The facts about the Tucker & the man behind it are fascinating (Cord rear trans, modified Franklin helicopter engine, etc.). BUT, about as many myths & misinformation as facts have grown up about the fabulous Tucker automobile. This is further complicated by a modern wave of historical revisionists who, basically, claim the Tucker was mainly just HYPE. In a word, I say ******** to that! The actual facts are more amazing than anything that could be made up. If you want to be amazed, search the web & you'll find GOBS of good info. If you like the cars, it's well WORTH the time!!!
The dad of a girl I know had owned Tucker #001 here in Jersey back in the 60's/70's or so. She showed me a photo of her sitting on the front bumper when she was like 5. I know I have a copy of the reg. but not sure if i still have a copy of the photo. I'll post it if it turns up. Her dad sold it for something like a couple grand back then and almost dropped when he saw it go for a half mil years later. "His ship came in, but he was at the airport"
Saw a Tucker 2 weeks ago in the Henry Ford Museum. In the Ypsilanti Heritage Museum, there is one of the "movie" cars, not a real Tucker. But the Ypsi museum is filled with Tucker memorabilia. Here is a link to my pictures of the museum. http://rides.webshots.com/album/560083444CAmpOm It is also filled with Corvairs and Corvair memorabilia, and it is in an original Hudson Dealership, so Hudson stuff as well. Preston tucker was from Ypsilanti.
When I lived in CA, I attended a car show at Beverly Hills HS and that car was on display there. That was in the mid 90's and they had a guard watching the car. He told me that Mr. Peterson bought the car for $750,000.00 and it was Preston Tucker's personal car. I did get some pictures of it and believe the car you saw was also the car I saw. Was it dark blue or black?
Thats Bev Feraria's car ...super nice guy he shows it at all the nor-cal concourses has for years . he drives the **** out of it . he let me sit in it at one of the shows years ago. One of the high points that i can remember in my life. (the ****er yellow one that started this thread)
My wife made some bedroom curtains for my son's room from that material covering the seat of that car.
IsettaJohn, if I were that young lady's dad, I'd be crrying too! (BUT, then, it would still be in my garage -- even if I had to build one!) Good story anyway, buddy! Sure would love to see that pic!
Trans, maybe steering wheel & instrument cluster. Evidence seems to mount that Preston DID have to scale back on some frills & hardware from his original "wish list." Remember, he'd wanted four-wheel disc brakes, ALL three lights to pivot & much more. Even though Tucker touted the 48 as a "safety car," he ironically overrules his engineers who wanted seat belts. He said that might imply the far was too fast and, hence, not really safe!
WOW thanx for the super cool thread/pix.....an original, being DRIVEN by the ORIGINAL owner.....kudos to them....as mentioned, trailer sailors and chainers take note !!!. I love that fastback sedan - so much so that If I had the bread, Id build a replica and drive the wheels off it - originals are hardly ever offered for sale but a replica built to the last detail would be awesome as a driver. Fantastic design and art deco detail abounds.....love at first sight for me. I believe Rob Ida at IDA Automotive was offering repro bodies/parts for these, not sure if they still do. Awesome pix thanx for sharing !! Rat
RatBastad, I just read the other day that 'gl*** bodies are available to build repros of the Tuck 48! To me what would be more difficult would be ch***is (fab from scratch?), finding a Tucker or similar Franklin AirCooled engine, '36/'37 Cord trans, etc., SO that it came close to resembling one of the oiginals. BUT, then, maybe THIS is where you could utilize that DeS 330 hi-deck you've been working toward!
Wow, thanks for the pics and the story about them. You are one blessed man to have seen one in person and it being driven by it's owner, let alone being able to help them in a time of need. From the frist time I ever seen one I knew that they were very cool cars, way ahead of the big 3 at the time.
How about a Tucker with a Twin Turbo Northstar V8??? http://www.robidaconcepts.com/page/page/1916736.htm
I think you can relax, Skoh73. Pretty sure nobody would alter a $300,000 car and spend $50- to $100,000 MORE for this custom. It's just a REAL COOL 'gl*** custom -- and well done, too.
Anybody have any clue to what this is ? I only see something close on the trunk lid, but this has a little radius to it.
To have been one of the lucky few to get to buy one in '48 (when he must have been pretty young) and then to keep it all of these years and then to still be doing road trips... fantastic.
hey Mj40's...thanks for sharing. man the car looks brand new. unbeliveable! some day i hope it winds up in a museum.hell couldn't get parts anyway.... POP
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