The Tucker 48 remains an enduring symbol of automotive innovation and ambition, especially considering only 51 models were ever produced. The example showcased here, remarkably, is the second to last one ever built, a testament to the Tucker Corporation’s brief but impactful history. Born in the aftermath of World War II, a period where automotive giants like Ford, Chevrolet, and General Motors were still repurposing their wartime resources and not releasing fresh designs, the landscape was ripe for newcomers. Preston Tucker seized this opportunity, establishing the Tucker Car Corporation in the mid-1940s with a bold vision: to usher in a new era of automobiles.
Public anticipation for the Tucker sedan was ignited by initial design sketches of the Tucker 48, unveiled in the December 1946 issue of Science Illustrated. Alongside these sketches was a photograph of a 1/8 scale model, deceptively enlarged to appear full-size. Even in this nascent form, the promise of the Tucker 48 resonated deeply with the public. To transform this vision into reality with remarkable speed, Tucker assembled a team of distinguished designers and engineers, notably including Alex Tremulis, formerly of the Auburn Automobile Company.
Every single one of the 51 Tucker 48s was meticulously hand-built at Tucker’s Chicago factory, ready for eager buyers in the 1948 model year. However, despite the overwhelming public excitement and innovative design, the Tucker Car Corporation’s journey was tragically cut short. On March 3, 1949, merely two years after production commenced, the company permanently ceased operations. A highly publicized investigation by the SEC in 1948, alleging stock fraud, cast a dark shadow over the Tucker Corporation. Although the company was ultimately acquitted shortly after the investigation began, the extensive negative publicity irrevocably damaged investor confidence, leading to the company’s demise.
The Tucker 48, often hailed by Preston Tucker himself as the “car of tomorrow,” was genuinely a technological marvel for its time. It pioneered numerous groundbreaking safety features previously unseen in automobiles. These included a revolutionary windshield engineered to pop out entirely upon impact, preventing shattering and minimizing passenger injury, and a spacious area instead of a traditional dashboard, designed as a safe haven where passengers could take cover during a collision.
The specific Tucker 48 chassis featured in this article possesses a unique history. Factory records and inventories taken just before the closure indicate that this particular car left the Chicago plant without a transmission. It was subsequently sold at auction in 1950 to a collector based in St. Louis, who then equipped it with a transmission in the early 1950s. While the metallic bronze exterior paint reflects a later aesthetic restoration, key elements like the interior broadcloth, dashboard switchgear, and door handles sourced from Kaiser are believed to be original 1948 components, preserving the car’s authentic character.
Specifications
Lights: Sealed Beam Headlamps with Center Rotating “Cyclops Eye“
Engine: Rear-Mounted, Air-Cooled Flat-6 (horizontally opposed)
Displacement: 335 cu. in./5.48 L
Horsepower: 166 hp @ 3200 RPM
Torque: 372 ft/lbs @ 2000 RPM
Top Speed: 120 MPH
Weight: 4200 lbs.
Transmission: Tucker “Y-1” 4-speed pre-selector
