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Immediately following World War II, Preston Tucker secured a 475-acre plant in Cicero, Illinois, where B-29 bomber engines had been manufactured by Dodge. The War Assets Administration gave preference to those who would make it operational quickly and employ as many people as possible. Tucker promised to build 'The first completely new car in 50 years!' It was decidedly different from the typical offerings from Detroit. Seemingly, Tucker had everything going for it.
Then the avalanche. Tucker sought to finance the manufacture of his car by selling dealer franchises; the Securities and Exchange Commission disagreed with the practice. Powerful enemies were made when he secured the fight for the Cicero, Illinois plant, joined in. Indictments followed. Tucker was ultimately exonerated, but his dream was finished. Just one prototype and 50 production models were built.
This car was the 44th of the 50 Tucker pilot production cars and one prototype. After the Tucker factory closed at the end of October 1948, it was one of eight cars assembled by its designer, Alex Tremulis, and a handful of Tucker workers on their own time. A total of 47 Tuckers survive today with 18 owned by museums. Trademark features include a center-mounted 'Cyclops' third headlight which turns with the steering wheel, padded dash and doors, a safety chamber in case of collision, pop-out safety glass windshield and four aircraft-style suicide doors cut into the rooflines. It is powered by a rear-mounted horizontally opposed six-cylinder Franklin helicopter engine producing 166 bhp with an electric shift transmission. Tuckers were capable of 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph.
The current caretaker acquired this car in January 2017, and since then, the Tucker has been driven fewer than 500 miles. The car is one of eight Tuckers originally finished in Andante Green with a green wool broadcloth interior.
Then the avalanche. Tucker sought to finance the manufacture of his car by selling dealer franchises; the Securities and Exchange Commission disagreed with the practice. Powerful enemies were made when he secured the fight for the Cicero, Illinois plant, joined in. Indictments followed. Tucker was ultimately exonerated, but his dream was finished. Just one prototype and 50 production models were built.
This car was the 44th of the 50 Tucker pilot production cars and one prototype. After the Tucker factory closed at the end of October 1948, it was one of eight cars assembled by its designer, Alex Tremulis, and a handful of Tucker workers on their own time. A total of 47 Tuckers survive today with 18 owned by museums. Trademark features include a center-mounted 'Cyclops' third headlight which turns with the steering wheel, padded dash and doors, a safety chamber in case of collision, pop-out safety glass windshield and four aircraft-style suicide doors cut into the rooflines. It is powered by a rear-mounted horizontally opposed six-cylinder Franklin helicopter engine producing 166 bhp with an electric shift transmission. Tuckers were capable of 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph.
The current caretaker acquired this car in January 2017, and since then, the Tucker has been driven fewer than 500 miles. The car is one of eight Tuckers originally finished in Andante Green with a green wool broadcloth interior.
2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,600,000-USD $2,100,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,347,500
1948 Tucker 48 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Tucker 48
(Data based on Model Year 1948 sales)
1948 Tucker '48 Chassis#: 1003 Sold for USD$1,380,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1021 Sold for USD$1,870,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1034 Sold for USD$2,040,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1948 TUCKER MODEL 48 SEDAN Chassis#: 1052 Sold for USD$990,000 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1028 Sold for USD$1,985,000 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1040 Sold for USD$1,600,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1046 Sold for USD$1,820,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1029 Sold for USD$1,792,500 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1044 Sold for USD$1,347,500 2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1049 Sold for USD$1,518,720 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1003 Sold for USD$2,035,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1036 Sold for USD$1,567,500 2014 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1034 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl | |
1948 TUCKER TORPEDO Chassis#: 33550 Sold for USD$2,915,000 2012 Barrett-Jackson at Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1948 Tucker 48 Chassis#: 1010 Sold for USD$797,500 2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company | |
1948 Tucker 48 4Dr Sedan Chassis#: 1045 Sold for USD$1,127,500 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1948 Tucker Sedan Chassis#: 1038 Sold for USD$1,017,500 2008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions | |
1948 Tucker Torpedo Sold for USD$577,500 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction | |
1948 Tucker Model 48 Chassis#: 1029 Sold for USD$461,500 2005 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia | |
1948 Tucker 48 Sold for USD$495,000 2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Tucker 48s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1948 Tucker 48's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948 Tucker 48 | 2016 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale | $850,000 | |||
1948 Tucker 48 | 1003 | 2013 RM Auctions Amelia Island | $1,475,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,900,000 |
1948 Tucker 48 | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $220,000 | |||
1947 TUCKER TORPEDO FOUR DOOR SEDAN | 2002 Kruse Auction Las Vegas, NV |
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