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1948 Tucker 48 Sedan

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.

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#: 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 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 TUCKER MODEL 48 SEDAN
Chassis#: 1052
Sold for USD$990,000
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
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 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
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 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker 48
Chassis#: 1049
Sold for USD$1,518,720
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker 48
Chassis#: 1003
Sold for USD$2,035,000
  2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker 48
Chassis#: 1036
Sold for USD$1,567,500
  2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker 48
Chassis#: 1034
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
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 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker Sedan
Chassis#: 1038
Sold for USD$1,017,500
  2008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
1948 Tucker Torpedo
Sold for USD$577,500
  2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
1948 Tucker 48 image  1948 Tucker 48 image  
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
 
1948 Tucker 48 (Project Car)
Sold for USD$31,350
  2002 Michigan Fall Classic Car Auction - The Kughn Collection
 

Tucker 48s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1948 Tucker 48's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1948 Tucker 48 2016 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale$850,000  
1948 Tucker 4810032013 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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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
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Chassis#:198.042.7500178
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Chassis#:198.040.7500027
Sold for $1,254,000
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Chassis#:198.040.5500594
Sold for $1,270,000
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1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  1948 Tucker 48 vehicle thumbnail image  
1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS496080
Sold for $1,270,000
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1948 Tucker 48

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1948 Tucker 48 Vehicle Profiles