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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. Having earlier used eight custom Streamliners from 1936-1940, GM sponsored the Parade of Progress and the Futurliners from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1953 to 1956.
The convoy of a dozen “Red Elephants” as they were nicknamed and 30-plus other vehicles staffed by about 60, trundled across the continent for the next three years presenting shows, but the tour’s popularity was waning and TV was fast usurping its promotional role.
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 bodywork, deep red side and white roof paint, large articulated chrome side panels, a military-grade 302-cu.in. GMC straight-six gasoline engine and automatic transmission, whitewall tires and a prominent, high-mounted, centrally located driver command position with a panoramic windshield.
12 Futurliners were manufactured, with nine still known to exist as of 2007. In 2014, Futurliner #10 was nominated for inclusion in the National Historic Vehicle Register.[3]
Built By: GMC Truck and Fisher Coach & Body.
Specifics:
Number built: 12
Built: 1939
Overhauled: 1953
Retired: 1956
Height: 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 meters)
Width: 7 feet 10 inches (2.4 meters)
Length: 32 feet 10 inches (10 meters)
Wheelbase: 20 feet 8 inches (6.3 meters)
Weight: 30,000 pounds (14 metric tons) (approx)
Fuel Capacity: 90 U.S. gallons (340 L) (2×45 gallon tanks)
Powertrain(1940–1946): 4-cylinder diesel/manual transmission
Power Train (1953–1956): GMC 302ci 6-cylinder /4-speed Hydramatic plus 2-speed manual gearbox
Top Speed: 40 mph (64 km/h) (1940-1946)
50 mph (80 km/h) (1953-1956)
These vehicles cost less than $2,000 dollars when they were first sold.
