If you've ever seen an abandoned old hulk of a truck lying in a field somewhere and thought, "what a shame, someone should restore that thing", you're not alone. Fortunately, some people actually do. In most cases the cost of restoration far outweighs the value of the vehicle. But every once in a while, the payoff is huge. That's the case with this piece of history. Being rescued from a Chicago area salvage yard in the early 1990's, the Futureliner was about to embark on a 15,000 hour makeover. Originally restored for a cell phone promotion in Canada, it is now back in it's original 1940 configuration and colors. Number eleven of only twelve built for the GM Parade of Progress Tour, she is one of only three left in driving condition.

Restoring odd vehicles with limited appeal is a risky proposition at best. You can't open a catalog or order the parts on-line. If it's broken, or missing, you have to make a new one. Tough enough on a little convertible, never mind a vehicle 33' long. Imagine how many times "you're restoring what?" had to be answered during this project. But limited appeal is okay when it's limited to those who know the vehicle's significance and true value as a piece of not just automotive, but American history, and have the money to show their appreciation. That's why when the hammer dropped on the 21'st of January 2006 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, the owners got more than the 600k they hoped for. A lot more. Final price after a heart stopping battle between two bidders was a cool 4 million. Now, she's on her way to be re-united with other vehicles from the Parade of Progress where she belongs.

The fact is, cars like Corvette's and Cuda's don't get scrapped any more. They're safe from the crusher thanks to public awareness, strong demand, parts availability and the passing of time. Chances are, the ones left will be around for a long time even if they're restored several times. These types of vehicles however are very different. Commercial trucks and vans. The vehicles that have been the backbone of our country