$2.9 Million 1948 Tucker Torpedo - BARRETT-JACKSON 50th ANNIVERSARY

To mark Barrett-Jackson’s half-century in business, in this special series we’re taking a look back at few extraordinary vehicles from the past 50 years - these vehicles led the charge across the block - making history, setting records, altering and ultimately reshaping the marketplace.
The upward trend continued in 2012, with the Scottsdale Auction hitting over $92 million in sales, with 270,000 attending, a new record. Highlights included the sale of a 1948 Tucker Torpedo from the Ron Pratte Collection, one of only 51 built, which sold for $2.915 million, a new record for a Tucker.
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Welcome to the Official Barrett-Jackson KZbin channel. Since 1971 we’ve been the leader of collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. We’re here to celebrate the love of all things cars, taking our audience on the road and up onto the auction block. Subscribe to the Barrett-Jackson KZbin Channel for definitive coverage and highlights of The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions - as well as a look behind the scenes, exciting in-house builds and more. We can’t wait to share the Barrett-Jackson experience with you!

[@rickbailey189]

Preston Tucker raised the bar so high the BIG 3 were absolutely humiliated so they decided to crush the man's dream and were successful in doing so. The car is way ahead of its time for 1948. Gorgeous model.

[@reginaldfitzpatrick8681]

Its honestly disgusting what happened to the Tucker automobile company. But to Preston Tuckers credit and that of his crew, they did what they set out to do. And even though the car was never mass produced, look at the legacy it achieved and the value of the cars today!

[@rickbailey189]

@@reginaldfitzpatrick8681 Just think for a moment of all the automobile companies which sprang up in the early 1900's but died before 2000. Had they survived the 20th C, just imagine all of the other beautiful models we Americans COULD'VE seen on the roads and highways and even driven. We were robbed. Greed and envy has been the greatest obstacle to progress here in America--Rick Bailey

[@reginaldfitzpatrick8681]

@@Wooley689 perfect example. Almost fifteen years after and the Corvair was still a piece of junk. Actually in all honesty a cool car in its own right 😄. But still, the Tucker with disk brakes, almost 200hp and the style and safety features it offered in 1948 was way ahead of its time. And I'm an Oldsmobile fanatic, and I cant help but appreciate what the Tucker represented against the big 3.

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

They need not have feared the car, it had already been jinxed by someone stating it was ahead of its time. Just about every car in automotive history that had these words associated with it was a definite sales failure. The Companies even stopped using this term because of this fact. Promoter: This car is ahead of its time. Buyers: I am not going to buy it. (Insert reason here.) More than likely because they thought they would either have problems getting parts for it when needed or these parts would be Ex-Pen-Sive.

[@UmmYeahOk]

And yet they completely ignored Tesla, and allowed them to become a huge success. They’re only now trying to catch up.

[@dannytomen5512]

In 2003 I was passing through Sturgis, SD during the bike rally and I saw this small car museum. I stopped in and there was Mrs. Tuckers “Tucker” sitting there in all its unrestored glory. Something I will never forget!

[@NotOnDrugs]

Gorgeous car, Gorgeous lady.

[@tedtheodorelogan5993]

That was Francis Ford Coppola that directed the movie, and he had two. My dad was the groundskeeper of his estate for 20 years and I remember them as a child.

[@robertcohen8554]

Yes, and I'm the president of the United States.

[@z.bongerman1062]

Coppola directed and Lucas executive produced. And it is reported that they both bought Tucker cars during that time.

[@raould860]

Thats a great first hand story, wish I was there....can you tell us the second Tuckers color? I know the one he drove with Jay Leno was a light metallic blue...

[@bln3576]

Tucker a man and his dream was a great movie

[@kokolovitch56]

Bridges did a great job in that movie.

[@pugsunset1]

My Dad worked for Tucker and helped with the movie. I knew about the movie 10 years before it came out.

[@mikethatguy27]

Car belongs in a museum on display far out of reach of people. Absolutely beautiful piece of history.🙌✌

[@paulmezhir8354]

The Tucker was not assembled in Detroit. It was built in Chicago in a WW2-era Dodge truck plant.

