Tucker #1016 at "The Henry Ford"

[BR]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Brad, and I'm a long time lurker but a first time poster.

I live in the Flint, Michigan area, about an hour north of the Henry Ford Museum (now called "The Henry Ford") in Dearborn, home of Tucker #1016. I have visited the museum a few times, the Tucker being the main attraction for me, of course.

Does anyone happen to know the history of this vehicle, such as how it was acquired (donated?) to the museum, how long it has been there, etc.

Basically, I'm looking for any available history on this particular Tucker. I am quite sure it has not moved an inch since the first time I saw it about 15 years ago.

I have contacted the museum requesting information on the car and if anything is ever done with it, but never received a response. Actually, I'm not sure how how they would remove the car from the display it is in if that was ever to occur. It would require the moving of a few other vehicles at minimum. It is hardly possible to get a good look at the car or take good photos. Anyone who has been to the museum knows what I'm talking about.

What is the story on this car? Any info that can be provided is much appreciated!

[Larry Clark]

1016 was not purchased at the bankruptcy auction. In September 1948 the car was transferred to Air-Cooled Motors. From here I do not know what happened. I think that Erza Schlipf somehow acquired the car from the Tucker Corporation. Erza's daughter has told me that she does not remember him owning this car. I believe he did. Some years ago someone once affiliated with the Detroit newspaper said it was Erza whom sold the car to the paper. A curator assistant at the Henry Ford told me over twenty years ago that he was once told that the seller of 1016 had at one time or another a number of Tucker cars. Erza did. Does this mean that the matter is "for sure" settled? Not yet for me. Perhaps Martyn Donaldson, the TACA Car Historian, might have stronger evidence of chain of ownership to share with us.

The car was acquired by the paper to study in relation to the libel suit brought against them by Preston Tucker. Larry

[John K.]

Mr. Clark, I believe Mr. Schlipf's first name is not spelled "ERZA" but "EZRA", which is a common male name, found in the Old Testament. I believe I've seen it in print this way as well.
Many thanks for all you've done for our club so far, and the continuing research that you're doing. I take my hat off to you, sir!
No. 16 is the first Tucker I encountered myself, as I live about 10 minutes away from the aforementioned museum. The gentleman from Flint is right-- the Tucker is situated in the middle of a bumper-to-bumper "traffic jam", between a Jeep and a VW Bug, I believe. Very difficult to see well or photograph.

[Tuckerfan1053]

Right now, at the HFM, they have another one of the great "might have been" cars, which got killed by politics before it had a chance to be born. Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion Car.

Architects, auto buffs, artists and pop-culture nuts would all be wise to flock to The Henry Ford in Dearborn to catch "Best of Friends: Buckminster Fuller + Isamu Noguchi" till Jan. 15.

This traveling exhibit takes us into the unlikely friendship between two titans of 20th-century design, each of whom would contribute a significant landmark to Detroit.

Detroiters are particularly lucky. This is the only stop on the exhibit's tour with a Dymaxion, which The Henry Ford borrowed from the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nev.

I have an "internet friend" who is going to be paying a visit to the museum soon and has promised to get photos of both Bucky's car, and the black Tucker for me. I'll post links to the pics as soon as I get them.

[Larry Clark]

John: You are indeed correct that it is Ezra. I learned about Ezra over 30 years ago from a now deceased TACA member who said Ezra'a name was Erza, not Ezra. I learned differently when I met Ezra's widow in 1990. You would think I could keep it right but when in a hurry I obviously go back to old habits. Thanks for posting your correction. This board needs such corrections to be posted when ever any of us post something that may not be correct. Happy Thanksgiving. Larry

[MD]

I agree with Larry that Ezra Schlipf owned #1016 for a period of time after Air-Cooled had the car. The Henry Ford Museum has owned it since 1958 (almost 50 years!), but the exact whereabouts of the car during the ten year period from 1948 to 1958 are unclear. I don't know how long Ezra kept the car and I can't imagine the Newspaper had it very long...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,

Martyn

[Tuckerfan1053]

They're a bit dark, but you can see the photos here: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f133/trevor51181/

[CMHSDuesy]

The car hasn't been run since before I was born...