1948 Tucker "Torpedo" four-door sedan - Only 51 made - Click on photo for much more info.. photo - Ken Leonard photos at pbase.com

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Ken Leonard | all galleries >> Classic Car Galleries (7 volumes) >> Classic Car Gallery #7 > 1948 Tucker "Torpedo" four-door sedan - Only 51 made - Click on photo for much more info..

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1948 Tucker "Torpedo" four-door sedan - Only 51 made - Click on photo for much more info..

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Copyright 2007-2010 Ken Leonard, all rights reserved

Ron		09-Feb-2012 15:06
I just want to post that Chick DeLorenzo the owner of # 51 Tucker passed away 1/04/12 he will be missed

Kenny McNeal		23-Jan-2012 04:15
THERE WAS ACTUALLY 58 BODIES MADE AT THE FACTORY. There were 36 finished before the factory was closed down, 14 finished after ther factory closed down and 51 finnished in the late 80's, number 52 being finnished presently and number 57(the convertible)finnished in 2010. The convertible started out as the only car pulled out of the assembly line by Alex Tremulis to become the only 1949 Prototype that their ever was, that was to have the "wrap around rear window" similar to the Corvette coupe. It was also to have different front fenders, of which no one knows what they were to look like. The car later was converted to a convertible, some say at the factory and some say after, even though some old timers who worked at the factory said they saw the convertible there. Others have said not and have tried to build their own argument. Time will prove who is right, but in the end, the convertible is still a real Tucker and the only 1949 Prototype, whether convertible or not. But again, there were 58 bodies made with stamped factory numbers on all their cowls. Hope this helps.

Rodney Dreiver		21-Nov-2011 23:54
I gree about the Tucker convertible being accepted in time and it is only a matter of time. It will in time, be venerated more than any of the other Tuckers that exist, in the future....if for no other reason that was the only 1949 Tucker prototype that ever existed with the big rear curved window. Nome of the other Tuckers ever had that model change to their credit. Being made into a convertible only makes it more interesting, whether at the plant or after. The convertible part only adds to the ambiance!!

Guest		17-Nov-2011 23:49
Just love the Tucker story. Always liked stories where the underdog eventually wins. Alot like Tucker convertible! In time, it will take on it's own provinance. People like Preston Tucker are at first derided, ridiculed and chastised and then something magical happens....they are embraced and lauded for the great insight they had. From there they shoot up to iconic, savant status! It's the great American way!

Bill Moore		20-Aug-2011 18:43
TUCKER SPOTTING I was traveling through Oregon buying cars around 1979 and stopped along a country road to look at a Chevy Suburban for sale. The old boy that owned asked us if we liked old cars? Sure we said, and he took us into his barn. There sat a Tucker. The only live one I've seen in my life. I should have gotten a picture but alas, no camera. I have no idea who this guy was or what happened to the Tucker since, but I'll never forget it.

Brittany		02-Mar-2011 16:04
i need to know more about the tucker and the production, the loans and the contracts that was witten to mass produce the tucker.

BARBARA		04-Jul-2010 13:45
IHAVEAMODLEOFA48TUCKERISITWORTHANYTHING? BARBFREDERICK,MD.

allan		09-May-2010 01:36
this just gose to show that the worlds safest car for its time can be built and if the government dont like it they will do any to get rid of it and it ends up screwing us in the long run

carl		20-Apr-2010 03:44
my friend ron huffman showed me a book written by a local man here in northeast ohio that details the local stock car racing history............i wonder if tucker club members were aware that one tucker was raced back in the 1950s..............and i wonder what became of that tucker.............

Mark		12-Jan-2010 02:25
surrounds the circumstances that prevented the Tucker from reaching mass production. It is no secret that Detroit's Big Three felt threatened by this innovative new car at a time when a post war Seller's Market fueled by the public's pent up demand for new cars meant they could continue to sell pre-war models at inflated prices without having to invest new capital for two to three years. Some believe it was their behind the scenes influence and promtion of adverse publicity that resulted in the probe by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Tucker's issuance of 15 million dollars in stock to secure financing for the production of his car. In the resulting trial, Tucker and seven associates were acquitted of 31 counts of conspiracy in securities and mail fraud. But by then it was January, 1950, and public confidence and support had long since vanished. Ironically, Tucker Corporation still had the funding to proceed with production, but Preston Tucker was a disheartened man, and with the public support

Daryl		17-Dec-2009 21:15
I think the Tucker was a good looking car, and it was way ahead of its time. Because the US of A federal goverment didnt listen, the big 3 didnt care about safety back they and Preston Tucker did thats why he put seat belts and a padded dash in his cars. MY HATS OFF TO PRESTON FOR MAKING A WONDERFUL AUTOMOBILE.