[@glennmcgee1729]

Yes. My dad got a ride around their plant in a Tucker when they were doing a promotion for the general public.

[@pugsunset1]

Yes, my Dad worked for Tucker and it was Chicago.

[@citibear57]

What an incredible car, and an impressive piece of automotive history. Congratulations to Barrett-Jackson on your 50th Anniversary! Thank you for the many dreams you have given me over the years 👍

[@rumaabba8875]

But its not as rare as they told.Enjoy that 'm4deup' rewriten history of mr Tucker. The truth =》 Tucker is a criminal still , if he has no frend in deepstate his criminal cases will be expose widely

[@stevethomas760]

Years ago my daughter was marching in the Tucker Day parade (Tucker, GA). There was a car there unlike anything I'd ever seen. Asked the guy standing beside it what kind of car it was. "It's a Tucker", I thought hell I know we're in Tucker who makes this car? Funny & now. Owned by the Cofer family.

[@BigBirdy100]

Side trivia: Oldsmar Florida, just to the left of Tampa on Tampa bay, named for the man who started Oldsmobile.

[@Vinegar_Stroke]

Here in Australia we were lucky enough that a guy bought one along to a local car show on a Wednesday night and parked right where everyone walked past so we got to see it up close and personal. Surely the only one in Australia!

[@jayjaynella4539]

Wow! When and where please, I live in sMellbourne.

[@Vinegar_Stroke]

@@jayjaynella4539 that was in Melbourne at the Wandin car show that ran every 3rd Wednesday night from October to March pre covid. It hasn't started up again yet but provided they find enough volunteers it will

[@jayjaynella4539]

@@Vinegar_Stroke Thanks, I will do some research.

[@Vinegar_Stroke]

Turns out there is a guy local who I believe is this man, he has several!

[@TheGamingGeek2001]

Tucker #1043, believe it or not, once sat neglected, repainted a hodge-podge of rose pink and white in order to be used as a promotional piece for an Illinois golf range. Car was successfully restored to factory spec with its "Waltz Blue" Paintjob, and, as the video shows, sold for $2.65 million (2.915 million with buyer's premium) in 2012

[@pacificbaitchunk4126]

So B/J got almost $300,000 for selling it? That's ridiculous.

[@rickbailey189]

The Tucker was a highly "aerodynamic" automobile for 1948. The body on the car displays a high degree of airflow aerodynamics for that era. Just the "FACT" that it was a "rear engine" automobile was revolutionary. This would've allowed bullet nose or torpedo front end from firewall to nose thus reducing air friction thereby increasing air flow over the car's body. Corvette did it...but it took 15 years later to do just that. My fellow readers, had the Tucker succeeded in the 50's, 60's and beyond, automotive styling would've competed easily with the likes of all the European auto marques starting with Porsche and Ferrari. Our loss, Europe's gain.

[@johnsmith1474]

No, it doesn't display any such thing with respect to aerodynamics. Your analogy to Corvette is unlearned. It's a big buffoon of a car with some interesting details, ugly as sin overall.

[@my2cents225]

@@johnsmith1474 You're quite rude, a person of little quality.

[@rjr1227]

There is a Tucker in my home town..Lincoln Nebraska at the Speedway Museum....off the chart place. From lunch boxes...to pedal cars...motors...and some 1 of a kind autos...

[@citibear57]

Hi Randy, I was not familiar with your hometown museum, but I just checked out their website, and it looks like an awesome place to visit one day!

[@SibKiss-hc7zn]

The first time I got to work in San Francisco California I saw a couple of these Tuckers on the highway and wondered what they were and the unusual colors of seafoam green and blue made them stand out from other cars!

[@jfu5222]

The overhead view from around 4:00 is, in my opinion, the Tucker's best angle. If I had one, I'd have to build a two story garage so I could look down at it!

[@johnsmith1474]

Just keep the lights off.

[@tapper701]

Odd looking vehicle, has history - would rather have the 2.9 million ...

[@luisgordillo1695]

there is no looking down on this car! 😎😎

[@jfu5222]

@@luisgordillo1695 I looked at the video again, I think we're both right,

[@rontroy3843]

Amazing cars, inside and out. This is the next best thing to seeing them in person, which we did once at AACA HQ.

