What Tucker and Why?

[Phantomrig]

I figured this could be a fun thread. Obviously with only 51 Tuckers produced and only 47 of them still in existence, most of which are in permanent museum collections, the odds of most of us ever owning one of them is slim to none. Now I know that there are a few lucky actual owners on here but the majority of us are not so lets dream together for a little bit. The question I propose is that if you could own any one of the 51 cars which one would you choose. Now im not attempting to start a car bashing thread and say that one Tucker is better than another, I just want to know what car you would want and why. Maybe it was the first Tucker that you ever saw, maybe you road in it, maybe you worked on it. Here is your place to tell us your fantasy Tucker. So please feel free to join in and have some fun, we(The Moderators) won’t punish you for having fun.

Mine would be 1013, this is because for along time it lived not very far from my home and my father was a friend of the owner Gil Heinrich, dad also had an opportunity to purchase 1013 at one time. Dad had may pictures from car shows in the 70’s-80’s before I was born(there you all know my secret, I’m a youngin). In the pics 1013 is sitting next to some friends 1937 Cord, 1926 Cadillac, and a few other cars that they all drug out to the shows.

So there you heard my dream now its time to share yours.

[Prototype]

This could be fun! Well, judging by my screen name, I would say the Tin Goose. I am a sucker for things unigue and one-off's. Prototypes are the archetype of all things manufactured. Without them or the men that create them, we would not have all the items we use (and take for granted) everyday. If the Goose were not available, I would say 1001, because it's the "first" pre-production car made to specs. My 3rd choice would be 1016, because I am also a sucker for black cars. Just about every car I have ever owned has been black, with the exception being my 1959 Pontiac Catalina that belonged to my Great-Grandfather, which is factory Vanguard Blue Metallic. This is not saying that if I was offered a Tucker that was painted to look like a calico cat I wouldn't take it, I would! Heck, I'd take Ricardo's masterpiece if he ever decides to sell it, finished or not. But I don't think that's going to happen either, so I guess we can all just dream.....Great idea, Phantomrig! I'm curious to see what others have to say..........

[Tucker Fan 48]

I've thought about this question before but can't pin it down to just one so I'll go with my top
five Tuckers and my reasons.

#1008 - Spent two years tracking down the original owner of this car. Saw it at Imperial Palace.
I've heard Richard Jones talk about the wild rides with Les Sheaffer in this car.

#1011 - First Tucker I ever saw. It was sitting in Whitey's junk yard. Yes, there really was a
Tucker in a junk yard.

#1017 - Keith and Eileen's car. Flawless restoration. Great history and great friends.

#1031 - Vera Tucker's car. Eric B's car. A couple of crazy weeks in September.

#1041 - By far the most photographed Tucker. Somehow the Yellow just looks like it belongs there.

#1042 - I know that's six but owning #1042 would mean its not really gone.

[TuckerCar]

5. 1016. Horrible car, but the first Tucker I ever saw.
4. 1012. Second Tucker I ever saw, and got to sit in. I was 12.
3. 1043. Spent hours moving the entire car, in boxes and buckets, from Reinert's garage into RM's trailer.
2. 1006. First ride in a Tucker (with Mark). And a beautiful car to boot.
1. 1002. For some reason I always liked the gold color, and in 2003 I got to drive it. So hands down 1002 is my favorite.

[Frankthepressagent]

For me its 1019 and 1043 for looks and condition. But i would have to say its the Tin Goose for originality and as a sentimental favourite. Also in its original spec, it was so much closer to the great mans' original plans for his car.
A great idea for a thread, thanks.

[plancor 792]

My No. 1 would be Tucker 1028. Had this vehicle for a few months taking care of problems with it and when I took it back to Chuck Lehnen it was the finest running vehicle of all I have driven over the years. It shifted everytime (after I found a cold solder joint on one of the solenoids) and corrected several other problems.

