1948 Tucker “Torpedo” Is Highly Original, Fires Up After Decades in a Museum
Developed by Preston Tucker and produced in 1948, the Tucker 48, often called the Tucker Torpedo, is one of the most intriguing vehicles ever designed in the US. It’s also among the rarest, with only 51 units produced (including the prototype) before the company was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Unlike most American cars of the era, the 48 had its engine in the rear. And it wasn’t a run-of-the-mill automotive unit either. Tucker opted for an air-cooled, flat-six powerplant that Air Cooled Motors developed for the Bell 47 helicopter. Called the Franklin O-335, the 334-cubic-inch (5.5-liter) engine was converted to water cooling and modified significantly before production began.
Unfortunately, the Tucker 48 was way ahead of its time, and the company had issues perfecting its pioneering features before mass production was scheduled to commence. A troubled premier, negative publicity in the media, and an investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission sent Tucker into bankruptcy.
The company never recovered, so its legacy was revived around the 51 vehicles that were built. Impressively enough, no fewer than 47 examples have survived to this day, also becoming million-dollar classics. Speaking of legacy, two of Preston Tucker’s great-grandsons are running a company focused on preserving the rare Tucker 48. And they recently got the opportunity to revive Tucker #1013, which spends its retirement years in the Swigart Antique Auto Museum.
Although the 48 is in pristine condition and highly original, it hasn’t been started or moved in more than 10 years. Not surprisingly, it needed some work under the hood to move again under its own power. And it’s great to see the old “Torpedo” make noise again.
One of 47 surviving Tuckers, this 48 was originally finished in the Waltz Blue paint it’s still wearing. It’s one of six colors available at the time. According to existing documents, only 12 units were painted in this hue. An unfinished 1949 prototype was also painted Waltz Blue.
If you want to see this Tucker up close, you can visit the Swigart Museum in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The museum, which is America’s oldest antique automobile museum, is also home to the “Tin Goose” prototype. Originally painted maroon, the car was originally fitted with Tucker’s first engine, a 589-cubic-inch (9.6-liter) flat-six engine with hemispherical combustion chambers and fuel injection. It was replaced with the Franklin unit after the premiere.
If you can’t make it to the Swigart Museum, you can check out Tucker #1013 in the video below.
