General Motors built 12 Futurliner buses for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, of which just 9 remain. Part of their “Parade of Progress display,” the buses opened up to show what life would be like in a future replete with microwaves, radar, and televisions. The example that will be auctioned on eBay from July 8-18 is a product of a three-year restoration. Back in 2006, one sold at Barrett Jackson for $4.1m. eBay is expecting its Furturliner to be the most expensive vehicle ever auctioned by the site.
Update: With a top bid of $505,600 the Futurliner failed to meet its reserve, and did not sell.
The Futurliner was designed by Harley Earl, whom eBay describes as “a visionary artist and engineer considered a 20th century DaVinci.” At the time of their construction, the Futurliners each cost, in today’s dollars, $2m to build. The timing of eBay’s listing coincides with today’s celebration of National Collector Car Appreciation Day. Bidding on the classic bus begins at 9pm Eastern time tonight.
