Allan Reinert v. Francis Ford Coppola , Case No. BC006082

[Tucker Fan 48]

Just wondering if anyone knows what the outcome was of this case?

A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments.

IN COURT July 23, 1990 | From United Press International

Lucasfilms, Coppola Sued Over 'Tucker' Engine: Lucasfilms Ltd. and Francis Ford Coppola were sued Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court for allegedly altering a rare engine used in the movie "Tucker." Allan Reinert said in the suit that he allowed the defendants to use a prototype engine made by the now-defunct Tucker Automobile Co. It was not supposed to be altered, but instead was "sandblasted and polished" when it was used in the film, the suit says. Reinert seeks general and punitive damages because the defendants allegedly destroyed the engine's "unique and historical" value.
(Filed July 18, 1990. Case No. BC006082)

[Phantomrig]

I have never heard of this but im interested to here how it turned out.

[Tuckeroo]

Ironic, but to be fair a lot of original items were unfortunately damaged or altered during the movie. Among them one of #1015's u-joints, rear suspension on #1022 (tied down on the trailer too tight), numerous items on #1013 (including rear seat left out in the weather), center headlight lens on #1012. Richard was among the club members who worked on the set and documented the damage incurred on other's property, my enjoyment of the movie not withstanding...

[TuckerCar]

I suppose Coppola cut the roof of of 1057 when he was borrowing it too...

[Tucker Fan 48]

I suppose Coppola cut the roof of of 1057 when he was borrowing it too...

It's interesting that you would mention Coppola and the Convertible. In my research on the Tucker, I uncovered
some little known facts about the movie as well. It turns out that the title Tucker: A Man and His Dream was
not the original title that was going to be used. You'll see in the "original" promo poster for the movie (below)
that Jeff Bridges was standing next to a different car and the title was different from the one we all know.
As you can see the movie was going to be about just one car rather than the fifty they ended up with.

tucker_the_man_and_his_convertible.JPG (88.33 KiB) Viewed 979 times

[TuckerCar]

Very nice work. But be careful, you just provided more proof of the car's authenticity.

[Randy Earle]

Wow, great photoshop!

[Natalie]

I have never heard of this but im interested to here how it turned out.

So, I did the online doc search on the LA Superior Court website...turns out there are no electronic documents available for this case. This is the result I got for my $4.75 party name search fee. Bah. Maybe it will be of some use if someone actually goes to the records room or whatever... Anyone know who "Tom Sparks" is?

Civil Case Index

Case Number: BC006082
Case Title: REINERT ALLAN VS. COPPOLA FRANCIS FORD
Filing Date: 7/18/1990
Case Type: Civil (General Jurisdiction)

Plaintiff(s)
REINERT ALLAN

Defendant(s)
COPPOLA FRANCIS FORD
LUCASFILMS LTD
SPARKS TOM

[John K.]

If memory serves (and it doesn't always), Tom Sparks was involved in working with the Tucker cars for the movie in a technical way, and was one of the guys who made molds off the prototypes to make the 4 "replicars". I think that's right.

[Natalie]

If memory serves (and it doesn't always), Tom Sparks was involved in working with the Tucker cars for the movie in a technical way, and was one of the guys who made molds off the prototypes to make the 4 "replicars". I think that's right.

Thanks, I'm sure your right!