Ever seen Preston Tucker's roadster?

The LeMay roadster is DEFINITLY Tuckers kids car, but there is talk of him owning another one. Perhaps that's the one he's thinking of.
On a side note, LeMay also has an early 30's indy car with a rear mounted engine, that has a Tucker connection. It's called the Tucker Special.

 

yeah, I saw that. I convinced myself it was a Mazda Rotary motor even though it looks nothing like one. don't know what event coverage it was in.

 

I went for ride today and found that building on Fenton Rd. still there! It's some jive bootleg auto detail shop with beware of dog signs all over. That part of the city has really gone downhill. Wish The Speedshop was still there.

 

That is the LeMay car. They recently got it going again after a long layup because of a burnt turbine wheel.
I used to work with the guy that built it and have lunch with him ocassionally now.

http://www.lennybabe.net/roadster/Michigan.htm

 

All the parts that Tucker Jr. wrote to HR about, and posted in his ad (Milan brakes, leather upholstery, built flathead with dual plug heads), are missing from the LeMay car. Granted, many cars get completely rebuilt, but what other proof might there be that it is the same car? Just a placquard that LeMay made? Is there any other provenence?

 

No new info here except for the history on the car before Lemay bought it. Saw and photographed the car at Expo 86 in Vancouver. The placard reads:

"Believed to be the worlds first privately owned, jet turbine powered car, an original 1932 Ford Hiboy Roadster. This automobile was purchased in 1949 by 28 year old Leonard Williams of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comSeattle. </ST1</st1:City>It was purchased in Ypstlanti <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1 Michigan</ST1</st1:State> from the son of Preston Tucker of the famed Tucker Automobile Company. At the time it was powered by a Ford Flathead. Len installed a warmed over 1950 Olds engine.

In 1952 and 1954 the car was run at <ST1Bonneville salt flats</ST1 turning a respectable134 mph speed in the summer of 54. During this time Len was doing a part of a 17 year stint with the Boeing Company as an engineer. He was working in the jet turbine test and development division. It seemed only natural when in 1962(?) the opportunity arose to purchase a Boeing 502-6(?) turbine that Len would leap at the chance and buy it! The engine was easily traced by its serial number. It was the 25<SUP>th</SUP> one built by Boeing and was originally installed in a Cessna army L-19 observation plane. One morning in 1953(?) the tiny monoplane took off and set the world altitude record for light aircraft flying 37,063 feet above sea level! As you can see, both the car and the engine have enjoyed quite a colorful history.
<O
The 272 lb. engine was installed in the Ford in 1962. This was accomplished by mating turbine output shaft with Ford torque tube sans transmission. The fit was quite ? after the split of the Ford&#8217;s wishbone axle and the plumbing of the turbine.
<O
Len was seen many times between 62 and 65 commuting to and from Boeing with the car. After 1965 the car did the show circuit and an occasional street rod run. The car has been featured in many automobile, scientific and trade periodicals as well as Boeing&#8217;s 50<SUP>th</SUP> year brochure!
<O
For the last 20 odd years the car has been in Len&#8217;s garage gathering dust and recollecting the past. After more than 35 years together, Len made the decision to sell the car. With the exception of a new paint job, the car is exactly as assembled by Len over 3 decades ago.
<O
The chance was available for Mr. Lemay to purchase this colorful car when it was brought to Scottsdale Arizona by Stu McCleod. This car combines the fascination and mystique of turbine power with a true Hot Rod assembled in the fabulous fifties! The collectible value of turbine-powered autos was substantiated by the sale of the turbine-power Corvette which sold in excess of $500,000.00. The appreciation of this one of a kind car is limitless. Perhaps this is the most unique and valuable Hot Rod in the world today!
<O
Owned by Harold and Nancy Lemay, <ST1Parkland</ST1 Washington <st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1USA</ST1</st1:country-region>."

Doug.

 

That looks like a bad Photoshop job to me...

 

No, it's gotta be real. There's a sign that says "The Speed Shop" right in it.

Just like LeMay had a placquard that said his roadster was previously owned by Preston Jr.

 

I think they are saying the roadster was added to the pic, which the roadster does look a but funky outline wise

 

that picture does look "funky" but If its been altered it was not by me. heres another

 

Look at the top line of the windshield frame; it's going 'downhill' toward the passenger side, indicating the shot was taken from a lower point than the rest of the photo.

The original photo appears to have been shot from 6 feet altitude, say...(photog standing) whereas the roadster was shot from squatting or prone position.

But...the roadster was cleverly removed from its place in line, next to the chopped pickup...

So it would be carelessly be referred to as a "good shooting". (hear that a lot here at the local P.D.)

 

I was playing dumb. In real life I can tell a bad Photoshop from a mile away. I think the "artist" meant it as a joke also.

Now, everyone, has anybody ever seen Preston Tucker's roadster? Not the rebuilt turbine version. Does there exist anywhere a photo of it in the original hotrod guise?