Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

For the discriminating Tucker enthusiast - obscure facts, questions and answers

Moderators: Tuckerfan1053, TuckerCar, Phantomrig

Forum rules
The views expressed by users of this forum are their own and do not reflect the position of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc., its members, officers or directors. Each user is responsible for the content of his/her own posts.

By utilizing these boards you are agreeing to these terms and agree to hold harmless Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc. and its members, officers or directors from any part in the outcome of your use of these boards.

The Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc. reserves the right to delete, edit or otherwise modify posts as it deems necessary for the organization or primary purpose of the site. Please report any activity which is libelous, inflammatory, or in violation of common decency to the forum administrator immediately.

Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby KittyKatKhan » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:00 pm

Greetings Tucker fans! I'd like to know if anyone out there knows anything about the speech given by Preston Tucker in the famous courthouse scene of the movie. I am searching the internet in hopes of finding something about this, as those words certainly came to pass! I hope to use his speech in an upcoming class project. Can anyone help me here? Can you tell me where this case went to court? Are there any records? I need some help folks...I'm a big fan myself (having once been passed by a Tucker!) that was on its way to a car show! I'd love to have the speech if anyone could assist me in obtaining it!
Many thanks!
KittyKatKhan
KittyKatKhan
Newbie
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:48 pm

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby TuckerCar » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:19 pm

Unfortunately, Preston Tucker never made that address to the court in reality.

http://www.tuckerclub.org/html/movieinfo.html
Vice President
Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
User avatar
TuckerCar
Administrator
 
Posts: 691
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2001 7:05 am
Location: Chicagoland

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby Tuckerfan1053 » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:33 am

The open letter of Preston Tucker's, which appeared in several newspapers (and can be found here: http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1948/letter.html ) is of similar tone to the speech given in the film, and I find this part of it particularly telling:
When the day comes that anyone can bend our country's laws and lawmakers to serve selfish, competitive ends, that day democratic government dies.
User avatar
Tuckerfan1053
Moderator
 
Posts: 622
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Gallatin, TN

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby KittyKatKhan » Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:27 am

:D Thank you very much...this would explain why I cannot locate the information, wouldn't it? LOL I've read the letter, and perhaps I'll use that instead, as it seems to serve the same purpose, however, I really liked the 'version' in the film where PT makes the statement, or forecast ...(and no, I cannot quote it exactly) "if we continue down this path, someday we'll actually be buying our goods from the Japanese!" and this was during the time period when we were at war with them! The
courtroom loved it, but the day certainly came to pass...of course, the filmmakers had the reality of hindsight in their hands! :-) I sincerely appreciate your help with this one...it has saved me countless more hours of useless searching for something that wasn't there, as the 'facts' tell me PT never spoke in court... :cry:
KittyKatKhan
KittyKatKhan
Newbie
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:48 pm

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby Larry Clark » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:13 pm

Preston Tucker said essentially what Jeff Bridges says in the movie in a SEC hearing on June 16, 1947. He ended his comments by saying, "If we can't start a business, free enterprise is at stake." The federal criminal indictment was returned against Tucker and his co-defendants on 6/10/49. For all practical matters, the effort to produce the Tucker car ended by late fall in 1948.

Larry
Larry Clark
Tucker Authority
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2003 6:31 pm
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby KittyKatKhan » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:12 am

:D Jeff Bridges did a wonderful job in the movie, which IS one of my favorites...I'd love to be able to read the remarks made by PT at that Senate hearing if you could tell me where to locate them. Please be gentle, I'm a blonde, and not especially 'puter literate'. :oops: I grew up in a three stall garage where my Pop was always busy (he is a Master mechanic), and my mother always worked right along beside him. My first job was was hand seating valves...LOL ! So my appreciation for the Tucker and its unique features stem from a lifetime love of the automobile industry. My hubby and I have a used car dealership today, and believe it or not, although I just turned the big five oh (ouch), I am starting college :wink: Up to this point, my only formal education has been a certification in auto mechanics which I earned when I was 18, in a class of 40 gentlemen, but I proudly finished first in my class! The fans here at this club have been tremendous help to me, as I admire PT and intend to use his work in one of my classes. His ideals were supreme, and he was 'absolutely right!' I think he should be remembered and shown to the present generation, especially in light of our current oil situation...his ideals certainly shine right now!
KittyKatKhan
KittyKatKhan
Newbie
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:48 pm

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby Larry Clark » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:38 am

Preston Tucker made his remarks at a Securities and Exchange Commission hearing, not before the Senate. The SEC hearing began on Monday, June 16, 1947. Preston took the stand on June 17 (I incorrectly said the 16th on my last post). I do not have a copy of the SEC transcript. I have been unable to secure a copy- I have tried Freedom of Information Requests and have otherwise searched for it. If you go to your public library (or a university library) you will probably be able to get access to past editions of the New York Times (either by using a viewer of old newspapers or web access to the NY Times archives). You will be able to read about the hearing.

Larry
Larry Clark
Tucker Authority
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2003 6:31 pm
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby KittyKatKhan » Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:47 pm

Thank you Larry...I'll do as you suggest. My local library is rather small, but I think I may be able to get somewhere online...you've been a great help! :D
KittyKatKhan
KittyKatKhan
Newbie
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:48 pm

Re: Court Speech by Preston Tucker?

Postby bootsykowan » Sat May 30, 2009 9:08 pm

I'm still going through the DVD. I just listened to the commentary about the speech. It didn't happen. He added that it could never happened. Wouldn't be allowed. But he wanted the film to voice what Tucker might have said. He did say that Tucker did request the jury to look out the window to see all the cars and it was not allowed. Even to know that is true. Another interesting comment in this scene. He said that today it's different (1988) because now everyone is allowed to innovate. wellll, that's only because our enemies took over. I'm in a Prius because I wanted a hybrid. I did have a Ford Taurus before that. I think even the Taurus was collaboration with the Japanese but I'm not sure. In the film it didn't say "Japanese", it said "enemies".
bootsykowan
Newbie
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 6:54 pm


Return to Tucker History

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests