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- "Design and Structural Features of the Tucker," October 1947 - Preston Tucker previewed his all-new Tucker 48 sedan with a massive marketing campaign. Articles and advertisements heralded the car's many features said to improve performance, safety, and economy. Some of these claims were premature. The hydraulic torque-converter transmission and disc brakes described in this article, for example, never actually made it into Tucker's production cars.
- October 01, 1947
- Collections - Artifact
"Design and Structural Features of the Tucker," October 1947
Preston Tucker previewed his all-new Tucker 48 sedan with a massive marketing campaign. Articles and advertisements heralded the car's many features said to improve performance, safety, and economy. Some of these claims were premature. The hydraulic torque-converter transmission and disc brakes described in this article, for example, never actually made it into Tucker's production cars.
- View of a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, with Press Release on Preston Tucker's Award from the Museum of Science and Industry - After unveiling his prototype Tucker 48 in June 1947, Preston Tucker took the car on a nationwide publicity tour. At New York's Museum of Science and Industry, thousands of visitors paid 48 cents each for a chance to view the car. Thousands more saw the prototype in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other American cities.
- circa 1948
- Collections - Artifact
View of a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, with Press Release on Preston Tucker's Award from the Museum of Science and Industry
After unveiling his prototype Tucker 48 in June 1947, Preston Tucker took the car on a nationwide publicity tour. At New York's Museum of Science and Industry, thousands of visitors paid 48 cents each for a chance to view the car. Thousands more saw the prototype in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other American cities.
- Side View of a 1948 Tucker Sedan - Preston Tucker's futuristic Tucker 48 was unlike anything else on the road in the late 1940s. The final body design was by Alex Tremulis who, in a long career, also produced designs for Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, American Bantam, Packard, Ford, and others. Tucker hallmarks included its three headlights, rear fender vents (for the rear-mounted engine), and doors cutting into the roof.
- June 23, 1947
- Collections - Artifact
Side View of a 1948 Tucker Sedan
Preston Tucker's futuristic Tucker 48 was unlike anything else on the road in the late 1940s. The final body design was by Alex Tremulis who, in a long career, also produced designs for Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, American Bantam, Packard, Ford, and others. Tucker hallmarks included its three headlights, rear fender vents (for the rear-mounted engine), and doors cutting into the roof.
- Back View of a 1948 Tucker Sedan - Preston Tucker's futuristic Tucker 48 was unlike anything else on the road in the late 1940s. The final body design was by Alex Tremulis who, in a long career, also produced designs for Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, American Bantam, Packard, Ford, and others. Tucker hallmarks included its three headlights, rear fender vents (for the rear-mounted engine), and doors cutting into the roof.
- June 23, 1947
- Collections - Artifact
Back View of a 1948 Tucker Sedan
Preston Tucker's futuristic Tucker 48 was unlike anything else on the road in the late 1940s. The final body design was by Alex Tremulis who, in a long career, also produced designs for Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, American Bantam, Packard, Ford, and others. Tucker hallmarks included its three headlights, rear fender vents (for the rear-mounted engine), and doors cutting into the roof.
- Stock Certificate, "One Hundred Shares of Tucker Corporation Class A Common Shares," 1948 - It was a seller's market for automakers after World War II, and Preston Tucker used the opportunity to launch his sleek, rear-engine Tucker 48. He raised over $20 million selling stock, dealer franchises and accessories for his cars, but ran afoul of the law in the process. Charged with fraud, Tucker was found not guilty after a lengthy trial.
- May 04, 1948
- Collections - Artifact
Stock Certificate, "One Hundred Shares of Tucker Corporation Class A Common Shares," 1948
It was a seller's market for automakers after World War II, and Preston Tucker used the opportunity to launch his sleek, rear-engine Tucker 48. He raised over $20 million selling stock, dealer franchises and accessories for his cars, but ran afoul of the law in the process. Charged with fraud, Tucker was found not guilty after a lengthy trial.
