Preston Tucker: 'The Man and His Dream'

Published: August 29, 2010

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Q: Greg, I really enjoy your Collector Car Corner and want your opinion of the Tucker as an automobile back n 1948. I think it would have succeeded had it been produced in mass numbers. G. Lang, e-mail from Washington.

A: G. Lang, I agree and if you haven't seen the movie "Tucker: The Man and His Dream," please make sure you rent it right away. Preston Trucker reportedly spent some $28-million trying to develop the car, most of it from investor stock sales and dealer franchise fees. To make a long story short, some irresponsible yellow journalism by the media, Securities and Exchange problems and alleged political pressure put on by GM, Ford and Chrysler probably halted what would have been a great car. In the end, Preston Tucker had to go to court to prove he was not a fake and fight fraud charges. A total of just 51 Tuckers were built at Tucker's South Side Chicago plant.

While on trial, Tucker gave a speech to the jurors on how capitalism in the United States was harmed by efforts of large corporations against small entrepreneurs. Outside the courtroom, he had his 50 Tuckers lined up for everyone to see. Although Tucker was acquitted on all charges, his company had already gone bankrupt and he succumbed to a heart attack in 1956. His 1948 Tuckers would go on in the annuals of history as one of the most controversial and many feel best new cars ever produced at that time.

Loaded with ingenuity, Tucker powered his car via a water cooled Franklin helicopter 6-cylinder engine located sideways in the rear and displacing 334 cubic inches. An original Tucker built 589 cubic inch opposed 6-cylinder engine was dropped in favor of the 334. The interior was extremely roomy, underneath was a four wheel independent suspension, and the steering box was behind the front axle to protect the driver in a front-end accident. Furthermore, seat belts were utilized for the first time on all Tuckers.

Tucker also offered a padded dash and windshield designed to pop-out in a collision to protect occupants. During a test at Indianapolis Speedway, a Tucker experienced a blown tire and flipped over and the windshield indeed popped out. The car then drove away under its' own power.

Including the prototype, only 51 cars were produced and collectors know the whereabouts of the remaining original Tuckers. Not surprisingly, 47 of the 51 are accounted for and fetch over $1-million at auctions.

In closing, if you want all the info, rent the 1988 "Tucker" movie tonight, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Jeff Bridges. I guarantee you'll enjoy it.

(Greg Zyla welcomes reader inquiries on anything automotive, especially collector cars. Reach him at extramile_2000@yahoo.com or write him at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa., 18840.)

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