The Cyclops Car: The History of the Tucker 48 Torpedo

A classic car connaisseur tells the general history, rise, and fall of the Tucker Corporation, set up by eccentric businessman Preston Tucker. Preston wanted to best the established American car industry by offering the most revolutionairy postwar car; the innovative, safe and radical Tucker 48, nicknamed the Tucker Torpedo!
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Enjoy!

[@EdsAutoReviews]

As you'l probably understand, the story has a lot more details than what I tried to cram in 22 and a half minutes. I try to stay away from the colored conspiracy theories. But if I have to give it my thoughts: I think it goes both ways. I genuinly think Preston was in it for the cars (and make money off of it) and that the Tucker failure was in fact a combination of unfortunate events. It says a lot that they won the trail over the SEC. But we should not forget that as soon as things start to go down, and you already collected 20 million, it can be very tempting to just take it and flee. I don't think the Big Three actively wanted to put Tucker out of business, in fact, Ford gave Tucker a load of steering wheels for instance. I think they knew better, with the reasons I told you in the last chapter in their mind.

[@gpalmerify]

I tend to be a conspiracy theorist when it comes to giant corporations, especially when innovative forward thinking entrepreneurs capture the public imagination as Tucker did. Always thought of AMC as the Big 3's hedge against monopoly divestiture, they were poor enough and niche not to pose a threat to market share. If that conspiracy theory is true, the Big 3 didn't need Tucker to survive. Always enjoy your content and commentary Ed!

[@ChimeraActual]

I'm generally adverse to conspiracy theories, on the other hand I used to work for GM. GM has always had a huge advertising arm as well as a powerful lobbying group. What goes on in the upper echelons of GM is held as tight as any state secret. The one thing we do know about GM is that they are focused on making money and controlling the economy of their industry. I do not have proof that GM used its lobbying agents to initiate or otherwise assist the SEC trial, but boy does that feel like GM to me. GM has been described as an octopus, each arm has a semi-independance, it is likely that only a small group knew about it and only one person was in contact. Whew, does that sound crackpot or what? Still I think it's likely. GM's advertising arm has all the power it needs to start a rumor, especially when the independent agents are fearful of losing a client. Even the dealers must have played a part. A customer comes in to look at the cars and innocently asks the salesman what they think of Tucker. The salesman has been given a script and knows what to say. And yes, it is hard to create a manufacturing endeavor from the ground up. But all entrenched companies want to limit competition, even hair dressers and barbers. Could it be that the many failures and sales of auto manufacturers over the years were helped along by competitors? Most US citizens would consider that fair game. Yes, a crackpot theory to be sure. BTW, the Brits seem to be quite capable of doing it to themselves. Why do I think the above is likely? I was there when GM dismantled New Departure Hyatt roller bearings. It was not pretty, not aboveboard, and not fair.

[@jaxkills4cash832]

What are the movie clips you used

[@joermnyc]

@@jaxkills4cash832 Tucker: The Man and His Dream, directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1988.

[@georgethomas7814]

what happened to the 50 cars that did get made ???

[@kevinbarry71]

Fun fact; the US attorney who tried to prosecute Tucker was later convicted of corruption and sent to prison

[@MarinCipollina]

An interesting coda to this story.

[@RustOnWheels]

@@astafford8865 Or a corrupt grifter ‘businessman’ as president. A Biff Tannen. That would never happen in this decade.

[@demonstructie]

@@RustOnWheels I know right. By the way, how's your record high gas prices, 40 year high inflation, two negative quarters of gdp, proxy war with Russia, border crisis with record high illegal border crossings and enough fentanyl being smuggled into the country to kill every single American, and baby formula and a children's medication shortages doing?

[@taylorebenguard6998]

reminds me of something that happened to nissians ceo recently in japan proof that american is or was one of the most free/fair countries in the world

[@SergeantExtreme]

Just looked him up. Go figure: he was a Democrat. Corrupt to the core since 1828.

[@130rapid]

As huge Tucker fan, I must write THANK YOU! :D Your scenario "What if?" is quite possible, as history of Crosley showed.

[@donaldcurbow210]

Your right. What a car from someone that really likes old cars.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

It was a pleasure working on this episode!

[@jamesbehrje4279]

Tucker Carlson is a doosh!!!

[@frankandrew6703]

Jeff Bridges starred in the terrific 1988 movie 'Tucker:The man and his dream'. Loved the Tuckers ever since then!

