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Topic starter
20/10/2023 1:22 pm
Preston Tucker's vision for the Tucker 48 was car brimming with innovations and yet easily affordable with a wildly optimistic MSRP of $1000 (actual MSRP=$4000). Early on, many of the ideas were scrapped due to development and production costs. The in-house developed 200hp air-cooled 569 cid flat six produced a whopping 450 lb ft of torque. That was abandoned with only 5 engines built with one installed in the prototype "Tin Goose". For the production models, a 166 hp air-cooled flat six that was designed for the early Bell helicopters were purchased and for unexplained reasons were converted to water cooled. Already in financial hot water, the 50 production models were again simplified to cut costs with actual profits augmented by selling dealerships and advance sales of accessories (including fitted luggage seen on the blue FM production car). Getting hammered from all sides, including the Big 3 and the SEC, Tucker Motors folded into bankruptcy.
The Danbury Mint "Tin Goose" prototype is beautifully replicated and the production Franklin Mint is unfortunately old tech, but looks well enough to allow side by side comparisons to the dream vs the reality.
20/10/2023 2:34 pm
Rich; Great photos and nice history lesson. Thanks
20/10/2023 3:44 pm
It looks fantastic as a real automobile and as a 1/24 replica ! I have a Yat Ming 1/18 edition in that great blue color.
Charles Rockett and Tony Perrone reacted
20/10/2023 3:51 pm
Great photographs as always. Is that a gear selector we see on the console, left of the steering wheel? I've never seen this. Sadly I have never warmed to the U.S.' post-war independents; perhaps my view is shaped by big three 'conservatism', (though I do have a 1/43 Tucker).
Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
20/10/2023 4:14 pm
@charles-rockett I went quite the opposite. As a kid, I was fascinated by the Kaiser, Nash, Studebaker and the other 'orphans' bodies, especially in those postwar years. I thought they were the future.
Charles Rockett reacted
20/10/2023 4:35 pm
@rich-sufficool They very probably were the future had it not been for the muscle of the big three. That's why I question the grounds of my taste in the matter, though I think it is just Tucker, Kaiser and Frazer, I need to give consideration to.
20/10/2023 5:51 pm
An outstanding car. I really love the whole story of the Tucker. They are often featured prominently here in Ypsilanti, and I have had opportunities to see 10 of these great cars in person. Truly unique. As far as models, I have the two you featured here as well as all the colors FM issued. In 1:43 scale, I have 20 of them in various colors. Love it, love it, love it!
Great story and photos. thank for this feature.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Tony Perrone and Rich Sufficool reacted
Topic starter
21/10/2023 9:45 am
@jcarnutz My problem with this post was how to condense this epic story that has all the hallmarks of a major motion picture. (Oh, yeah, it was. LOL)
Tony Perrone reacted