Folks, now is your chance to buy a true automotive icon — an honest-to-God 1939 GM Futurliner. It’ll cost you nearly $1 million, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the coolest vehicles ever made. It’s not every day an opportunity like this shows up, and wouldn’t you rather be seen in this thing than the latest hypercar? I know I would.
Right now, the truck is owned by Peter Pan Bus Lines in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it’s one of just 12 Futurliners ever built between 1936 and 1940. It’s actually just one of nine left – even though no one is sure where most of the others are. Peter Pan owns a second one, according to The Drive, and this one is lucky number 7, according to the Facebook Marketplace listing. Originally, they were built to promote General Motors’ Parade of Progress.
I’m not totally sure what you’d do with it, other than look at its futuristic body panels and take up a ton of space, but what more do you really need, ya know? Its massive logo, quad headlight pod, brilliant Art Deco bodywork and central driving position are more than enough if you ask me.
Despite the fact that this bus is nearly 33 feet long, it has just three seats. In actuality, the Futurliner was never meant to carry passengers. Instead, it was a sort of rolling showcase. The sides of the truck open up into a stage for people to host events. I know where I want to see my next concert.
While the truck’s body and driving position may seem like something from the distant future, its motor is actually the most forward-thinking part of the truck, because it was retrofitted with a Detroit Diesel four-cylinder motor and Allison automatic transmission when it was restored in the late 1990s. If that’s not your style, the Facebook listing says the original gas engine and transmission are included in the sale. Additionally, the steering was upgraded with power assist, which is probably a welcome addition. That Detroit Diesel motor is enough to get this massive thing down the highway “very well” at 50 mph and over. Not too shabby.
Unfortunately, I do not have the $998,900 required to buy this Futurliner, but if you do, please buy this thing and give it a good home. It’s a piece of automotive history that deserves to be around forever. Oh, and please let me drive it. I beg of you.
