[ QUOTE ]
Rob, very cool you got the tour....I only wish! . Did Bortz himself show you around....and did you get to see the Biscayne and the Banshee?! .
Seems like he's been thinning the heard down to mostly GM stuff? . I wonder if he's wishing he kept his Futurliner after the BJ result of the 'Fidoliner' this year? . He 'gave' his to the 'Natmus' group a few years ago and is the one they've spent countless $ and effort on a beautiful restoration. . It's the one that was at the 'Eyes on design' show etc.....not the BJ one.
~ Pete
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, Joe himself gave me and a co-worker a personal tour. We followed him to various garages and warehouses in the Chicago area, (six of them, actually!).
The Wagon was in a 3 car garage that he was renting in a suburban area. It was housed with a 60's Thunderbird that he said belonged to his daughter.
We did not see the Banshee, but the Biscayne was in a dirt-floor garage at another location. At that time, he was just getting ready to ship it our for restoration. I understand it has since been restored and was supposed to be displayed at the recent Iola show.
He did have other significant cars that have not been seen or talked about for many years. One was an absolutely beautiful 64 Pontiac Convertible that I believe was built by and/or for Bill Mitchell as a driver. Joe said that Pontiac Enthusiast magazine had just shot it for a feature article the day before. This car, along with his 55 Chevy Barris built Custom and a 57 Ford Custom that was built in the Detroit area were in the garage at his home.
Yep... I do indeed love my job!
Oh, Joe also told me he has had five of the Futureliners pass through his hands over the years!