Ken Leonard		09-Dec-2009 04:50
I understand there are about 48 left of the original 51. Ken

tom		09-Dec-2009 02:37
how many are left

Sam McMurray		30-Nov-2009 18:12
I am doing a history fair report on the Tucker Torpedo and would like to be informed of anything that occured with Preston and his vehicle... please email me at smcmurray808@maine207west.org... plz help...

DIANA UZZELL		21-Sep-2009 04:15
My grandfather owned a Tucker in Chicago....I just saw one on autotraderclassic.com for sale 5,000,000....I think I'm gona be sick! ;-)

trevor		16-Sep-2009 11:38
it is ugly

Rocket Don		15-Aug-2009 16:17
Guest, The first Tucker I saw was at a Tucker promo show at the Pan-Pacific in Los Angeles when Tucker was signing up dealers. A dealer in Glendale bought a franchise and had a showroom but never got a car. The turning center headlight concept was never approved by the state highway bureaucrats, however the bullet nosed Studebaker was designed for it as was the '49 Ford. After retirement, the automotive writer for Mechanics Illustrated (Tom McCahill ??) wrote an article admitting his part of the disinformation campaign by the big three to sink Tucker. The marriage that should have been was for Henry Kaiser to partner with Tucker instead of putting out his own bland old concept car. Kaiser had the production skills (wartime shipbuilding) and would not be bullied by the big three.

Dennis Crowe		17-Jul-2009 00:46
What colors where the Tucker's painted in 1948

curiousbystander		27-Apr-2009 01:27
I just bought a Franklin aluminum die cast 6 cylinder bare engine block for $10.00. I don't see how a water jacket could be fitted on it. Possibly this engine block was out of a helicopter or Stinson airplane. I don't see any cracks in the split type block. Seems the cylinders could have been any size as they bolt on individualy.

Justyn		31-Jan-2009 06:44
Now thats a Awsome car not somthing you would see every day. Is it true the head light in the middle spins when you turn or is it a mith.

Guest		17-Jan-2009 22:05
There is rumored to be a Tucker in Powhatan County, Virginia (west of Richmond).

Tom		11-Dec-2008 19:29
There is a known Tucker in Brazil #1035 and yes it is Black

Chris		13-Sep-2008 18:38
I need to know if there are reports of any Tuckers that are not accounted for or lost. I have found someone in South America that claims to have found a Tucker in an abandoned barn. I asked them to send me a photo and it is in fact a Tucker and its very rusty (black model). I was thinking of flying down and having it shipped to the USA but before I went crazy I wanted to make sure that all 50 plus the 1 prototype had been accounted for before flying down to South America in case this might be a scam or something.

Guest		09-Aug-2008 11:26
Some of the features of Mr. Tucker's automobiles are still lost on American manufacturers 60 years later. Their answer to the Cyclops headlight is putting what is for all intents and purposes a back up light on the front fenders that come on when the turn signals are used. This still leaves an area that is not lit in the direction the car is turning.

Olivia		22-May-2008 23:39
Never heard of that particular model, but looks likle a great car.

fotabug		22-May-2008 05:33
I remember the Tucker. Quite a car! And this is a great shot of one. Thanks for sharing.

justme		21-May-2008 22:48
In my opinion, the United States Government and "The Big Three" car manufacturers of the time, should have gone on trial right after the verdict was read not guilty for the Tucker Corporation. It just goes to show you that when you mess with government interests, be it good or bad, the government of the United States will always win, even if it is against the law. From my limited education and information, I cannot really judge who was wrong. Perhaps some to most of us felt for the movie version of Tuckers trial, but one thing is for sure; the Tucker Automobile was and is still innovative. We could all vote on it but all the elections anymore are tainted by lobbyists and special interest groups. By the way, voting, in my opinion, is just entertainment for the people who still believe that is does any good. The next President of the United States has already been determined and they will let us know who it is ,later this year.

Guest		21-Apr-2008 05:37
I am writing a paper based on Preston Tucker and the Torpedo from an economic standpoint. I am so interested in learning more about this story. It is amazing to see the political power that big corporations have. I applaud Preston Tucker for his innovative new idea, and could only wish to have seen what his company could have accomplished. WOW

RdRunner		11-Mar-2008 20:32
the last tucker I seen for sale went for around 3 million but ive seen them go for allot less

kirby		26-Feb-2008 05:24
what is a Tucker worth? Thanks, Kirby

Guest		26-Feb-2008 02:37
Cheers from downunder. The financial aspect kind of puts tucker into the same bucket as the De lorian... PZL in Poland have got the licences for Franklin aero engines, which might be useful if anyone needs to re-build a tucker engine. I've got a Citroen DS with european spec steerable headlights (version not sold in the US due to fedral regs) One doesn't notice the lights turning at normal speeds, just that you can see where you're going.