[@joyr36]

My dream car. The design is so classy.

[@beezball]

Tucker didn't do what he set out to, but history remembers him well, and that's the most important thing.

[@LordRumshi]

The Tucker 48 torpedo was most certainly ahead of its time but is a shame the car wasn't able to to have its proper time in the spotlight.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

The tucker Torpedo a much better investment than any new car costing 2.9 million USD. It also looks much better as well.

[@BigBirdy100]

Name a new car that costs 2.9mil. 😶

[@peanuts1173]

American classic worth way more!

[@noiisserpmii]

I saw a Tucker back in 2019. It was green & it was cool to see a piece of history.

[@robertcohen8554]

You saw a replica 🤣

[@noiisserpmii]

@@robertcohen8554 really? How do u know?! I doubt a replica would get into a concours show

[@robertcohen8554]

@@noiisserpmii I'm playing😋 There are replicas too floating around though.

[@freebird1ification]

@@noiisserpmii they had a green one out at the museum at stone mountain in georgia many years ago

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

@@robertcohen8554 Interested. Who made these reps, do you know how many?

[@thebrain7065]

There's a Silver Tucker on display in the Smithsonian in D.C. well...at least in 2017 when I was there. I snapped a few pic of it while I was there.

[@dogsense3773]

Back in the 80s there was a yellow tucker in the presidio army post,just last year I found out it was tucker#41 but is now painted black as original color thanks!

[@stevenreynolds2327]

Ole Tucker himself probably never seen that kind of money

[@robertcohen8554]

Anything old turns heads...99.999% of the population has ZERO idea what a Tucker is. Facts.

[@aoclive6710]

I love cars but never heard of this one , my personnel opinion it belongs in its era .

[@vissitorsteve]

In another decade this car will be selling for over 5 million. Great investment...

[@ronpaulson6932]

I sold a 50 Buick to an older fella years ago and he told me a Tucker story. When he was a young man he was in the Navy and his ship docked in Ca. He needed a car and bought a Tucker at a used car lot, for $300 if I remember correctly. He said the lot had a 30 day guarantee where you could return the car if you changed your mind. He loved the car but his buddies razzed him so bad for having an odd looking car that he took it back and traded it for a 50 Ford. That has to be the worst car trade in history!

[@kirbyvanduzer6565]

I had to stop watching this auction I didn’t like it when they weren’t showing what I liked but when they finally did then they were teasing me the struggle is real lol

[@Flies2FLL]

About two weeks ago I stood next to the Tucker in the museum in Reno, Nevada. -I really think that VAG of Germany should buy the rights to this name, and build a high-end luxury four door sedan around a rear mounted 500 hp Porsche 9A1 engine. Porsche could even build their first factory off of German soil in Detroit in order to produce these. Ferdinand Pieche would have done this if he had thought about it; He pretty much did everything else~

[@RyanWehr]

It’s looks brand new!!

[@bigguy1403]

I love barrett jackson...think I'll apply for the security sticker girl job lol.

[@timothydockery534]

There's one at the new Savoy Museum in Cartersville Georgia. And it is simply outstanding it is green. The tag on it says 1 44

[@BigBirdy100]

Good to know. Interesting. See comment above about Tucker ga.

[@Jaybrown223]

I loved driving this car on the game LA noire.

[@tkreitler]

What do they mean at 1:55 by "driver's seat in the middle of the car"? The driver's seat is not in the middle like a McLaren F1. I'm guessing they mean the middle of the car lengthwise.

[@TompComp]

Yeah I figured they mean midway in the wheelbase

[@tspence6671]

The preview video was wrong in many ways. The “concept car” which was a scale model had the driver seat in the middle. The “production” cars that this was one of, did not.

[@dylanpage4106]

Anyone else notice the guy in the plaid shirt just grilling the buyer 😂

[@johnbehneman1546]

Very impressive!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@DiHandley]

Wow! Just wow!

[@riverakers]

Just think where the automotive industry would have been now if Tucker and his ideas had been nurtured and promoted instead of destroyed!