- Car Radio for 1948 Tucker Automobile - Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. This Tucker-branded radio could be purchased prior to owning the car. Many radios were sold but only 51 cars were built.
- 1947
- Collections - Artifact
Car Radio for 1948 Tucker Automobile
Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. This Tucker-branded radio could be purchased prior to owning the car. Many radios were sold but only 51 cars were built.
- 1948 Tucker 48 Sedan - Swooping fenders and six exhaust pipes make the Tucker look like a rocket ship. But Preston Tucker's car mixes fantasy with practicality. The center light turns with the front wheels to cast light around corners. Taillights are visible from the side for safety. Doors curve into the roof for easier entry and exit, while grilles on the rear fenders feed cooling air to the rear-mounted engine.
- 1948
- Collections - Artifact
1948 Tucker 48 Sedan
Swooping fenders and six exhaust pipes make the Tucker look like a rocket ship. But Preston Tucker's car mixes fantasy with practicality. The center light turns with the front wheels to cast light around corners. Taillights are visible from the side for safety. Doors curve into the roof for easier entry and exit, while grilles on the rear fenders feed cooling air to the rear-mounted engine.
- Driver Controls, 1948 Tucker Sedan in Henry Ford Museum, December 1964 - The Tucker 48's driver controls were underdeveloped compared with the car's exciting exterior. The steering wheel, in fact, was secondhand. Ford Motor Company supplied Tucker with steering wheels from its Lincoln Zephyr line. That cooperative gesture seemingly undercut the argument that Detroit's Big Three -- or Ford, at least -- were out to destroy Tucker.
- December 22, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Driver Controls, 1948 Tucker Sedan in Henry Ford Museum, December 1964
The Tucker 48's driver controls were underdeveloped compared with the car's exciting exterior. The steering wheel, in fact, was secondhand. Ford Motor Company supplied Tucker with steering wheels from its Lincoln Zephyr line. That cooperative gesture seemingly undercut the argument that Detroit's Big Three -- or Ford, at least -- were out to destroy Tucker.
- 1948 Tucker Sedan inside Pettit's Museum of Motoring Memories, Natural Bridge, Virginia, December 1961 - In this 1961 photo, Tucker 48 number 1003 is seen as it appeared while on display at Pettit's Museum of Motoring Memories in Natural Bridge, Virginia. Only 51 Tuckers were built -- one prototype and 50 production cars -- between 1947 and 1950, when the company closed. Of those cars, 47 survive today.
- December 01, 1961
- Collections - Artifact
1948 Tucker Sedan inside Pettit's Museum of Motoring Memories, Natural Bridge, Virginia, December 1961
In this 1961 photo, Tucker 48 number 1003 is seen as it appeared while on display at Pettit's Museum of Motoring Memories in Natural Bridge, Virginia. Only 51 Tuckers were built -- one prototype and 50 production cars -- between 1947 and 1950, when the company closed. Of those cars, 47 survive today.
- "Mechanix Illustrated Drives and Tests the New Tucker," 1948 - Automotive journalist Tom McCahill wrote glowingly of the Tucker 48 in the August 1948 issue of <EM>Mechanix Illustrated</EM>. McCahill praised the car's smooth ride, quick acceleration, and roomy interior. It was a welcome bit of good news for the Tucker Corporation, which was facing increasing financial and legal troubles. Tucker closed in 1950 after building just 51 cars.
- August 01, 1948
- Collections - Artifact
"Mechanix Illustrated Drives and Tests the New Tucker," 1948
Automotive journalist Tom McCahill wrote glowingly of the Tucker 48 in the August 1948 issue of Mechanix Illustrated. McCahill praised the car's smooth ride, quick acceleration, and roomy interior. It was a welcome bit of good news for the Tucker Corporation, which was facing increasing financial and legal troubles. Tucker closed in 1950 after building just 51 cars.