Tucker Torpedo

[Preston]

Did a member of the Tucker family build a version of the Tucker torpedo? (Image was used in Mechanics Illustrated in '47 I Believe)...
Looks like something out of Buck Rogers with the rocket shape back end.
Was always wondering if that was a small model used and wondered if a life size one was built. Does that model still exist... and where can one find a photo/image of it? (other than on this home page)
Thanks for a great site... I think I'll stick around and learn...

[Preston]

Again... was that a small model mocked up for the photo
or is/was there a car like this built.
Thanks

[TuckerCar]

That was a George Lawson model. I forget what scale it was - 1:8??

[Preston]

Is that model still around?... Would love to see it.
I thought I read that a Tucker family built one out of a Buick Rivera?
Was just wanting to put that rumor to rest or see if any other images
where out there.
Thanks for the reply.

[TuckerCar]

They family had one on display at the Petersen Museum earlier this year, but I can't remember if it was the Torpedo model or a '48 model.

[Tatra Man]

Hello,

I own the original Tucker Torpedo model designed and built by George S. Lawson. It is the original plaster cast of the clay model that George sculpted in his home in St. Clair Shores, MI ca. 1945-6. Plaster casts of clay models are made because clay is difficult to paint. So, if a designer wanted to make a really nice presentation he would cast it in clay. And these plaster models were only made if the designer thought the design warrented it - which was the exception rather than the rule.

Anyhow, it was on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum this year. But the display is down now. Lawson never finished the model. Thus, it remains an unpainted/unsanded model. It is quite brittle as well. It is in excellent conditon considering I found it in an 1800's tobacco barn in Ohio, where it had been sitting since the late 1940's or early 1950's.

The interesting thing is that each side of the model is a different design. It does features Lawson's cyclops headlight, as well as the many other features seen in the early Tucker publications. The model is 1/4 scale.

On a side note, this model was the only "Tucker Torpedo" built, as the car's name was changed to the "Tucker '48" after Lawson resigned from the company in December of 1946.

Best Regards, Hampton

[Tuckerfan1053]

One of the members of the Tucker family had a 1972 Buick Rivera modified to look like what a Torpedo might look like if it had ever been built. The result can be seen here.

[Tatra Man]

Yes, that Buick Riviera is inspired by the Lawson design, but it falls quite short of an accurate representation. But it's certainly unique.

[Tuckerfan1053]

Personally, if I was going to carve up a Buick Rivera to look like a Tucker, I would have used Tremulis's Talisman design.

[Tatra Man]

Yes, I like the Talisman too. But I don't think I would use a boat tail Riviera to build anything. I would prefer to start from scratch building a tubular frame and hammering out a custom metal body. It would be difficult to give an accurate representation of either design without starting from scratch.

[Tuckerfan1053]

Well, it'd be cheaper to use a Rivera as a starting point, and the Rivera looks so similar to the Talisman, that I have to wonder if the designer of that car wasn't influenced by the design.

[Tom]

Is there pics of the Tucker Talisman?

[Tuckerfan1053]

Alex Tremulis's version can be found here. Egan's version can be found here. Of the two, I like Tremulis's the best.

[Tom]

Did these pics come out of egan's book design and destiny?

Tom

[Tuckerfan1053]

Did these pics come out of egan's book design and destiny?

Tom

Egan doesn't print Alex's design for some reason.