[@johnsmith1474]

Nowhere in particular, it wasn't that innovative.

[@riverakers]

@@johnsmith1474 Wrong,apparently you were not around at the time his cars came out.

[@landestafford614]

A fabulous piece of automotive history, at a fantastic price!

[@BigBirdy100]

You mean astronomical.

[@Jim-gy5vf]

Tucker got the shaft for being better than everyone else as a new comer and government helped them do it

[@reginaldfitzpatrick8681]

The power of the golden rule! The ones who own the gold make the rules.

[@luigivincenz3843]

Yup. The Big 3 colluded against someone who wasn't one of the boys'...

[@vassa1972]

Awesome

[@fanoboss]

GREAT NEWS VIDEO !

[@gasgod7404]

Saw one yesterday.

[@gasgod7404]

In the process of being restored. MI

[@b.abrackus6403]

These were beautiful vehicles! Let me be clear on that..But they didn't run worth a damm...they had a franklin helicopter engine, noisy and prone to overheating..and the rear suspension was another disaster..a torsolastic design that began to sag when the rubber aged..and nothing available from anyone to remedy the problem..some Tuckers cars got retrofitted to coil springs in the rear.... One gentleman described it best...Tucker basically put into production a prototype vehicle...Preston Tucker was strapped for cash and simply couldn't wait till these cars had the bugs worked out them them...l still love the looks of them though..

[@mossmiller]

On Jay Leno's garage, he visits Francis Ford Coppola and they drive a Tucker around Coppola's Vineyard. The car overheated, anti-freeze dripping out the back. If they had been able to go into production, they would have many problems to sort out, much like any car that has advanced technology. But one issue I wonder about is the rear engine, rear-wheel-drive, which on a large car like this might cause sudden oversteer on slippery roads in winter driving. Plus, at $4,000 ($45,000 in today's money) they would be competing with Cadillac, whose '48 models had impressive new styling and then a new OHV engine in '49.

[@Johnny-um6sd]

Tucker) a mad genius) ahead of his time

[@MiguelGonzalez-gp2zz]

KZbin is showing the Movie Tucker for free!

[@vika0194]

Why would you spoil the price in the title….

[@munk3ymxn587]

My favorite car. Saw it once in the classic car show. It's the Marlboro red one But they're wrong there's 12 cars left in existence.

[@ajaxa9]

According to the Tucker grandsons Tucker KZbin site I believe there are 48 maybe 49 Still in existence.

[@orbitty1354]

The movie stated 46 but then they took 2 wrecked Tuckers to add one more to 47. There is a web page that tracks every Tucker ever built.

[@rickbailey189]

The biggest (?) I have swirling around in my head is: how would the car have "evolved" moving forward into the 1950's and beyond since the car was "ahead of its time?" Could the Tucker Automobile have maintained sales to be competitive with all other car manufacturers? Would Tucker have eventually created trucks?

[@eldiablo8019]

He would have made EVs in the 1950s. :=)

[@rickbailey189]

@@eldiablo8019 Actually the electric vehicle was already invented and in the early 1900's maybe 1910's or 20's the electric vehicle was popular with women NOT with men. Husbands did NOT want their wives manually cranking the engine due to potential injury to her arm or hand.

[@mrwatsonn]

Didn’t the car sell for 2.65m on the block? Why are they saying 2.9m? What did I miss?

[@joshuaharrelson572]

I believe they include the percentage that goes to the auction in the price in thw intros etc.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Buyer premium

[@raould860]

Not George Lucas.... Francis Ford Coppolla made the movie Tucker and Francis owns the 2 Tuckers on his vinyard estate and they leak coolant like crazy!

[@opera93]

Thanks, interestingly, great Dramas * & monies,…. Does seem to be some good ideas here.. automobile’s, etc. …

[@gabrielruvalcaba2310]

What a beauty.. and well worth it..

[@danarcotta1283]

Actually, the big 3 were on his side. He was so much of a perfectionist that he became his own worst enemy

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

I had one of these back in the day in highschool and put a roots blower from a GreyHound bus on it... that sucker would lift the wheels 3 feet off the ground half way down the track and ran 10's in the quarter!!

