Guest Silverghost Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Seeing the Futureliner from the GM Parade of Progress at this last Barrett-Jackson Auction brought back memories for me!!! As a small chid I saw these Futureliners in Atlantic City near Steel Pier's GM Motorama display of cars... In one of the Futureliner displays they talked of everyone driving flying cars by the 1970s !!! As a Kid I thought this would be fantastic!!! I could not wait for the "Future"!!! Around the same time I was at the Movies on a Saturday Afternoon (50 cents!) waiting for the latest Roy Rogers adventure when just before the movie a Movietone newsreel showed a guy that was BUILDING & Selling a real flying car!!! It was a bit odd, and not a very good car because of it's small landing-gear wheels...BUT IT FLEW VERY WELL!!! I thought WOW! THE FLYING CARS ARE HERE!!!I later read in Popular Mechanics,(or Science), that he had gone into limited production of these "Flying-Cars". Do any still exist today ??? Does anyone else remember seeing these cars??? Does an AACA member own one??? NO....(not the Jessie James Flop...) To this day I feel betrayed... I always wanted the "Flying Car" that I had been Promised by the GM Futureliner Folks !!! Had GM followed through... Well...Who knows...??? GM might be in better shape today!!! I always LOVED those GM Motorama shows!!! Fell in LOVE with the first Corvette I saw there!!! ( I have owned a 1960 FI roadster since 1977!!!) I saw 5-6 of those shows !!! People would flock to see them!!! Always wondered WHY they NEVER BUILT any of those wonderful concept cars ??? (except the Corvette???) Only saw the Futureliners once !!! BUT I STILL REMEMBER THEM... GM should consider doing shows like this again...and possibly Build new Futureliners!!!This would really wave the GM flag!!! OH...I forgot to mention that I actually met Roy Rogers once...At a "Roy Rogers" Grand Opening in 1974...He was a really GREAT GUY !!!He rode into the parking lot riding "Shotgun" on a stage coach!!! The Phlia. Mayor and Big-Wigs were inside the coach!!! There was a large group of 30y/0 +++ "Kids" cheering for him!!!The Mayor of Phila. and the Big-Wigs of MarriottCorp. tried to RUSH him into cutting the ribbon for the Grand Opening!!! He would Not hear of it!...He told them..."I want to Visit with my friends some more...There's no rush!!!"I think he enjoyed being there MORE than the Crowd that came to see him!!! One person asked him if "Trigger" was really stuffed and displayed in his museum??? He replied ..."Why... YES HE IS...an Dale said when I croak she is going to have ME STUFFED and placed in my saddle on him... to display US BOTH in the museum!!!" He was a very nice man indeed... The Last of the "Singing Cowboys" He sang Happy Trails that day... Great Man...TRUE STORY!!! Happy Trails to ALL !!! R.I.P. Roy & Trigger !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanderson44 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Of all the "Flying Cars" proposed over the years, I believe only the Molton Taylor Aerocar ever saw any sort of production, if one can call 6 or 7 examples built over the time period late 40's to late 70's. One Aerocar became very well-known, and was airworthy as recently as 2000, that one being the unit built for Comedian Robert "Bob" Cummings in the middle 1950's, and flown by him as part of the trailers for "The Bob Cummings Show" on TV circa 1959-61. That one was restored, and was flown annually to the EAA Convention at Oshkosh. The others all failed for one reason or another, either too heavy (the flying Pinto and the Flying Honda Civic, or for safety reasons (Convair's 1947 Flying CAr)--and ultimately, all of them failed to generate any sort of consumer interest.As for GM's Motorama, those got to be pretty expensive, for no more spectators than could actually view the exhibits--GM started these, of course, before Television had become a universal fixture in American homes, and ended them when it became apparent that something like 90% of American households had a TV (early 60's) and GM could better spend the money on both commercials and "Specials" introducing the new models come fall (remember the Dinah Shore fall specials introducing the "new Chevrolet's"? Those were in addition to her regular hour variety "Dinah Shore Chevy Show", and some of them were a full 2 hours!As for the Motorama dream cars themselves, at least one other dream car made it into production, albeit modified slightly, that being the 1857-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, which had appeared as a town car (open driver's compartment) in 1955, and then as a closed car in 1956. L'Universal, the Motorama-inspired do all things van of 1956-57 gave many of its features, and a lot of its shapes to the Corvair Greanbriar/Rampside/Corvan series of 1961-64. The classic 1950's wraparound windshield began with LeSabre, the famed 1950 Dream Car that Harley Earl drove as a personal car for a number of years. While there are many examples of dream car features making it to production (GM's 4dr hardtop "Sports Sedans" of 1956 were pioneered by a reworked 1954 Cadillac show car in the '54 Motorama's). Some dream cars were just too far out to be seriously considered for any sort of production, lead of course by Firebirds I, II and III--turbine powered cars just weren't in anyone's future. But if you look through the pictures of the GM dream cars of the 50's, even those from Chrysler and Ford, you do find many instances where the styling themes and touches did find their way into production eventually. Perhaps the most visible of these was the Nomad--first done as a Corvette'themed fiberglas sport station wagon on a '54 Chevy chassis, the roofline styling quickly adapted to the up-and-coming 1955 Chevrolet and Pontiac station wagons (Nomad and Safari respectively). In recent memory, of course, several dream cars (now termed "Concept Cars") have made it into production, most notable being the first generation Dodge Viper, the Plymouth Prowler, VW's "Millenium Beetle", Ford's last 2-seater Thunderbird and the 2005 Mustang, Chevy's SSR, and Chrysler's 300C & Crossfire. Those are all examples of styling which, while built to gauge public reaction, achieved enough acceptance to warrant creation of production versions.I never saw a Motorama, but I do remember vividly seeing the GM Powerama at Soldier Field in Chicago in September 1955, at the ripe old age of eleven, on a one-week vacation trip (got to be out of school for a week!!!) with my parents. Lotta stories I can share about that experience--what a show!Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 As far as personal flying "cars", would the "Ultralites" qualify? If so, I can understand why they're not catching on. Not a whole lot of protection for the body in those things. Another thought, can you imagine the mayhem in the air, if the same folks driving cars now-a-days are flying? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuhner Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Ah, Roy Rogers. Remember to cowboy code? I keep a copy in my office. The flying cars seem to be in New Zealand.See this link. Be patient it takes some time to load.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/25/flying_car_launch_site/greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Robert Fulton built a flying car in Danbury, Ct. in the late 1940's. I believe he left it to the Smithsonian. I'm sure a Google search would turn up a biography on his lifes work, the "Sky Hook" is his true claim to fame I believe. In the mid 1960's he kept a P-51 Mustang at the Danbury Airport, if I close my eyes I can still see and hear it taking off.http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/fulton.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanderson44 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as personal flying "cars", would the "Ultralites" qualify? If so, I can understand why they're not catching on. Not a whole lot of protection for the body in those things. Another thought, can you imagine the mayhem in the air, if the same folks driving cars now-a-days are flying? Wayne </div></div>Not really. The whole concept of the "Flying Car" was to have a car for use on the streets, take it to the airport, bolt on wings, tail and propellor, taxi out, take off and fly through the air. Sort of a "Bi-Modal" transportation, if you will.Your point about what it would be like if there were a lot of flying cars, though, is very well taken. The airways at times are quite crowded, as it is--can you just see millions of cars up there too?Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Hi member Kuhner.Just a geographic correction, Perth Western Australia, where the Google Earth photo is taken and your link directs us is a long way from New Zealand!!Just the same, I'm pretty sure we don't have any flying cars down here, or in New Zealand for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 I want a RIDE in a"Flying Car" before I die!!!If it's the LAST thing ever I do!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 I don't know ??? You folks have some very Strange & Odd things "Down Under"...Just look at Steve Irwin...By crikey!!!Never saw anyone who loved to tease poisonous snakes & crocks so much!!! Also named his child after his dead Dog!!!Do all you folks wear those little shorts and matching kaki shirts like Steve does ???And let's not forget Paul (Put another Shrimp on the Barbie) Hogan !!!Are BOTH these guys as popular there as they are here in the "States" We crazy Americans can't seem to get enough of them!!!Steve has been really Popular here the last few years !!! Are you SURE you don't have some "Flying Cars" down under there somewhere ???I think you just might be hiding them from us ??? I might have to come and see for myself some day??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 You might have a few bad..."Flying Car Drivers" but I would bet that they would not LAST for very long...If you know what I mean??? Might be a great way to "WEED-OUT" the Bad Drivers...Sort of like Darwin's Natural Seletion- Survival of the Fittest!!! Don't you just wish you had a paint-ball machine gun on you car sometimes ??? It would then be easy to spot the very bad drivers!!!Just look for the most paint splotches... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="font-weight: bold">Just look for the most paint splotches... </span> </div></div> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Hey, that's cool, but I'll bet the older owners of Caddy's and Mercedes would get a little offended. Ever heard of a lawyer? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Heard of a Lawyer ??? I AM ONE !!! Among OTHER things !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Brad, your number has been noted. I travel through your area. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leadsled1953 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 they are parked in the driveways of those futuristic homes we were suppose to be living in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leadsled1953 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 i loved all those "the way it will be in the future" stuff we watched as kids. http://www.plan59.com/av/av004.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leadsled1953 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 http://www.plan59.com/av/av249.htm the service station of thr future.this is where those flying cars gas up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Sled, you need to contact New Orleans with the first picture. That picture a whole lot prettier than anything they manage to do. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Heard of a Lawyer ??? I AM ONE !!! Among OTHER things !!! </div></div>There goes the Forum neighborhood! What kind of lawyer might I ask? A darn good one is NOT an answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Steve who??? Paul Hogan, yeah I remember him, he used to be a painter on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.We really don't have any flying cars down here. Basically we are simple folk, we stick to flying aeroplanes ( that's airplane in your neck of the woods ) and driving cars on the ground, if they get airborne it's a real disaster. It all seems to work better they way i.e. planes for airtravel and cars for road use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mitchell Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 There was a modular flying car all set up in an "exploded" display at Retromobile in Paris last year, just as if you had just detached the wings to drive away. I would guess it was from the late 60s or early 70s. I will send you a photo of it if I can find it. It was very cool and had a prominent place at the show and was always surrounded with curious crowds. I had never seen one. I think that there was a photo of it in flight there also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leadsled1953 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 the flying car never really did much for me[if i fly like i drive i think i'd be toast]my favorite flight was in an old 1930 biplane.i guess i wasn't cut out for the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Flying cars, brings to mind the James Bond movie with JW Pepper in it..."Secret Agent? On who's sideee!!!!!!!!!" