Preston Tucker held a patent for a collapsible steering column design. This is a padded area ahead of the passenger seat, free from obstructions, providing the front seat passengers an area to protect themselves in the event of an accident. The Tucker was designed with a safety glass, two-piece windshield with rubber moldings, each panel designed to pop out in the event of an impact.
Windshields in other cars of the day remained stationary, often causing severe head lacerations in the event of a crash when the occupant made contact with the stationary glass. Tucker designers changed some major design points between cars and Tucker and below used a mechanical linkage for the Cyclops Eye, whereas and above used a new, simpler cable design.
Suspension parts were also improved and revised at this point between and Some of the early Tuckers came with an under-the-seat gasoline powered heater. The cars featured in the movie were , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and Francis Ford Coppola owned Tucker and during filming, and George Lucas, the producer of the movie, purchased Tucker and after filming was complete, but has since sold The movie is credited for making the public more aware of the Tucker cars and causing an increase in the value of the remaining 47 Tuckers.
Air-cooled Motors, eventually purchased by and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tucker Corporation, supplied the engines for the Tucker cars. These engines were versions of the air cooled engines supplied for planes and early helicopters, modified to allow water cooling, for use in the Tucker cars.
Air-cooled Motors grew out of the remains of the Franklin Automobile Company, which produced up-scale, air cooled automobiles between and The car was driven by Joe Merola. In his career, he has owned three Tuckers — and if he bought this one, it would be his fourth.
He has also helped restore a few for clients. So, when he set out to restore , he wanted to look at another late production Tucker to study how the radio bezel looked. Radios were optional on Tuckers so to find one as a reference meant finding a Tucker so-equipped. Mark knew that was in Ohio and that it had a radio in it. Mark tracked down the owner and soon had an invitation to come see the car. Tucker was, in essence, in a barn.
It was stored in a metal building with a gravel floor but the owner had laid down a makeshift wooden floor of 2 by 6 lumber to help protect the car from moisture in the ground and the building was weather tight as well. Mark walked around the car and was impressed with its condition. The owner had gotten the car in and only driven it three times — for a total of 15 miles. In fact, when Mark first saw it, the odometer read 7, which all parties believe to be accurate. The owner of the car had a few issues with it and had parked it hoping to find the time later to iron out the bugs.
The problems were of the sort many Tucker owners are familiar with: transmission issues, cooling problems and so on. But, as they say, it "Ran when parked. After looking it over, Mark told the owner he would love to buy the car. The owner had no interest in selling but Mark stayed in touch after he left that day.
Three years later and following numerous conversations, the owner agreed to sell the car to Mark. Tucker the 39th of 51 Tucker cars made in was forfeited in a narcotics arrest in and was transferred by the U.
From to it passed through numerous owners and has been restored. It still has the original Franklin modified helicopter engine 6 cylinders, horsepower, rear-mounted. Its top speed is miles per hour, and the odometer reading is 11, miles. Note: If the photograph will be published or used in a film, video, or other commercial context, a Permission Request form must be completed.
Commercial use of the photograph, if approved, will be subject to additional reproduction rights fees as well as a photo lab fee. Allow four to six weeks after you send your order for delivery of the photograph. E-mail: info TuckerClub.
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