Sean Tucker		09-Feb-2008 01:32
yaeh us Tucker's know how to make some sweet stuff PS: the Tucker will be back some day it's a famely thing I'm working on it now but shhhh!

capt. jag.		03-Feb-2008 05:48
I collect auction catalogs that have tuckers in the auction, a couple that I need are "the auction" in las vegas in 1993 or 1994 and the "gary bennett investor auto auction" in tulsa oaklahoma in 1989 & 1990. or any other one's that any one wants to sell!!! contact me at ebalazs@buckeye-express.com Thanks.

Zach		29-Jan-2008 15:09
For the People that want to know I did find out that Pat Dunn Owned "TUCKER" at one time but that was back in I think 1960 now he probably is dead and the Name is probably floating around while no body owns it.

Steve G		28-Jan-2008 04:11
I find this Tucker history interesting as I finally saw the movie. I know Hollywood loves to depict the government and corporations as the bad guy, so I wondered about the accuracy of the movie. On-line research seems to at least suggest that while Tucker was a genius, an innovator and a brilliant salesman, his actual business behavior in producing the 50 cars and the money he collected was suspect at best, despite the predictable victim status in the movie. Does anyone have any real fact on this?

Matt		03-Jan-2008 17:28
Zach 28-Aug-2007 02:00 "Steve learn to spell and complete sentences and that Tucker you seen is not a Tucker because they are all owned by a private group of people and are all accounted for. The last I knew 51 tuckers were built but 49 are registered and #50 is not actually an true Tucker because it was made out of spare parts that were left over. Good luck with that 390 v8 Tucker" Oh the irony this post. Don't flame someone for spelling when your own grammar is horrible. He was writing in complete sentences.

Tuckeroo		30-Nov-2007 18:45
The above car is #1019, privately owned and on loan to the museum in San Diego. The Gast car was #1024 and has since been sold to a museum in Nebraska.

Ken Leonard		21-Oct-2007 02:11
Not sure about it's home origine but the photo was taken at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. The car was on loan as I recall. Ken

Guest		20-Oct-2007 22:08
Is the car (blue)the one from gast classics in pa?

Zach		19-Oct-2007 00:12
I have not yet found what I have been looking for Please if I can get any help it will be greatly appreciated I am looking for information on who owns the Tucker Rights I have done some designing and major thinking and I would like to own not only the Name Tucker but also add a new design of the beauty to the car market I have money and I need to spend it please email me with any info thanks zach zas2271987@charter.net

Tuckeroo		28-Sep-2007 19:52
This will probably bear further research on my part, but for now here they are: 1) perimeter frame (all vehicle occupants sat within frame, also designed to deflect impact front and rear) 2)pop-out windshield, 3)cyclops eye (steerable headlight), 4)steel bulkheads front and rear, 5)"crash compartment" (untested; required occupant to react to impending collision by "diving" under the dash panel), 6)kingpins located at wheel center (prevented "pull" in the event of a blown tire), 7)64"/65" F/R wheel track (wider for improved handling), 8)frame below wheel centerline (lower center of gravity, improved handling), 9) rear engine (weight bias improved steering and braking, rear placement would prevent injury of occupants in collision), 10)four-wheel independent suspension improved handling, 11)recessed instrumentation and controls would not injure occupants in collision, 12)padded dash panel. Note that this list may not be complete, however, contrary to what some believe, the Tucker did not feature the intended disc brakes, nor was it intended to have seat belts.

aaron		27-Sep-2007 17:00
i was wondering if any of you know how many safety features are in the tucker??

Tuckeroo		26-Sep-2007 20:53
The original Tucker engine was a water-cooled 335cid (5.5 liter) horizonital opposed six derived from the air-cooled engine used in war-time Bell Helicopters. No need for violence, the 390 V8 Tucker is number 1046 and was customized in the fifties long before the value of an original/restored Tucker was realized. The owner who customized it had at least seven Tuckers and needed a practical daily driver for his daughter and had an Oldsmobile V8 installed to make it more easily servicable (the next owner switched the body off onto a 1964 Mercury wagon frame, which it is on today with the 390 engine, Mercury steering wheel, etc.) Something like this would be sacriledge today, but it was essentially an effort to salvage the Tucker body at a time when parts couldn't be tracked down so easily. Someone with enough money and initiative might have a replica frame fabricated and new-old stock parts used to restore it, but until then we can be thankful that at least the entire car was not destroyed. I've taken a ride in it and it is a complete car, so there is potential there.

