Early-50s NASCAR Tucker Torpedo photo surfaces
When you think of the early days of NASCAR, brands like Oldsmobile, Hudson and Chrysler come to mind. What you don't usually think of is Tucker. In fact Tucker usually isn't associated with motorsports at all. With only 51 examples of the Tucker Torpedo having been completed before the lights were switched off, racing probably wasn't top of mind for owners of the time. Apparently, a Tucker did hit the roundy-round circuit, at least for one race. A reader over at Hemmings has turned up a photo of a Tucker at a race in Ohio in 1950. NASCAR records from the time indicate that the car was classified last with zero laps complete. It's not known if the car crashed on the first lap or simply didn't start. Either way, it appears this may have been its one and only appearance.
[Source: Hemmings]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
studemax 12:09PM (12/28/2008)
My guess is the rear engine didn't lend itself to hanging out the back end on those long turns - either on dirt or pavement. And overall, it probably wouldn't have done that well on a road course - too heavy for a sporty car.
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Avinash machado 12:11PM (12/28/2008)
Tuckers seems to have been the Tesla of the 1940's and 50's.
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Randy 2:33PM (12/29/2008)
flip that observation to "Tesla seems to be today's version of Tucker"
Also... I see no similarities! Sorry!
phoenix 12:23PM (12/28/2008)
Thanks for posting this. I love the reminders of when NASCAR really was cool, long before the huge media circus it is today...
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epicMING7777 2:25PM (12/28/2008)
it just how our world is isn't it. huge media circus.
ArcticOne 1:32PM (12/28/2008)
Maybe the France family will see this and think of creating a "retro-NASCAR" circuit. Take the current COT and plaster it with decals of Hudson, Tucker and the like. Somewhere in NASCAR's massive PR campaign they would be able to convince the current generation of NASCAR fans that decals really do make for a different car.
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Scott 4:21PM (12/28/2008)
The banked dirt track is still there and is the side of the county fair, concerts and of all things 3 large old car parts swap meets.
I walk this track this year.
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Paul 9:41AM (3/11/2009)
From wikipedia:
To counteract the bad press, Tucker again took the cars on the road. He scheduled a two-week public test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a few of the 37 cars that had been built. One car was rolled at 100 mph (160 km/h), and the driver walked away with just bruises. Public perception changed from outrage at Tucker's alleged misconduct to anger at the press and the government.
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