My No. 2 choice would be Bill Hamlin's Tucker 1014. As you are aware Bill frequently disrupted the local police in Ontario, CA. He had made may modifications to 1014 including plugging some of the oil holes in the engine so the car would not put out a cloud of smoke when it started. He also put an extra oil ring on the pistons and those rear axles where cut down Chevrolet Corvette axles.

My No. 3 would be Tucker 1021. Though I never drove this Tucker, Gene Clarke keeps in in top running condition and he drives it frequently. I know it would be a dependable automobile.

My No. 4 would be Tucker 1034. When Clayton Stone owned the car I visited with him. He handed me the keys and said to take it for a drive. I was shocked when he said he was not going with me as he had some medical problems and would stay there. So I took off in Tucker 1034 and had a nice drive. Everything worked, It shifted fine and ran very smooth as I took it up on the highway.

My No. 5 could be most of those that were in Richmond, CA for the making of the movie. I did not drive 1020,
Tucker 1012 had lots of problems and so did Tucker 1031. Russ Brownell and I drove them to see what needed to be done to keep them running when filming. In the process I broke a rear universal joint on Tucker 1015.

Richard

[streamliner]

OK, here goes…

#1 Choice: I’ll take the ‘vert. Here’s why: It’s possible this really is/was #57. If so, then back to 1950 it goes with the help of the LIFE archive photos. Use the top (really just the windows) and the rest of the parts from the auction of 2002. It’s the ONLY Tucker ’49 there is/was and it’s pretty well documented (thanks to you guys). If it’s not really #57, then I’m screwed and I’d have to put it back together as the remains of #27, the Indy rollover Tucker, (with that leftover dented door from #27), and trade it for my second choice:

#1b: The real #57, wherever, however, and whatever it is now. It’s got the big rear window, the modified front fenders, and I’m pretty sure that modified windows were planned for less air resistance and a quieter ride. A one-of-a-kind of one-of-a-kinds…

#2: Tin Goose: It had EVERYONE’s attention (a who’s who A-list of autoholics as well as the rest of the world) for almost a year.

#3: #1046 direct from eBay. Here’s the plan: First, before it’s restored back to better, get it to the point where an original engine could be put back in and the rest of the drivetrain put into condition for safe runs at top speeds. You’d be hard-pressed to find more torque for 1948. Then bring the rule-conforming car to Bonneville to complete some unfinished business. Once it’s captured the top honors for a 1948 production car, swap the engine for something with a bit more oomph and capture some unchallenged modified record. It would probably be the last chance for a Tucker to attempt something like this. Then you can bring it back to the shop to try to remove the white dust of the Speed Gods and complete its frame-off, nut and bolt restoration.

#4: Any one of #’s 1001 through 1058. Who am I kidding – I’d be ecstatic with any one of them... I'm not that picky.

[Tucker Fan 48]

OK, here goes…


#3: #1046 direct from eBay. Here’s the plan: First, before it’s restored back to better, get it to the point where an original engine could be put back in and the rest of the drivetrain put into condition for safe runs at top speeds. You’d be hard-pressed to find more torque for 1948. Then bring the rule-conforming car to Bonneville to complete some unfinished business. Once it’s captured the top honors for a 1948 production car, swap the engine for something with a bit more oomph and capture some unchallenged modified record. It would probably be the last chance for a Tucker to attempt something like this. Then you can bring it back to the shop to try to remove the white dust of the Speed Gods and complete its frame-off, nut and bolt restoration.

#1046 is probably beyond that point since it looked like this a couple months ago.

1046 update.jpg (100.29 KiB) Viewed 1617 times

[john]

I would have to go with #57 also.
I can not say 1057, as it never had a line cowl tag affixed to my best knowledge.
I too am a sucker for prototypes and new design.

The whole story that unfolded herein the tucker club is quite legendary, that in itself is cooool.

The "what if" aspect makes it one of the most talked about Tuckers.
Yes, there is still debate and a unfinished story that has never been told about the car.

I do agree with Streamliner, the 49 concept.
John

[Ohio AMX]

Any Tucker, any condition, any day!

