copyrighted by Jeff Turner (US)







Hi,

Here is a bus I ran across. Can you tell me what it is?


It's a GM Futurliner ™ (Futureliner). These were traveling displays. In other words the sides of the bus opened up to feature exhibits... at fairs and events.

YOUR COMMENTS

is this for sale how much did you pay for it only 12 in existance and 3 to be runnin is it runin


Posted by: Mike on Mar 24, 06 | 7:35 am

Recently this GM Futureliner bus model sold at Barret Jackson auction for 4 million dollars. the seller was hoping to 600,000. I watched the auction on the speed channel.


Posted by: Harry Williams on May 12, 06 | 10:20 am

It is unique looking. Reminds me more of a futuristic looking truck to me then a passenger carrying bus. I believe it made an appearence for a few days at the Museum Of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pa.


Posted by: george on Oct 05, 06 | 4:21 am

That 'thing' is one of about 15 vehicles that GM built for a science and technology show that toured the country from the early 1940's (in earlier versions of this vehicle) to the mid 1950's. The exhibits were set up inside the Futurliners and were deployed by opening the sides to form small stages. Each one had a light set that was jacked up from the top and when they were parked wagon train-style in an open lot, an instant venue for a science fair was realized.
I was 11 years old in 1954 when the show came to Baton Rouge and set up in a field on Nicholson Drive on the LSU campus.

If you use 'Futurliner' for a search term, you will find much info. In the Barret-Jackson auction the commentator mistakenly called it a bus but they were never used for transportation. A website devoted to Futurliner describes a badly engineered machine with a top speed of about 45 mph.
Tom


Posted by: Tom on Mar 19, 07 | 10:58 am

Ther are two futurliners owned by Peter Pan Bus Lines. But only one is refurbished.


Posted by: Paul Bowler on Oct 06, 07 | 3:16 pm

Actually the looks are borrowed from General Motors Diesel Locomotive styling. Look for pictures of E-8 and F-7 locomotives from the 50's


Posted by: Bill on May 02, 08 | 9:47 am

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