<---Goto Page 1                                     A Look Behind The Scenes (cont.) Conestoga plane scene— PT twice high bidder but failed to acquire a WAA steel plant. Vera’s visit to the board— Didn’t happen. PT board president after Toulmin resigned (September, 1947). Rockelman never board chair. PT promised $1000 car. Probable price at least $1,800. PT making radio ad / Vera’s call— Waltz Blue color being "their" color supposedly true. There was a big strain of trying to sell stock during 1947 while trying to finalize production of the car. PT to Board— PT always did have voice in matters of policy. Problems more with old guard officers brought in to help boost the sale of stock. 589 engine was a failure. PT was slow to admit this. Disc brakes and fuel injection had to be eliminated. Seat belts were an internal debate. Visit to see Howard Hughes— PT possibly visited Hughes as a potential investor (PT saw many schemers and kooks). Hughes then did have problems with government. Air-Cooled Motor Co. did have a really fine aluminum air-cooled helicopter engine (company purchased by PT in 3/48). Conversion of engine at Ypsilanti— Was done in Ypsilanti, away from Chicago plant PT felt could not do this in Chicago with internal problems. PT had more trust for loyal group of "monkey–wrench engineers" (including Preston Tucker, Jr. and Eddie Offutt) and Dan Leabu than his traditional engineers in Chicago. The converted engine was very good but then still too costly for mass production. Testing of Cars at Indy 500— Tests in September, 1948. Car #1027 did turn over as pictured. Driver (Offutt) not injured. Tests clearly demonstrated the performance capabilities of the Tucker ‘48s. Abe tells PT good bye— Abe was actually fired in November, 1946 (at insistence of Cerf). Abe had criminal record as stated. Although Abe later brought lawsuit versus Tucker Corporation, he and PT remained friends. Drew Pearson’ radio show— Basic depiction quite accurate. June 16, 1948. All Tucker ‘48’s could back up. PT flew three cars to Washington to show Pearson the next day (no evidence that Pearson ever saw cars). SEC confiscates files— Uncertain about Chicago Tribune story. Files confiscated in June, 1948. Plant momentarily shut down. SEC claims this was PT’s choice, not their action (probably true). Suits not yet beginning by disgruntled dealers. Rockelman did not then resign (he resigned November, 1948). PT and row of Tucker cars— Plant lease secured September, 1947. No need to complete 50 cars after company files confiscated. Skeleton crew did complete a number of cars in late 1948 but last thirteen (13) of fifty (50) cars lacked the installation of engine and/or transmission. PT’s arrest— PT did elude police to turn over company records, not for arrest. PT indicted in June, 1949. PT’s criminal trial— Trial from October 04, 1949 to January 11, 1950. Lost car plant the first day of trial. Lustron momentarily given plant in October, 1946, not 1949. Statements of Kerner and Kirby capture their actual arguments. Kirby: "Failure result of serious financial problems and outside interference" is essentially accurate. Interference is primarily government interference, not Big 3 espionage. Government questioned PT’s decision to go back to Ypsilanti Machine & Tool Co. for engine and transmission work when PT possessed the world’s largest, best equipped plant. PT had proper receipts for engine work. PT did divert some company funds for personal use. SEC did improperly leak secret report to The Detroit News. Eight (8) cars, not fifty (50), brought to courthouse. PT never spoke in court (nor Abe, nor Rockelman). PT was a defendant with six (6) others (Abe, Rockelman, Cerf, Pierce, Dulian, Radford and Knoble). The Defense did rest without presenting rebuttal witnesses. Kirby essentially said what PT says: "if tried, even if no good, even if didn’t make any, than not wrong" The jury did find PT and the other six defendants not guilty. Time to rewind the tape and think of what might have happened if the Tucker ‘48 had become a reality.   <---Goto Page 1