News & Features April 28, 2006, 2:20PM EST

1948 Tucker 48

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An all-independent suspension had a disc brake at every wheel, and a 24-volt electrical system was used. Safety features included a center-mounted headlight that turned with the steering wheel, a pop-out windshield, a padded dash, and a safety zone in front of the passenger seat where occupants could dive in the event of an impending collision.

The biggest problem came from the big boxer six, which was inadequate to propel the heavy, torque-converter-equipped car, as it made less than 100 horsepower. The motor was replaced with a 335-ci helicopter unit, produced by Air Cooled Motors of Syracuse, NY. Tucker bought Air Cooled to secure as many motors as he projected he'd need for production. The torque converters were scrapped, and the first Tucker cars used an electronic pre-select transmission that last saw use on pre-war 810 and 812 series Cords. ("Last saw use" is not used here as a euphemism, as Tucker and his men found themselves buying used Cords throughout the country and scrapping them for their transmissions.)

The helicopter motor proved to be a wise choice, as after conversion to water-cooling, it proved to be sturdy and powerful, making 166 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Tuckers could be driven at speeds over 120 mph. But an article in a contemporary edition of The Chicago Tribune mentioned that the prototype had no reverse gear. This was true of the test car, but not for the production models, yet the rumor persisted. Old-timers will still occasionally ask owners how they find driving a car that can't back up.

As you might expect of any small manufacturer, many parts for the Tucker were lifted directly from other production models. Items such as door handles and window cranks were Detroit-sourced, likely a few pieces at a time. The steering wheel was a modified Lincoln Zephyr unit. I recently saw a parts interchange list with some more contemporary exchanges, including someone who has replaced the rear window of their car with Ford Pinto back glass.

Los Angeles-based Kinmont was to provide disc brakes for the production cars, but in reality that did not happen. Seat belts were abandoned because of fears the public would perceive them as something necessary in this car only, leading people to believe the Tucker was unsafe. But many features, like the pop-out windshield, the center headlight, and the padded dash and safety zone stayed in the production car.

Ultimately, the Tucker story ends with the company falling into receivership after an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, one that failed to convict Preston Tucker of anything. Even so, the bad publicity was enough to end his dreams of revolutionizing the auto industry.

The car pictured here was sold new at the Tucker bankruptcy auction to a Fred Paris of the Paris Food Brokerage. At the time of its sale, it was without a transmission. Paris had a Cord unit installed, and drove it for a reported 18,000 miles before selling it to a used car dealer. It passed through the hands of several other owners until restoration was begun in 2002.

Tuckers are not easy or inexpensive to restore. Although some parts do exist, many that would be necessary to complete a comprehensive restoration would certainly need to be built by hand. Recent Tucker sales have tended to be in the $250,000–$350,000 range, with lower prices for incomplete or modified cars.

Pricey at $495,000, even for a freshly restored example, car #1043 most likely rang the bell on Tucker prices for quite some time. During the hypermarket of 15 years ago they routinely went for this kind of money, so perhaps the new owner has the historical perspective, and the bucks, to hang on for the ride.

Somewhere, in a place far away, Preston Tucker is laughing. I'd like him to know that he has a cold one waiting at my house.

(Historical and descriptive information courtesy of the auction company.)

Years Produced 1948

Number Produced 51 (includes cars completed after plant closing)

Original List Price $2,450 (projected)

SCM Valuation $250,000-$350,000

Tune-up Cost $2,500

Distributor Caps $225

Chassis # 1043

Chassis # Location on a data plate on the firewall

Engine # Location on front of the bell housing, stamped on top of the block

Club Info Tucker Automobile Club of America, 9509 Hinton Dr, Santee, CA 92071