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1948 Tasco Prototype

This is a Derham-bodied prototype for a post-World War II American sports car and featured airplane-inspired controls. It is a one-off vehicle designed by Gordon Buehrig, although Buehrig later denigrated his lone prototype claiming that it was designed more by a 'committee of investors' than his own hand. Jokingly, he described it as 'my Edsel.'

It is the first car in the world with a T-top roof. Buehrig patented the idea and sued GM when they used it on the 1968 Corvette. He received very little for his patent. This unique car includes fiberglass steerable front fenders. Built on a 1947 Mercury chassis and engine, the Tasco never reached production.

The company name 'Tasco' is an abbreviation for 'The American Sportscar Company.' This mostly aluminum prototype was created to inspire a contract with the Beech Aircraft Company for the production of an aviation-styled automobile.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2018

1948 Tasco Prototype Vehicle Profiles

1948 Tasco Prototype vehicle information

Coachwork: Derham
Designer: Gordon Buehrig

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