[@WestBestBound]

Something interesting for me is my great grandmother and grandfather at one point got to drive one for a test drive, and they loved it and really wanted one before it went bust. I got to talk about it before she passed away and although it wasn’t a long drive they loved it in almost every way, with her only complaint being that the front trunk was to small for there taste and could be bigger. I still really really wish I could drive one and see if she was right.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

I also read that those who tested the car, found it to be a very fine car!

[@flouisbailey]

My 3x grandfather was in Union Army of Civil War. He never saw a Tucker.

[@KCKingdomCreateGreatTrekAgain]

Just think if he hadn’t been run out of business he might have been able to make a car with a front trunk with more room.

[@MrLeslloyd]

Looks like a big up and over and same to retrieve your luggage,most probably a negative feature.

[@1938721]

@@KCKingdomCreateGreatTrekAgain

[@mi-t-mouth3413]

My father worked at Tucker. he said the problem that caused its' failure was that Tucker could not decide on the options and had the beast made with multiple kinds of options and features. Like 8 different types of radios of every size and feature. Same applied to every part of the vehicle which made it impossible to manufacture or sell. Detroit, rightly so, buried him in the grave of his own making.

[@andoletube]

There's nothing "rightly so" about that. If Tucker couldn't make his company profitable, that's one thing, but there was no need to destroy him personally. The competition alone could have buried the Tucker company.

[@UberLummox]

Wait what?

[@ChimeraActual]

That was the scuttlebutt, but at the same time, and until quite recently, GM offered a book of options that they offered if you were willing to wait while they built it.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

I have seen it before with various other car start ups, it's easy to design a car, but it's not so easy to design a car ready for production.

[@Hartley_Hare]

That seems fairly punitive. He tried something that didn't work - he wasn't a war criminal.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Interesting note - the Franklin Engine Company was purchased by Tucker and owned by the Tucker family until 1961 when it was sold to Aero Industries. The company was then sold to the government of Poland and Franklin Aircraft Engines still makes aero engines in Grudziądz, Poland. So in a tangential way part of the Tucker business still exists.

[@thisoldbelair]

Excellent coverage of the Tucker story. You know i’ve been seeing toys of the Tucker 48 in stores lately. For only having built 50 cars and for having gone out of business when my grandfather was in elementary school, the Tucker sure is iconic and legendary in its own way.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

It's interesting that you say this. There have been so many people that throughout history started so many 'revolutionairy' car (companies). Why is it that this one is so well known, even after 70 years?

[@thisoldbelair]

@@EdsAutoReviews such a good question. Specifically for the Tucker, I think there’s a few factors. Firstly it is such a unique vehicle. There’s absolutely nothing else like it - the third headlight, the rear engine, the exterior design- it looks nothing like the cars of the 40s. Second, I think the movie made about it kind of imprinted it in the publics mind, kind of like how Ford v. Ferrari with Matt Damon and Christian Bale made the public aware of Ken Miles for the first time in decades, and now his legacy will live on for a long long time.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Ed, Preston Tucker was a fascinating man who, I think, got a raw deal!!! His car was innovative & ahead of it's time!! Merry Christmas to you & your family!!! 🎄⛄🤶

[@mervynstent1578]

Was it? Or just all hype?

[@scootergeorge7089]

If the Tucker 48 was, as you and many more claim, "Ahead of its time" why has there yet to be a similar design appear and succeed? A large sedan with a rear mounted, liquid cooled engine. It's going on 75 years since Tucker folded. Still waiting!

[@john1703]

@@scootergeorge7089 Yes, the problem is not having the radiator at the front. Skoda learned this with the 1000 MB which became the Estelle. Similarly, it has taken some long time to perfect the cooling of rear engined buses.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@130rapid]

​@@john1703 The overheating wasn't problem on Franklin (O-355) engine. The radiator was placed between engine & rear bumper and it works pretty well. There was NO huge 'vacuum pocket' behind streamlined Tucker in move, which can make troubles with cooling on rear-engine bus. Tucker test drivers, which squezed this lemon long & hard, complained multiple blowing tires and collisions with birds. The car was simply too fast.

[@donedwards6414]

The car was way ahead of its time and an amazing feat of engineering for that era. An excellent and entertaining report!

[@captlazer5509]

I've seen three Tuckers, first time at an auto show in Toronto. It was started up and sounded a bit like a air cooled VW beetle but louder. The interior and dash board was very much a decade or more ahead of its time. Second time in Walnut Creek CA where it was just driving down the road. Rolled by like it was a new car. Third time at Francis Ford Coppola's winery in Napa, CA. He has two in fact. In 2002 you could see one up close. Yeah they are prone to leak coolant / oil but its like seeing a post war Popular Mechanic's magazine future concept but it actually exists. If you get a chance to view one, do it. Great job Ed !

