Tucker Torpedo Convertible to be auctioned off

Those of you scratching your heads, sit tight, as all will be explained. In March of 1949, the last of the 51 Tuckers ever built rolled off the Chicago-based assembly line. Preston Tucker's vision for a great American automobile was dead. Undeniably beautiful, wildly powerful (377 pound feet of torque made for quite a barnstormer at the time) and a couple of decades ahead its time (safety innovations, driver-centric controls, an active headlight), the Tucker Torpedo stands as a monument to what could have been, but simply wasn't.

While Tucker might have only completed 51 cars, he obviously planned to make more. As such, some unfinished cars must have existed. Here's one. Meet the Tucker Torpedo Convertible, the only droptop Tucker in existence. One of one, so to speak. Built off the "special box-wrapped ovular frame stamped No. 57," this frame was built by the Tucker Experimental Department and was, in fact, destined to be a convertible before fate stepped in. Then, over the intervening sixty or so years, someone (Benchmark Classics) stepped up and finished the job. It's outstanding looking.

And it's up for grabs. Well, the rear-mounted, helicopter-engined Tucker Convertible will be auctioned off during Russo and Steele's 10th anniversary event taking place January 20-24 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The #52 car has only two miles on the odometer and has never been titled. Should you buy it, you become its first owner. The convertible is painted Waltz Blue, a color derived from one of Mrs. Tucker's dresses. The top is tan. Best of all (for collectors), this car has been certified as authentic by none other than Al Prueitt. Once again, we so wish we were filthy stinking rich.

[Source: Russo and Steele via Speed TV | Image: Russo and Steele]