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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 Dan Vaughan


The American Sports Car Company (TASCO) wanted to build a suitable American Sports car for European-style racing. Gordon Buehrig, who was one of the investors, was tasked with performing the design work. He oversaw the production of this single prototype vehicle. The TASCO never raced and never made it into production.

The long-hooded short-decked two-seater car is typically associated with 1930s classic car design, of which Buehrig penned some of the most famous shapes of the era. However, in the design of the TASCO, Buehrig incorporated many aerospace elements. Most notable is the bubble-shaped plexiglass 'cockpit' style interior. A vertical dashboard and instrument panel looks like it came directly out of an airplane. Dual gas tanks allowed the driver to switch to higher octane fuel for racing. The hand-crafted aluminum body was built by the Derham Body Company, also known for building bodies for many Buehrig-designed Duesenbergs.

The TASCO was the first to incorporate a T-Top design with the sections of the plexiglass roof lifting out, enabling the car to become a convertible. Another first was the use of magnesium for the wheels and fiberglass for the fenders. The rear lights and license plate are encased in a plexiglass bubble. The windows operate through a vacuum lift.