Tucker Radios

[Tucker Fan 48]

I know this has been discussed a few times but has anyone ever determined how many Tucker radios
were built by Motorola? I noticed that all the Tucker Radios Model 708T6, Part #102954 have serial numbers
on them. They were stamped on the radio itself and the numbers were also written on the boxes. I have
photos ranging from Serial number 35935 to 45980. Does anyone have a radio with a number higher or
lower than that? They also stamped dates on the inside of the cases. You need to open up the radio to
see the date. I'm assuming that is the date it was manufactured. It would be interesting to get a timeline
of when the radios were made. What is the oldest known Tucker radio and what is the newest?

Also did Motorola use this same set of serial numbers for all their radios or was this numbering unique to
the Tucker? It doesn't seem possible there were 46000+ Tucker radios made does it? If there are I'll leave
the project of figuring out where all 46000+ are to someone else.

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[Tucker Fan 48]

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[cicero]

mine is S/N 30438
July 21 1948

[Tucker Fan 48]

I wouldn't think there would be any earlier than say April or May since early model cars used the 12345M head
and some have dash board controls. It didn't seem like they settled on this design until then otherwise I think
we would have seen this type in all the cars.

I don't recall the date the accessory sales program started. I'm sure most would have been built after that date.

Does anyone know who bought the display radio a couple weeks back? Curious now what number that radio was.

[cicero]

It doesn't seem possible there were 46000+ Tucker radios made does it? If there are I'll leave
the project of figuring out where all 46000+ are to someone else.

Someone named Mal Fuller throws out the figure of the contract being for 10,000 radios.

I question that as much of his information about the supply of motors is flat out wrong.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2007/10/21/sia-flashback-hoax/

[Tucker Fan 48]

In the middle of his 40-year career at Ford, my father was given the assignment to investigate Preston Tucker and his car. My father’s conclusion was that Preston never himself believed that he would become an automaker.

Typical of what went on at that time. Here is a guy from Ford assigned to investigate Tucker. What other conclusion could he
have came up with. I'm sure he thinks his father was right. We all would if we were in his shoes but the facts show a much
different story. I'm sure much of what Old Man Fuller came up with had to do with keeping his job at Ford and giving them
information they could use against Tucker.

There was certainly a supply of motors. The company did not run out as he stated. In one of the poor moves Tucker made
they cancelled all of Air Cooled's government contracts so they could focus on making Tucker engines. They could have met
any number they needed.

It is clear this guy had no knowledge of the Tucker Corporation or the outcome of the trial. As for the Motorola contract, it
could have been for 10,000 initial radios. Seems like there are at least that many out there.

[ebres63081]

Tuckerfan:

The display radio from eBay carries serial number : 708T6 37158

The display, license plate 42, front grill and awesome banner with original tassles and bar are safe and sound in Los Angeles, Ca. Believed to be from the Lemmo collection? All items will be preserved under UV plexi!

Can anyone help us authenticate the origins of the display? Was it in the Tucker showroom? Was it made by Motorola? Maybe Jenin? Any photos of the marketing department or front lobby show it?

Eric
www.breslowcollection.com

[ebres63081]

PS: My mint radio in a nice box carries serial number 53953.... Which is in addition to the world record I probably set on the display radio!

[cicero]

wow, so far mine is the oldest? This would fit my theory that it was originally purchased by a prospective tucker buyer since it ended up in a '50 chevy with the push buttons painted red to cover over the tucker name.

Does anyone know if Mr Fuller's assertion that JC Whitney was selling tucker radios into the 60's is correct? I heard that they did buy parts at auction from other sources.

[Tucker Fan 48]

Does anyone know if Mr Fuller's assertion that JC Whitney was selling tucker radios into the 60's is correct? I heard that they did buy parts at auction from other sources.

If it happened someone here will have a copy of the ad. Seems like everything else Fuller said was wrong. I've never read anything
from all that has been written by friends and family that Preston did not believe he was going to build cars. Even as he was dying
in 1956 he was telling people he was going to build cars and pay back every penny to the original investors.

[Natalie]

Tuckerfan:

The display radio from eBay carries serial number : 708T6 37158

The display, license plate 42, front grill and awesome banner with original tassles and bar are safe and sound in Los Angeles, Ca. Believed to be from the Lemmo collection? All items will be preserved under UV plexi!

Can anyone help us authenticate the origins of the display? Was it in the Tucker showroom? Was it made by Motorola? Maybe Jenin? Any photos of the marketing department or front lobby show it?

Eric
http://www.breslowcollection.com

If you have a copy of the Tucker Auto documentary done by the History Channel (you can get it on Amazon), there are at least 2 scenes where they show what I think may be your display. One is next to the Tin Goose in what I've assumed was Lemmo's collection (because there is a whole bunch of football "stuff" back there too if you look); the other time is by itself when they speak about the accessories program.

Oh, and next time, save some stuff for us poor folks, ok?

[Tucker Fan 48]

Oh, and next time, save some stuff for us poor folks, ok?

Natalie,

They did leave us this to bid on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

[Natalie]

Oh, and next time, save some stuff for us poor folks, ok?

Natalie,

They did leave us this to bid on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

Bwaahaha. Both priceless and worthless...on so many levels

[Tucker Fan 48]

Noticed another on E-Bay today. Serial # 24267 dated June 15 1948. Sorry Cicero

[cicero]

Oh, I didn't think mine was the oldest. I just thought it was interesting that of all of the number thrown out there it was the oldest on so far.