1948 Tucker 48 Sedan

Summary

Swooping fenders and six exhaust pipes make the Tucker look like a rocket ship. But Preston Tucker's car mixes fantasy with practicality. The center light turns with the front wheels to cast light around corners. Taillights are visible from the side for safety. Doors curve into the roof for easier entry and exit, while grilles on the rear fenders feed cooling air to the rear-mounted engine.

Swooping fenders and six exhaust pipes make the Tucker look like a rocket ship. But Preston Tucker's car mixes fantasy with practicality. The center light turns with the front wheels to cast light around corners. Taillights are visible from the side for safety. Doors curve into the roof for easier entry and exit, while grilles on the rear fenders feed cooling air to the rear-mounted engine.

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1948

Creators

Tremulis, Alex S., 1914-1991 

Tucker Corporation 

Tucker, Preston, 1903-1956 

Place of Creation

United States, Illinois, Chicago 

Creator Notes

Designed by Preston Tucker and Alex Tremulis; made by Tucker Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.

Driving America
 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

58.62.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Evening News Association.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)
Rubber (Material)
Leather

Dimensions

Height: 64.5 in

Width: 80 in

Length: 221 in

Wheelbase: 130 in

Specifications

Make & Model: 1948 Tucker 48 sedan

Maker: Tucker Corporation, Chicago, Illinois

Engine: horizontally opposed 6, overhead valves, 334 cubic inches

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Height: 80 inches

Wheelbase: 130 inches

Width: 64.5 inches

Overall length: 219 inches

Weight: 4235 pounds

Horsepower: 166 at 3200 revolutions per minute

Pounds per horsepower: 36.5

Price: $2,450

Average 1948 wage: $2,933 per year

Time you'd work to buy this car: about 10 months

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