Tucker Top Speed Records

[TuckerCar]

Yeah. I was wondering how many gears they used. Or if they knew how to shift it.

[Natalie]

I've got a lot of research on my plate right now on other cars but maybe someone can check and see if De Portago was even at Sebring during this period or even in the US.

According to many sources, including: http://forums.autosport.com/lofiversion/index.php/t79149.htm and http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/photo/Alfonso-de%20Portago-E.html De Portago did participate in the Florida International Grand Prix of Endurance powered by Amoco, Sebring on March 23, 1957.

It doesn't look like he was in the Sebring neighborhood for any official event outside of that in 1957 (he was in the Sebring in 1954, '55 & '56, though).

His next event after Sebring '57 was about 2 weeks later in France, and we know what happened about a month after that in Italy. This presents a pretty narrow time frame. The zombie De Portago theory is intriguing. Maybe he had a friend keep time. That would explain the lack of records by Sebring. From my experience, zombies are dreadful with paperwork.

For those who like this sort of thing, there is some really cool 16mm home video of the 1957 Sebring event here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHgtEoe_PUE&feature=search. If you're interested enough to search, there are some professional clips too. Maybe you'll see something in the shots of the fairgrounds or crowd.

[Tucker Fan 48]

Natalie you are my hero today !

Your information at least puts De Portago at Sebring in 1957 just as Nick Jenin said he was. It seems possible that De Portago could have run some unofficial laps in the Tucker. Maybe Jenin timed De Portago himself. Nick did own several race tracks and would have the knowledge of how to do it. They might have even let their buddy Jenin run the car around for a few laps without any official paperwork. Given the documentation from Nick Jenin that this happened and the fact that De Portago was documented to have been at the track during the timeframe he would have needed to be there, I see no reason not to believe this story. There are no facts that show otherwise.

Too bad we didn't know this earlier. The car might have been worth more than $1,127,500

[Tuckeroo]

This may add to the confusion rather than alleviate it. In the process of re-reading The Indomitable Tin Goose (an undertaking of mine about once every year or so), I came across this sentence (page 166 in the paperback, Chapter 23):

"As late as 1956 a Tucker was clocked at 119 miles an hour during the Grand Prix at Sebring, Florida, at night on one of the back stretch straightaways."

Like a game of Clue...only seeking Driver/Place/Speed, plus Date/Car ID. Not that Pearson's book should always be treated as sacrosanct, but if it's a question relating to Tucker predating 1960 I tend to see what, if anything, may have been written about it in that book.

Actually after checking the source posted by Natalie (http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/photo/Alfonso-de%20Portago-E.html) that should put de Portago at Sebring on March 24, 1956 and March 23, 1957, so whether the date was in 1956 or 1957 and the place was Sebring, de Portago would've at least been there for both Grand Prixs...thanks, Natalie!

Perhaps, WQ5B, you were correct about the year after all...?

[Natalie]

This may add to the confusion rather than alleviate it.

I've noticed that trend around here

[Phantomrig]

This may add to the confusion rather than alleviate it.

I've noticed that trend around here

I dont know, i dont really thing were confused just a little disoriented at times.

[Tuckerfan1053]

This may add to the confusion rather than alleviate it.

I've noticed that trend around here

I dont know, i dont really thing were confused just a little disoriented at times.

And I'm not as thing as you drunk I am.

[CDB]

If all is true with the Count, Sebring Racetrack, and Nick Jenin, then I envision the following conversation taking place between Nick Jenin and Walter Bellm in 1966 (understand all of this is purely conjecture on my part, but I believe entirely plausible): "Nick I want to buy one of your Tuckers to put in my museum in Sarasota, but it has to be a special Tucker to make people pay to see." Nick's reponse: "Walter number 1045 set a speed record for the Tucker when it was driven by the Count at Sebring. It was done unoffically, but nevertheless the results are still the same and I would so testify." Walter's response: " I will take #1045 then and so advertise!" What do you think Tucker people? Also I note the new owner of 1045 has yet to come forward on our site so that we can embrace him or her. I personally extend an invitation for that person to come forward and join us. Charles

[Tucker Fan 48]

Tucker #1045 is probably sailing to it's new home as we speak. Hopefully when it arrives we'll hear from the
new owner. Until then we'll just have to grab a box of toothpicks, throw another shrimp on the BBQ, and wait.

I kinda like what he's done with it

Tucker 1045 sailing home.jpg (60.73 KiB) Viewed 692 times