GM Futurliner Restoration Brings Back Iconic Parade of Progress

Clinton Township custom slot car track-maker recreates diorama for coast-to-coast GM Futurliner restoration.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:15pm

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A rare 1939 GM Futurliner, one of only 12 ever built, is undergoing a meticulous restoration by a team of experts including Rob Ida, a renowned restoration specialist, and David Beattie of Slot Mods, a custom slot car track maker. The Futurliner, purchased by California car collector Matt Katz, will be displayed at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the GM Heritage Center in Grand Blanc once the restoration is complete.

Why it matters

The Futurliner was a key part of GM's Parade of Progress, a traveling exhibit that toured the country in the 1940s and 1950s, showcasing the automaker's vision for the future. This restoration project aims to bring back the original 1939 Harley Earl design and recreate the interactive displays that were part of the Parade of Progress, allowing a new generation to experience this iconic piece of automotive history.

The details

The restoration process has been extensive, with the team having to fabricate new body panels, engineer a plastic dome for the driver's compartment, and create the fold-down displays and slot car track that were part of the original Futurliner. Slot Mods' David Beattie has been tasked with recreating the dioramas and miniature displays that were featured in the Parade of Progress, a process that he estimates will take over a year to complete.

  • The Futurliner was purchased by Matt Katz a year ago from Massachusetts-based Peter Pan Bus Lines.
  • The restoration work has been ongoing for the past 9-10 months.
  • The original plan was to have the Futurliner completed by December 2026 so that Jay Leno could drive it to the Peterson Museum, but those plans had to be shelved.

The players

Matt Katz

The owner of the Caretakers Collection in Beverly Hills, California, who purchased the Futurliner a year ago for his collection.

Rob Ida

A restoration specialist who is leading the team working on the Futurliner restoration at his shop in New Jersey.

David Beattie

The owner of Slot Mods in Clinton Township, Michigan, who is recreating the dioramas and miniature displays that were part of the original Parade of Progress.

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What they’re saying

“I specialize in weird. There are cars in my collection that I dreamt of having growing up, and there are others that other people dreamt of making.”

— Matt Katz (dbusiness.com)

“The reason why I chose Dave instead of a Hollywood designer is the interaction. It's really important to me that wherever this ends up, that a kid gets to hold the slot car controller and (gets to) be interactive with it.”

— Matt Katz (dbusiness.com)

“I think my jaw's going to drop when I see it finished. It's such a gorgeous design. The decision to go back to the bubble top of the original version really makes the energy and the uniqueness of the bus.”

— Matt Katz (dbusiness.com)

What’s next

Once the restoration is complete, the Futurliner will be shipped via flatbed truck to Los Angeles to be displayed at the Peterson Automotive Museum. It will then be loaned to the GM Heritage Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

The takeaway

This restoration project not only brings back an iconic piece of automotive history, but also showcases the dedication and creativity of the team involved. By recreating the interactive displays and dioramas that were part of the original Parade of Progress, they are ensuring that a new generation can experience the wonder and excitement that captivated audiences decades ago.