Collecting Model Cars

1948 Tucker Sedan

The 1948 Tucker Sedan is very famous more so than you would expect from it’s very short production run. A prototype of the first Tucker was called the “Tin Goose”. From the prototype 58 bodies and frames were constructed and from these 36 Tucker Torpedo sedans were completed before the force closing of the factory. One other prototype was on the drawing board called the “Vera”, was to be a convertible. The factory was closed before construction ever started. After the factory closed with the parts 14 more sedans were completed bringing the total to 51. There is a plan in the works to complete the convertible by May 2009 that will bring the total Tuckers to 52.

Preston Tucker saw an opportunity to get into the car market after World War II. With the U.S. auctioning off war factories and giving a break to startup companies Tucker jumped at the chance.
Tucker’s idea was to build a new car with safety in mind with innovative features. These features were disk brakes, fuel injection and a rear engine to be an air cooled flat 6. A lot of Tuckers innovations were dropped but left on the drawing board were magnesium wheels, disk brakes and a direct drive torque converter transmission.

Tucker’s innovative engine selection the (9.7 L) flat 6 worked but had valve train problems. Next an aircraft engine by Lycoming was selected but they could not fit it into the rear engine compartment. Tucker bought four Franklin air cooled flat 6 helicopter engines that did fit perfect in the Tucker Torpedo Sedan. The 335 ci 5.5L engines were converted into water cooled engines and produced 166 hp. They were perfect and very durable. Tucker bought the Franklin Company to own the engines source.

Most all of the original Tuckers Torpedo Sedan's can still be driven today. At auction they command millions from collectors.

For the modeler these vintage car wonders can still be found and make great additions to collections.

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