Filed under: Time Warp, Auction Action
eBay Find of the Day: 1948 Tucker #46
click above image for a gallery of gorgeous Tucker pics
This almost never happens. One of the 51 Tuckers ever made is about to close its bidding on eBay. At $200,000, we did't think any Tucker would go so cheaply, but this one is a bit different. As the description points out, this particular Torpedo is number 46 out of the 51 ever made. It has a genuine Tucker steel body from the factory, but since 1964 it has been using running gear from a 1964 Mercury Monterey Parklane. This Tucker now has a 390 engine, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and even air conditioning. While certainly less valuable than a completely original car, it's probably easier to maintain and more enjoyable to drive. Looks like it will be hella cheaper too, so maybe some industrious soul will find a way to reunite the car with a more appropriate drivetrain in the future.
Thanks for the tip, Mike!
[Source: eBay]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim P. 8:05PM (8/20/2007)
Preston Tucker was a true auto pioneer who was ahead of his time. Too bad he got squashed by the big 3. His cars were far superior to what the big 3 were offering.
Reply
Dausman 8:08PM (8/20/2007)
Tucker was 60 years ahead of his time.
Way ahead of the the big Detroit mega ??"3" that continued to build the unsafe crap they decided the public needed until the foreign influence and quality finally forced them to build cars the public wanted.....they and corrupt politicians of that time buried Tucker and his auto.
Reply
Barney 9:05PM (8/20/2007)
A ruined Tucker. That's sacrilege! $200,000 for a car with 1964 running gear from a Ford. That money can be spent on a stock collectable.
Reply
Dave 9:52PM (8/20/2007)
Very cool car. But you folks need to take the Tucker movie with a grain of salt.
This car didn't need a conspiracy to sink it.
Look at its design and features - this car would have cost a fortune to mass produce compared to its relatively simple competition.
Thirty years after this car was built, it was still impossible to convince Americans that they should wear seatbelts, let alone pay extra for safety features such as airbags.
Reply
mr.ed 9:55PM (8/20/2007)
The original engine was from a helicopter. Overhauling it would have broken the average owner. The 390's a beter choice, but changing the little hose above the water pump is a bitch.
Reply
Barney 9:06AM (8/21/2007)
The Franklin engine was not from a helicopter. It ended up in helicopters and still being used today. The air cooled engine began life in Franklin cars.
mr.ed 7:06PM (8/21/2007)
Thanks. My memory not as good as yours. What is the Franklin still used in?
nward 8:29AM (8/21/2007)
I sent you guys a tip on this at least a week ago.
Reply
Richard 5:49PM (8/23/2007)
Hah, not hard to see why only 50 of these were made!
Reply
Larry Cresci 3:12PM (1/17/2009)
The big Three did crush The brilliant Tucker Torpedo. Engine was air cooled helicopter engine, made water cooled by the Tucker team. The price was $2,495.00. A nationwide network of dealers was already in place. The engine and transmission could be removed & a "loaner" engine-trannie Installed in 30 minutes, by the dealer. The big 3 had the gov. take away his factory.
salguod 11:56PM (8/23/2007)
Read the Q& on the eBay page. This Tucker never had that air cooled engine, it was originally built with an Olds drivetrain. It was the only one built that way. So, yes, it has been altered, but it was never the same as the rest anyway.
Reply