[@alexclement7221]

Leaking coolant? Pretty difficult thing for an AIR COOLED ENGINE to do.....

[@captlazer5509]

@@alexclement7221 all the Tucker engines were converted from air cooled to liquid cool. Ed even stated. The engine wasn't originally engineered to be liquid cooled when it was designed for light helicopters. I mentioned the VW air cooled engine as it sounds vaguely similar to the Tucker engine. The Tucker engine definitely does not sound like a V8.

[@Modeltnick]

Well done video. Most of his cars are still in existence.

[@alanholck7995]

My grandfather worked for Tucker. He was the foreman of the interior upholstery team. Had been an upholsterer for Ford in south Chicago before WW2.

[@kenbower6611]

Annual design changes needed to survive? Tell that to VW. Great video about a great car.

[@Hendo56]

My grandfather had a Packard Dealership in Frederick, MD. He was one of those who signed up to be a Tucker dealer, too.

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

15:00 - One nit to pick with your otherwise fine video. You brought up a still picture of the early Kaiser when you mentioned that some car "makers" were actually scam artists or fly-by-night businesses. This might lead people to think K-F was one of them; in reality, they were a very well-connected business. Kaiser had great success building "Liberty Ship" transport vessels during the second World War and planned to use this industrial expertise to make his new car. His firm survived into the mid-50s, and they even had overseas operations that were around in the 60s (although not selling cars in the United States). They even owned Willys-Jeep for a while. Eventually they folded for many of the reasons you suggested Tucker would have, but they were undoubtedly a legit business.

[@888junkcarsbuyingteam8]

The passion he had was amazing. In fact, I named my little boy Preston because of that!

[@mtdavis9568]

A family in Chico California showed me and let me sit in their Tucker 48 which was safely garaged on their car ranch and was featured in the movie "Tucker". They also had a score of Auburn Cords and Duesenbergs which they custom repaired and maintained in their shops. All beautiful and unusual vehicles.

[@ChristopherOvrebo]

My mom showed me the movie with Jeff Bridges when I was a kid, so it was always in my mind that this car was something special. A few years ago I went to a museum that had one, but the tour had already started. Someone from the museum was nice enough to let me join the tour anyways. As the docent walked me through, he made a stop at the room with the Tucker. He said he'd be right back while he turned the lights on. That 10-15 seconds he left me alone with the car meant the world to me

[@NikkiWrightVGM]

Great combination: Ed's Auto Reviews and the LA Noire soundtrack ❤

[@frogswurld]

Great vid. And I believe 48 of those Tucker's still exist. There were 59 chassis numbers including test bed car and unfinished vehicles (sold off at factory auction). One of them (#1057) was even going to be a 1959 model year design. A couple of the unfinished finally did get done after auction. Several unfinished are just lost and 6 Tuckers have been destroyed. Tucker's story is a hell of a tale.

[@scootergeorge7089]

51 is the number typically cited.

[@jessesteinbar]

We have one Tucker in Brazil, the engine went to a museum and the body is in a museum too, but with a Cadillac chassis underneath

[@kenchristie9214]

According to the film Tucker: The Man And His Dream, there were 46 Tuckers registered as of 1988. In 2012 a Tucker was sold at an auction for 1.6 million dollars. Producer of the film, Francis Ford Coppola, has a Tucker in his collection.

[@kerblammo1600]

Frogswurld is correct, 58 cars plus the first unnumbered prototype had at least STARTED being constructed however only 51 are considered COMPLETED. Even that number is contested as some of those were lacking engines or transmissions at liquidation (1050 lacked both), and 1027 was completed but wrecked during testing (as seen in the movie.)

[@scootergeorge7089]

@@kerblammo1600 - 51 is the most accepted number.

[@craigyeoman8721]

Hi Ed. I got to sit in the Australian Tucker at a car show in Kerang Victoria. Bucket list stuff. The owner drives the car regularly including long drives in the country.

[@heathledger4506]

Merry Christmas, Edward!

[@thewanderingpinto5979]

Loved the movie,great story. I have seem a few in museums. My biggest shock was seeing one drive into a car cruise night in Waukesha Wisconsin about 10 years ago. It was amazing to see one running and driving on the road!!

