Tucker History

An Open Letter from Preston Tucker

This letter appeared in many newspapers in the United States on June 15, 1948. It was an “open letter to the automobile industry in the interests of the American motorist.”

Click here to read the letter.

Tucker Movie Scene-by-Scene Facts

“This article was written by TACA member Larry Clark. Larry spent many years researching Preston Tucker and The Tucker Corporation. This article is just one of a series of articles he wrote for Tucker Topics, the newsletter of TACA. Larry’s scene-by-scene comments are an unbiased aide for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the movie, “TUCKER: The Man and His Dream.”
Click here to see the article.

The Tucker Tribune

Click Here for the Tucker Tribune Archives

Fact Sheet

  1. This “Car of Tomorrow” was the vision of Preston Thomas Tucker (1903-1956) of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
  2. 51 were built, of which 47 survive now (and many are on display to the public)
  3. This fastback sedan was styled by Alex S. Tremulis.
  4. The car was put together by chief mechanic John Eddie Offutt, who had worked with Tucker and Harry Miller at Indy. Offutt’s cars won twice at Indy.
  5. The car is called the “Tucker ’48” (for its model year). It was only called the “Tucker Torpedo” as it was being designed and promoted. Therefore, no Tucker Torpedos were ever built.
  6. The Tucker ’48 was designed in Michigan and built in Chicago in a vast factory that is now the site of the “Ford City Mall” on Cicero Avenue.
  7. The Tucker ’48 pioneered automotive features and ideas that became standard later.
  8. The Tucker story is the subject of the 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” by Francis Ford Coppola.

Tucker 48 Specifications and Features

  1. Engine: H-6 (horizontally opposed), ohv, 335 ci (4.50 x 3.50 in. bore x stroke), 7.0:1. compression ratio, 166 bhp, 372 lbs/ft torque.
  2. 4-wheel independent Torsilastic suspension.
  3. 4-speed manual, electronic pre-select transmission.
  4. Pop-out safety glass windshield.
  5. Padded dash and doors.
  6. The upper doors are cut into the roof line.
  7. 6-volt positive ground electrical system.
  8. Dimensions: 128″ wheelbase, 219″ overall length, 60″ height, 79″ width, 4200 pounds.
  9. Performance: 0-60 in 10 seconds, est. top speed 120 mph.
  10. Original (projected) Price: $2450.
  11. Current value: from about $1,000,000 on up (Tucker #1043 sold at a Barrett Jackson auction for $2,915,000).

Preston Tucker’s Other Work

  1. Preston Tucker worked with the legendary Harry Miller on Indianapolis 500 race cars during the 1930s.
  2. The “Tucker Turret,” Tucker’s turret gun, was evaluated by the U.S. Army.
  3. Tucker’s prototype combat car, an armored personnel carrier, was rejected because it went too fast.
  4. The Talisman was a planned sportier version of the Tucker ’48.
  5. The Carioca was a sports car planned to be built in Brazil. Preston Tucker was working on the Carioca project when he died.