[@Hanzyscure]

Not a true story.

[@sharpone6441]

Put a 100 dollar bill on the dash bet you can’t grab it 😝

[@robertcohen8554]

🤣

[@maxboya]

Just said no reserve. Yet cars are sold on reserve. Way to counteract yourself.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍👍

[@onenikkione]

I'm more like Leno, I would want to drive it (not daily but often).

[@fordfairlane662dr]

We seen 4 of these cars in Hershey Pennsylvania

[@donnm6811]

I miss Spanky and his wife at these auctions.

[@rickbailey189]

Is there another Mr. Preston Tucker out there somewhere who would like to "step up to the plate?"

[@michellevesque2130]

Like him or not Elon Musk has to be the new Preston Tucker !

[@NotOnDrugs]

So that's where GM got the idea for the stingray back glass

[@chuckfinley4757]

Not sure why they're posting KZbin videos 10 years later.

[@BarrettJacksonTV]

We're highlighting some of our extraordinary sales for our 50th anniversary this year!

[@chuckfinley4757]

@@BarrettJacksonTV Um. Wasn't the first year 1971? Making 2021 the 50th anniversary but the 51st year?

[@raould860]

Classic cars, huge classic part of auto history....you not a car guy??

[@chuckfinley4757]

@@raould860 Guy?

[@HR-wd6cw]

Well I think I read that there was only maybe 50 of these made, making them extremely rare, probably even at that time. So a $2.9M price tag for one of 50 of them doesn't surprise me at all. Even a limited run of 500-600 of some cars is still considered quite rare and valuable/collectable, especially when you consider not-so-successful cars can still manage to sell tens of thousands per year.

[@Johnclark300]

People love to waist their money on car not even worth a quarter of that.

[@BigBirdy100]

Be more concerned about the dementia. Waste.

[@jamesreckling6697]

Am I missing something? Looks like it went for 2.65m not 2.9M.

[@jonnyrox116]

Plus the buyer premium it comes out to roughly $2.91 million

[@GNXperimental]

Barret Jackson adds the rest as a fee.

[@jamesdennis2058]

From what I read. it was never formally named as “Tucker Torpedo.” It was officially called a “Tucker 48” when production began

[@adamharris2674]

What am I missing. Auction said it sold for 2.65 million. Caption says 2.9 million. That's a large difference to a laymen like me lol.

[@charliefunboy5210]

There’s a 10% buyers premium. That takes it to 2.9

[@blackrifle6736]

*That $250,00 "Premium" goes to B-J for hosting the car at auction. Premium fees are what keeps them in business. Cheers!*

[@jacobeakright7834]

Wonder when another one will become available

[@robertcohen8554]

Never. These cars were built from refuse parts.

[@boataxe4605]

When Coppola passes away.

[@marksuva1771]

horrible job with all the audio. too quiet to hear clearly. yet you hear phjhhhhh and mustache noise. better work is expected.

[@tyrssen1]

The Tucker 48 was not called "Torpedo," if memory serves. The "Torpedo" was a design used for Brazilian cars and looked more like ... well, a torpedo. I could of course be wrong, feel free to correct if you know better.

[@zarstar1576]

Celeb rare nice

[@ptremulis]

My Uncle Alex designed this.

[@MechanicalSculptor]

Yes, we’ve all got one of those uncles. My uncle Burt shot Kennedy 🤪

[@dave5833]

I’ve said this before but it bears repeating, want to sell you Classic, none better than Barrett-Jackson. Happy New Year

[@mikethomas6120]

Ya but they only allow so many cars into their auction. I had a family member sell them a two owner 1940’s Chevy deluxe that was in mint condition with only 39k original miles and all B.J. Did was low ball them with a $3k wholesale buy out. They said it wouldn’t qualify for the auction.

[@dave5833]

@@mikethomas6120 thanks for your reply Barrett- Jackson seems has some form of standard. You obviously didn’t know, I didn’t know but I would take my classic to Mecum for a second opinion,

[@mikethomas6120]

@@dave5833 I would just sell my classic on being a trailer and cut out the middle man auction house altogether. Bring a trailer has way lower fees and way more eye balls.