[@cloudrdr]

Really Good Job here, Ed. It is a bear to be so far ahead of all the slower people who hold the power. The car was a marvel. The motion picture was a great eye opener for so many. And the video I just saw put a lot of meat on the bones of the story that will undoubted continue to intrigue for decades more. Ed's rendition will be a valuable addition to the canonical material of the Preston Tucker story. Again, great job. Thanks for this and ALL the terrific videos which drag me into reverie every time.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Thank you for this great compliment!!

[@willcrockett6707]

Hey Ed! I’ve been in the factory many times that that Tucker was built in. It was the production home of the Ford trimotor aircraft engine and it’s currently the world headquarters and US manufacturing facility for Tootsie Roll. The Tootsie Roll folks also have a beautiful Ford trimotor engine on display inside. Very cool building, which is dated now of course, but at the time a super high tech facility.

[@ethanol1586]

A new episode of automotive history? Thank you for the great Christmas gift!

[@donalddodson7365]

Ed, (or whoever you are ;-) I really enjoy the range of automobile related episodes you produce. You have a relaxed narrative style, do a lot of research, find relevant photographs and even interesting sound effects and music. Thank you! (I didn't realize you came over to the USA in the fall, and hope you had a great adventure. I will catch up on those episodes over the weekend.)

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Thank you for reaching out Donald! (Also through email!)

[@KCKingdomCreateGreatTrekAgain]

Love the Tucker’s! The blue is my favorite color but the red is good too.

[@gpalmerify]

Great video Ed! My dad told me this story before the Hollywood movie was released. When I watched the film, one of the last scenes was a court scene where he basically predicted the dominance of the Japanese in US markets. If I remember correctly, Tucker sold the rights to the Russians for a torsion bar suspension they used in tanks. Thanks again for this video Ed, it's my favorite you've put out. Merry Christmas

[@thedextertech22]

I have a tucker club near me and tucker #3 and #7 make regular appearances at the local car shows and concourse d' elegance. Absolutely love the car and you really have to see it in person to really appreciate it.

[@Clickyman_YT]

It's that time of the year again. It wouldn't be complete day without Ed's Auto Reviews

[@amanx502]

Thanks Ed, for everything you do! Consider an episode on the evolution of Ford’s J-car/later versions of the GT40

[@volktales7005]

Another great job by Ed. The Tucker was a pretty sweet machine. Funny enough seatbelts were not included...

[@seiph80]

Right! They were supposed to, but he was talked out of it because it would make the car seem less sturdy and less safe than it was.

[@palco22]

The Tucker, as presented was the foundation of a dream. The difficulties of honing out the bugs takes time (years) and a huge amount of cash. Three, four and five years of continuous tinkering and establishing reliable in plant production and delivery of parts is always the road of despair. I agree, too many unanswered ifs limited the Tucker to 50 production models. Just the fact that no two Tuckers of the fifty that were made, where the same say a lot. Tucker created a great story and sad he passed away at only 53 years old.

[@zeroceiling]

Damn..this Chanel should be in the top tier of KZbin whether the topic is cars…or chickens for that matter. It is pure art in motion and the commentary is pure gold…just love it!

[@giancarlocapocci2582]

I love your constant use of the LA Noire soundtrack

[@MrJommins]

Now you’re talking Edward! Bravo!

[@BLWADiecast]

Man ok so I found out about the Tucker Torpedo few months ago, and thought “I will never see this insignificant car again”. Then I go to target the next day and see a 1/64 scale version. Well alright that’s kinda cool! So I bought it and read a bit about it, and now me and my best friend LOVE it. And now this!! Thank you SO much for the Video Ed and know that I love your channel!! Merry Christmas everyone and God bless you all!!!

[@AskDrannik]

Tucker 48 has to be one of my favorite looking cars, even though I've never seen one in person because of their rarity. No other American car in the 40s looked like it, and it would take the big three at least a decade for them to catch up.

[@TheTransporter007]

The best automotive history channel on the internet. Full stop.

[@ThePhilosopher01]

Always loved this car, and the Movie aswell. Thank you for this video.

[@KCKingdomCreateGreatTrekAgain]

A great looking car great design a man ahead of his time!!!

[@kevvymetal666]

I find it odd that the Tatra T87 is never mentioned in Tucker lore. The similarities can't be ignored.

[@130rapid]

I've noticed the imfo many years ago than Tucker was inspired by streamlined Tatras.

[@ClimbingEasy]

Palm Springs Air museum has one. I got to sit in it when I was a kid. I always like the openness of the dash area, and that it had a rear engine like a Volkswagen bug.