Nic		26-Sep-2007 15:34
What kind of engine was in the Tucker?

Zach		28-Aug-2007 02:00
Steve learn to spell and complete sentences and that Tucker you seen is not a Tucker because they are all owned by a private group of people and are all accounted for. The last I knew 51 tuckers were built but 49 are registered and #50 is not actually an true Tucker because it was made out of spare parts that were left over. Good luck with that 390 v8 Tucker

Steve		19-Aug-2007 09:49
i'm only 16 years old an I love old cars. Tucker is my favorite car of all times. i love the body style of these cars so much. just the other day i was on ebay an say a tucker on there that a guy but a 390 v8 in the front of the car with a mercury dash an sterring wheel!!! if i ever see that guy i would shot him personaly. well i just wanted to say nice pics of the greastest car in the world.

Zach		07-Aug-2007 20:07
Hi to all tucker fans. I have been following the Tucker for a year or two trying to gather more info about Preston Tucker him self and the Name "Tucker". My main thing im looking for is his name. I want to know if its for sale and where I would find this out. I have always wanted to recreate a master piece and finish what he never got to do. Any info regarding this messeage please feel free to email me at zas2271987@charter.net I greatly appreciate any help and information thanks Zach

Guest		17-Jul-2007 16:13
One of the best looking cars after WWII. One must wonder were the automobile industry would be today if Tucker was alowed to produce his cars. Mac

Don		01-Jul-2007 23:12
The Tucker Torpedo was a 2 door that was never built. All Tuckers were Tucker 48's

jorge vasconcelos		25-May-2007 02:06
Nice picture of car with a so short story jorge

Guest		07-Apr-2007 11:24
You need to see the Tucker movie. Russ

Matthew Cutler		20-Mar-2007 14:35
Actually Mr. mcafee, only the center headlamp turns, i know this , because i recently was a part of a team that restored number 1003 in nashville tn. i did the body work, and let me tell you the front fenders are no joke to have to restore, but when done right it gives one a sense of pride to see them done, i dont think that there is a harder panel on any car that has ever been made. The torpedo has to be one of the most majestic cars ive ever done.

oswald		05-Feb-2007 07:06
Buying our cars from our former enemies , Thank god Preston didn,t lived to see his nightmare come true , everybody in America seems to be in love with Toyota , Honda , Mercedes , If they have left Preston alone , I bet today that would be the biggest car maker in the world . I have always admire the man and the dream too. I hope there is still a new Preston Tucker out there to save the pride of our car industry . This was indeed a car ahead of it,s time like nothing ever was .

Tucker Witte		07-Dec-2006 02:36
I am currently working on a school project on the Tucker 48. Just wanted to thank you for the info.

Ken Leonard		04-Sep-2006 03:06
I will keep the last comments up for now. However this is NO place to place politically charged comments. Thank you Ken

Howars Mcatee		04-Sep-2006 02:49
The Tucker Torpedo is one of the world class car built with rubber sprung suspention. Wow body style was called the rocket at the time and the most airodynamics. The 2 side cyclopes headlamp actually turn with the steering wich causes a perfect safe turn. Torpedo was unleashed in 1948 when built as a prototype. $50,000 was spent to build one prototype at the first time which was a loads of cash at the time. Beside of the financial problem, governments made a web of lies called fraud charges against Preston Tucker. One main lie of the fraud charge was that the Torpedoe was built of parts from the salvage yard. Even the Tucker Torpedoe factory was turned into the junkyard called pre-fabricated house factory. If government din't do this, we wount have to buy cars from our former enemies such as Mercedes from Iranian allies NAZI Germany OR AN $1,300,000 Bugatti from our betrayer, BITCHY FRANCE. Just almost everyone would buy the Tucker Torpedoe. GOVERNMENTS WHO DESTROYED PRESTON'S CAREER, I'm a sort of a joke maker SOOO!!!! JOKES ON YOU!!!!!!!!! BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!

W. AREHART		08-Aug-2006 19:42
The failing of the Tucker automobile goes to show how dishonest our government realy is, kicking the small man out with good ideas just to please companys with money. One question???? What would happen today if Japan were to enter a auto of that kind to the industry ? Our fool government would most likely give them money to get started (tax payers money)and furnish them a building SO they can cut the American peoples throat. THATS OUR GOVERNMENT FOR YOU.