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Had an American Motors, what,Javelin?, "Aero"-car for a fast getaway. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 What Kind of lawyer am I??? I am the LAST "Honest Lawyer" left in the state of Pennsylvania !!! That's why I don't "Practice" Law anymore!!! It was no longer any fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Brad, I feel for you. I know stress very well. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> At least you found a solution to your problem. I'm still working on mine. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leadsled1953 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 http://www.futurliner.com/ looking back at the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Great web site "lead", but I couldn't find out what type of engine powered this vehicle. The trailer-generator unit engine looks like a small two cycle GM/Detroit Diesel. On further thoughts, I see where a cutout was designed to prevent smutting of the exterior panels...tells me it must have had diesel power. Any remarks??Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanderson44 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great web site "lead", but I couldn't find out what type of engine powered this vehicle. The trailer-generator unit engine looks like a small two cycle GM/Detroit Diesel. On further thoughts, I see where a cutout was designed to prevent smutting of the exterior panels...tells me it must have had diesel power. Any remarks??Wayne </div></div>I recall the docents handling NATMUS' Futurliner at the American Truck Historical Society National Convention telling me that the engine is a correct vintage GMC 270cid inline 6-cylinder truck engine. On their website, there is a page of pictures showing the restoration of the carburetor for the engine.While it might seem "odd" that GM Coach would have installed the gas engine used in GMC trucks of the period, as opposed to the then new, state of the art 4 or 6 cylinder inline 71-series diesel engine, bear in mind that for all the bulky look of the Futurliners, they aren't really all that big, only 33' long, apparently didn't carry all that much heavy cargo (mostly displays), and the prevailing speeds on highways in 1939-40 for such vehicles probably wasn't much over about 50mph. I think the use of dual wheels all around was as much for appearance (certainly up front) as anything else--rear would have been appropriate, but probably to give a heavy-duty look to the front.This is a neat vehicle, and it's really great to see it restored! I remember vividly how "sad" it looked, when I first saw it in August 1994, when a friend of mine and I stopped at the ACD Museum & NATMUS in Auburn on our way to Meadowbrook Hall Concours. Both of us seriously questioned that this Futurliner could ever be restored--it was THAT badly rusted and battered! But, it has, and it's one astounding vehicle to see!Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Art, you can see the dedication in the eyes of those volunteers doing their magic to get her bcak in shape. The photo record is an interesting record to go through.Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
241psa Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Is that real lawyer or barracks lawyer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 I'm not an expert, but I suspect that the dual wheels (in the rear, at least) are to stabilize the big "billboard" when bucking cross winds. Maybe Wayne can shed a little more light on the need for dual wheels.I've pulled trailers for many, many miles with a suburban, and when I finally pulled a trailer with a duelly, I couldn't believe the difference in handling, especially with a cross wind. I'm sold on dual rear wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 West, stability is one thing, but the extra expense is another. Everybody has their own way of doing things.I also notice that a lot of people never check the inside tire for a flat. You know, you have to bend over. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know, you have to bend over. Wayne </div></div>I think I'll just leave comment on that one for someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novaman Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Wayne, That's what the tire iron is for. Make sure the inside tire sounds like the outside one when you hit them. Dull thud = going flat. At least you have to bend over so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Thats what the fire axe is for on the school bus, only problem is you can have 6 flats if you use the wrong end... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Green Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Quote; "Make sure the inside tire sounds like the outside one when you hit them. Dull thud = going flat." I learned this trick from a friend who has towed over 500K miles only he kicks the truck and trailer tires with his foot. You can actually here the difference after a few years of doing this, though people at the rest stops still look at you kind of funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Ron/David, that's a fact. I used to use the foot method like my Dad before me, but with some new radials, the difference in sound is hard to deciper. That's where the "Big Stick" works better. To be really cool, go to any truckstop, buy the specially made wooden "beater" for this. It has a metal ring around one end, makes you special like a Professional Truckdriver, if there is such a thing!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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