[@dave5833]

@@mikethomas6120 thanks for your reply I didn’t know that thanks

[@kiisu74]

@@mikethomas6120 Absolutely. BaT is fantastic for the incredible varriety of cars and the knowledge of the community.

[@robdisner]

Assembled in Chicago, not Michigan. And Coppola made the movie and owned the Tuckers, not Lucas!

[@Latham74]

Damn Steve, holding onto that hairline for dear life.

[@althunder4269]

That price makes no sense for an oddball old car that was never really any good to begin with.

[@raould860]

Its the history, and the struggle it represents.... and a few other things not understood by some.

[@numlockkilla]

Most expencive american made car.

[@robertcohen8554]

Not quite. That would be Duesenberg.

[@jimq9065]

not even close

[@tylerward341]

Do you know anyone looking for the tucker leather luggage set with original boxes?

[@csi1392]

IF TUCKER COULD HAVE SOLD A CAR FOR THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A 49

[@Zappa943]

What's with the hand signs?

[@lemmykilmister873]

👌🏼😎 🥃

[@Treeplanter73]

Why not make a modern equivalent of it if it's so great? Just wondering

[@robertcohen8554]

Because it sucks.

[@edwardcox2840]

A restomod ?

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

@@edwardcox2840 Since it had a transmission from a Cord, the correct engines to put in the resto-mod would be MOPAR. Cord sold body dies (Casts to make body fenders if I remember correctly.) to Grahm. Grahm was bought by Dodge/Chrysler for the Company's truck.

[@edwardcox2840]

Are you related to chris benoit

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

@@edwardcox2840 I don't know. I'm from Mermentau Louisiana.

[@reinventingthemonkey]

To bad they were able to crush the Tucker Corporation.

[@mortsolomon4603]

Um I heard $2.6 million not 2.9. WTF?

[@michellevesque2130]

+10% commission...

[@charliefunboy5210]

10% buyers premium. That takes it to 2.9. Just like buying a house, they get their share, lol

[@zarstar1576]

4 milli nxt auction

[@BigBirdy100]

Couldn't understand anything the auctioneer said. How does anybody? Seems counterproductive.

[@nojunkwork5735]

Two million nine hundred fifteen thousand dollars? The hammer dropped at two million six hundred fifty thousand. Old Craig must be getting senile.

[@TheGamingGeek2001]

$2.65 million...plus the 10% buyer premium ($265,000)...equaling $2.915 million

[@MechanicalSculptor]

2.6 + 10% buyers premium.

[@MechanicalSculptor]

Oooops, someone beat me to it.

[@shizz812]

WORK COMMENT WORK WALK RUN JOG

[@jesussavescars807]

What If one had such a car sitting in a barn 😁😂🤷‍♂️

[@KenanTurkiye]

I have high hopes a couple are just waiting for us somewhere sometime. :)

[@boataxe4605]

They are all accounted for.

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@boataxe4605 You just ruined our party. :)

[@1983dmd]

Why is Steve Davis always wearing sunglasses ? Medical condition or what?

[@BarrettJacksonTV]

Yes 😎

[@imagrandpa]

Where is jay?

[@gumby3123]

Crush just for being a innovative""! it was just wrong "! Shouldn't have never went to court " and state senator's Should not got involved "! That's the problem when you get money hungry people involved and don't care about safety " and a better CAR"!

[@Nurzhigit8]

Tucker Torpedo

[@joe-hp4nk]

A fool and their money are easily parted.

[@zarstar1576]

How much new

[@gashousegorillas1]

265k commission..........sick

[@bobearl7859]

About 10 years ago I seen one of them go to the scrap yard bet you the guy didn't know what he had

[@abba3642]

Guess ron burgundy can drive in the trunk Five gimme gimme bill gates

[@phumes4783]

Steve - what's with the hair? LOL - just shave your head dude.

[@robertcohen8554]

Steve loves cars so much, he's going for the half landau roof look 🤗

[@robertcohen8554]

Duesenberg Model J was far, far better than this.