Having read almost all of the Tucker books and seen the movie a couple of times and being a TACA member and working as a volunteer at the SD Auto Museum where Tucker 1019 resides, I have always wondered if history would been quite different if Tuckers had been built in Michigan.
Would the Senator have had a different and more kindly view towards Preston Tucker? Would the Big Three have had a problem with that even though they are generally exonerated from any blame? Would the Senator's wife have bought Tucker stock and sold Chrysler short?
Just wondering, but let me know your thoughts on this.
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If Tuckers were built in Michigan---
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If Tuckers were built in Michigan---
by compton » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:08 pm
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Re: If Tuckers were built in Michigan---
by Larry Clark » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:57 pm
Dick: I personally do not think the outcome would have been different had Tucker ended up say in Ypsilanti (and perhaps Kaiser-Frazer in Chicago). The Chicago plant was at times a major distraction (Tucker initially did not have the money to cover the lease payments and then had to batle to retain the plant when it was subsequently awarded to Lustron) and the movie makes a big deal about Tucker trying to produce the car outside of MIchigan. However, the most critical challenge Tucker faced that he never overcame was the lack of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Ultimately, this was the same problem that Henry Kaiser had in the demise first of the Frazer and then the Kaiser car. And, to spin it further forward, what may now result in the downfall of the Big 3, something NO one could have envisioned in 1948.
As to Sen. Ferguson, he headed the Senate committee that oversaw the WAA. He had reason to be upset that after a year's time the check written by Preston Tucker to secure the plant had not been cashed and no one within the WAA was attempting to cash the check or get another check written/cashed. Why was it not cashed? Initially, Tucker did not have sufficient money to cover the check. Oscar Beasley, seen in the film as the WAA head, ended up forming a company with his brother that had a contract with Tucker Corporation (for services never explained) after the lease signing and before Tucker ultimately paid on the lease. Coincidence? Neither Sen. Ferguson nor the SEC thought so. Was Sen. Ferguson otherwise "over the top" towards Preston Tucker? Yes- neither had any use for the other.
Larry
As to Sen. Ferguson, he headed the Senate committee that oversaw the WAA. He had reason to be upset that after a year's time the check written by Preston Tucker to secure the plant had not been cashed and no one within the WAA was attempting to cash the check or get another check written/cashed. Why was it not cashed? Initially, Tucker did not have sufficient money to cover the check. Oscar Beasley, seen in the film as the WAA head, ended up forming a company with his brother that had a contract with Tucker Corporation (for services never explained) after the lease signing and before Tucker ultimately paid on the lease. Coincidence? Neither Sen. Ferguson nor the SEC thought so. Was Sen. Ferguson otherwise "over the top" towards Preston Tucker? Yes- neither had any use for the other.
Larry
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Re: If Tuckers were built in Michigan---
by compton » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:58 pm
Larry, many thanks for your very interesting response which certainly made sense. It seems that the last line kind of summed it up . I guess they just disliked each other. Preston was too much for the senator and the senator was just not used to anyone who did not play ball with him. Next time you are out here in San Diego, please drop in at the Auto Museum in Balboa Park and pay a visit to #1019. Dick
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