Daniel		05-Jun-2006 15:52
Hello i was wondering if you could tell me a little more about the tucker torpedo beacause im working on a school project and i need some more info on it thank you

Rick Johnson		04-Jul-2005 16:23
1948 Tucker "Torpedo" four-door sedan. On this fourth of July, I would like to recognize and pay tribute to a great American innovator, patriot, entrepreneur, automotive industry veteran, and foremost, a believer in " the American Dream", Preston Tucker. He was a man way ahead of his time, in many respects, and his ebullient personality opened doors to opportunities and made others believers in the process, even the ultra conservative "status quo" Henry Ford, who provided financial backing for Tucker to build race cars for the Indianapolis 500 in 1935. He also used his innovative talents to help his country by building a high-speed armored scout car for the military in 1937, and he developed and built the rotating bomb turrets used on American Bombers in World War II, like the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator. But probably what Preston Tucker will be remembered for was his Tucker automobile. Few people knew that Preston Tucker was a veteran of the automobile industry, with sales experience at Dodge, Studebaker, and others, when in 1948 he surprised the world with "The Most Completely New Car in Fifty Years". And unlike the Edsel, that a decade later was touting to do the same with "gimmicks, smoke and mirrors", the Tucker automobile really was all new. The four-door sedan with its torpedo-shaped fastback design, really looked futuristic to a car hungary America emerging from World War II. The car was designed by Alex Tremulis. It had a 128-inch wheelbase and was only 60 inches high......much lower than other automobiles of the time. Even more contrasting and unconventional was its all-independent suspension and rear-mounted flat-six engine. The engine was derived from a wartime air-cooled helicopter unit, and featured a fully sealed water cooling system, another first in the automotive industry. This all-alloy 335 cubic inch powerplant weighed just 320 pounds and developed 166 horsepower. The car's chassis was of a box-section perimeter type with a subframe at each end. Although the car weighed a hefty 4200 pounds, it could manage zero to sixty in about ten seconds, and attain a top speed of more than 120 miles per hour....not too shabby for a car of its size and weight. This was partially attributable to its aerodynamic styling that produced a drag coefficient factor of 0.30, still good even by today's standards. The rear-engine layout, all-independent suspension, and center-point steering made the Tucker automobile an easy handling, secure roadholding automobile. The Tucker was way ahead of its time in safety features as well. The windshield glass was designed to pop out harmlessly upon impact. The dash was padded, and front passengers had a "safety chamber" where they could "dive" in case of pending collision. Knobs, buttons, and levers were also recessed for added protection. Massive bumpers were designed to absorb impact. Other unique and innovative features included a central "Cyclops" headlight that turned with the front wheels. To ease passenger entry and exit, the doors were cut into the roof. The car had a large spacious cabin with "step-down" floor, and inter-changable front and rear seat cushions to even out upholstery "wear and tear". Sadly, production ended after only 50 cars and a "Tin Goose" prototype. These cars were all built before August 1948. The last 37 were built on a short assembly line in a wartime Dodge plant in Chicago. It's speculation at this point, but the car would probably have sold well, despite a projected Cadillac price of around $ 4,000. Controversy surrounds the circumstances that prevented the Tucker from reaching mass production. It is no secret that Detroit's Big Three felt threatened by this innovative new car at a time when a post war Seller's Market fueled by the public's pent up demand for new cars meant they could continue to sell pre-war models at inflated prices without having to invest new capital for two to three years. Some believe it was their behind the scenes influence and promtion of adverse publicity that resulted in the probe by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Tucker's issuance of 15 million dollars in stock to secure financing for the production of his car. In the resulting trial, Tucker and seven associates were acquitted of 31 counts of conspiracy in securities and mail fraud. But by then it was January, 1950, and public confidence and support had long since vanished. Ironically, Tucker Corporation still had the funding to proceed with production, but Preston Tucker was a disheartened man, and with the public support for his new car gone, the decision was made to auction everything off. Though broken by the experience, Tucker moved to Brazil, and was planning to build a two-seat kit sports car when he died in 1956. In a tribute to this man and his innovative automobile, 46 of the 51 Tuckers produced are still in existence today. Thanks to Ken for his photographs of this "Waltz Blue" Tucker. "Waltz blue" was Mrs. Tucker's favorite color and Preston Tucker chose this color personally in a special tribute to her. Ken, of all your great photographs in all of your galleries, I consider your photos and choice of angles to capture the essence of this magnificent Tucker automobile to be some of your very best work and clearly demonstrates your artistic genious.