[Preston]

Great thread idea...
Well if I had the money to own one I would want one to restore... that would be number 27 (which I think
is really more 18 with NOS parts and a couple beat up doors from 27)
How exciting it would be to take this project from its present state and
slowly bring it back to showroom condition... The feeling of the day to day progress and just watching it be
reborn.... I'm sure it's how the owners feel about 46 and how Preston himself felt when he would walk into
the factory and watch these “New” cars of the future slowly roll forward... the sounds of the hammers, smell of the paint and interior.... then the finish product....
To the owners of 46 and the new owner of 10... best of luck... can't wait to see the “See a Tucker” area updated with new pictures.

[tuckernomore]

OK-Here Goes, I was one of the most fortunate people in the whole world to have owned 2 Tuckers. For a brief 2 weeks I owned them both at the same time!!! I guess my very favorite to have owned and drove was of course 1046. That car gave myself and my wife many years wonderful joy. It had that old Mercury drive train in it where I could drive it anywhere at anytime. One of our favorite memories was when myself and my wife, Nicki, drove it from Arizona to Bakersfield, CA. to the big Goodguys car show. Being stopped on the road for pictures and thumbs up all the way was good enough but when we were in line to get in the gate to the Bakersfield show somebody spotted the car in line and in 3 minutes there were 1000s of people around the car and asking 1000s of questions. It made the hair stand on the back of my neck and tears run down my cheeks. I knew then what an important part of history the Tucker's had played in the automobile. I let both the cars slip out of my fingers for different reasons. 1003 for a small stupid profit and 1046 to appeze my son. What's the old saying? God if could do it over again they would both still be in my garage. I made alot of mistakes in my life but I believe letting these cars go was my biggest.

[streamliner]

by tuckernomore » Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:48 pm

Being stopped on the road for pictures and thumbs up all the way was good enough but when we were in line to get in the gate to the Bakersfield show somebody spotted the car in line and in 3 minutes there were 1000s of people around the car and asking 1000s of questions. It made the hair stand on the back of my neck and tears run down my cheeks. I knew then what an important part of history the Tucker's had played in the automobile.

That's exactly what these cars were intended to do. The fact that you did it and kept the cars in great condition while in your custody speaks volumes to your passion for these cars. Congratulations on being a part of their history!

ps: My car I let get away? 1968 Shelby GT350 that I had for 2 years and then saw again 8 years later at Pacific Coast Dream Machines. D'oh!

[Larry Clark]

If just one car I would choose #1008. It was the first Tucker car I saw in person- 1977 at Hershey in a light rain storm. Fellow TACA member Ed Way was with me- he had then never heard of a Tucker car. Later I got to meet Willis Jones who bought #1008 in October 1949. Jones preceded Nick Jenin in taking his car on tour for the public to see. Jones talked to Preston Tucker during a recess in his criminal trial to convince Tucker to support him in barnstorming Iowa to yet promote the Tucker ‘48. John Tucker accompanied Jones in #1031. Jones later bought 14 Tucker engines at the bankruptcy sale.

My second choice would be 1041. Bev Ferreira loved to drive #1041. In 1997 he drove #1041 to a car show in Santa Rosa, CA. I did not know Bev was going to be there. I went back to get my wife so she could see her first Tucker car in person and hopefully begin to understand my craziness for Tucker cars. My wife loved #1041 and Bev & Dorothy. She said she’d love for us to be able to drive #1041 up Highway 101. In memory of Bev, we would do just that.

My third choice has to be one Dave Cammack’s cars (sorry AACA Museum). Visiting with Dave and seeing his cars and collection is for me one of life’s great joys. I prefer maroon so I must pick #1001. I will need Richard Jones’ help to get #1001 back to being roadworthy again. Driving #1001 down Duke Street with Richard and Dave aboard would be as good as it can get with a Tucker car.

[Phantomrig]

You all have some interesting thoughts. I like the way this thread has turned out and hope that more members will add their opinions.