[@gabrielv.4358]

You are my number 1 American Automotive media knowledge.

[@ghost21501]

Absolutely a hit piece by the Big 3.

[@cahosjunkyard]

My dad loves 1:18 scale models and one day he brought a tucker home and it’s still my favorite out of all of them

[@kellingtonlink956]

This video was perfect. Thanks for putting it together. Merry Christmas!

[@Alexanderthenotsobad]

Great perspective on the "Tucker". I'm one of the ones who has been convinced by articles and so-called experts that the Tucker would have revolutionized the auto industry. We can see a similar phenomenon happening now with Tesla, so it's a lot more evident in today's day and age with a successful startup who is losing market capitalization (money) due to its outdated style and brutal competitive landscape from established automakers.

[@michaelschubert4453]

As always, a good video. You are right about the future of Tucker. It's end was inevitable.

[@rumrstv]

Love your delivery and humor. Wonderful command of English language slang and expressions. One of the few documentary style videos on YT that makes me laugh out loud while I'm learning something new. Thanks!

[@ssisnake]

You always were such a kidder Steve.

[@jerrybailey5797]

Very interesting video about the Tucker 48 Torpedo

[@Donald_Shaw]

Ed, another fabulous video and this time on Preston Tucker. You have great insight what would have happened to Tucker if he had succeeded and built more cars in the 50s. Again, an excellent auto review...

[@thestrangechannelofjeff7426]

As a car Enthusiast that is subscribed to your Channel I obviously know the Tucker Torpedo history. But your videos are so good I'm watching it regardless

[@straker454]

Heh, nice use of the L,A, Noir soundtrack, BTW, lol.

[@confusedcoco5947]

Merry Christmas mas. I can't say enough how much I love this channel. And you knew I would have a suggestion, didn't you? The story of Kaiser Frazer would be cool.

[@loveisall5520]

Great job, Ed. Still enjoying thinking about your interview with Adam in Michigan.

[@stevewilliams7956]

Always been interested in the Tucker story since I read about it as a kid in a car magazine. Thanks for yet another great and fin video and have a great Christmas

[@gregfeeler6910]

Great presentation about the Tucker - car and man. "What if?" stories are always intriguing and provide a lot of opportunity for fun speculation. Thanks!

[@freetolook3727]

@13:10 Cornering lamps: Interestingly enough, my 2016 Subaru Outback has them. Thought I was seeing things at first driving at night but after reading the owners manual found out it had them.

[@stevenhoman2253]

I do like your story presentation. They are mini-documentaries. The details you include are just the things that are needed to make clear what differences existed between the manufacturers. Sometimes, not that very much.

[@adrianrutterford762]

Thanks Edward. Have a good Festive Season.

[@truthsayers8725]

the auburn cord dusenberg museum in Auburn Indiana has one of those airplane inspired cars that you show from 2:57 to 3:10 in your video. rather odd duck to say the least. another great video. the best channel on the yt!

[@MrJayrock620]

I actually remember watching the movie when I was a kid, and even have a diecast model of a Tucker

[@AlexanderWaylon]

Merry Christmas great feature and that’s a great movie I watched at an early age.

[@arnageboy]

Great video!

[@johnross775]

I just started watching your shows and I must say they are highly informative and easy to watch. Great stuff keep it up ty.

[@jergervasi3331]

Another great video! Thank you!

[@Low760]

Great video Ed! I have loved the Tucker since seeing the movie in TV as a kid, and only got to sit in the only one in Australia in 2017. And then saw the Tucker at the Peterson museum that year.

[@cadciel]

Wonderful telling of the story. Such a shame all of Tucker's dreams were squandered by envy. Thanks for the "What if" part at the end. Merry Christmas, Ed!

[@beernd4822]

one more great video! Please keep them coming Ed.

[@jasonshull3106]

Thanks again ED for your great video.JDS 👍

[@blahmooblah789]

Nice! I’m so excited to watch this!

[@foxyfan1336]

I personally love the look of this car, just like how i love the look of the Edsel.

[@Innocennto]

Fastest click in the west.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

As soon as I turned on KZbin and saw it I clicked and liked before it started

[@ronaldmiller2740]

HI ED , GREAT VIDEO AND OLD AD'S .. HAPPY HOLIDAY'S,,..

[@RattyFlyer]

Just found your channel today. Watched two great videos and subscribed.

[@prodigaljess]

Great video. Thank you. I can't help but think of the other "What if...?" What if Tucker HAD gotten off the ground and had found a way to compete? How many lives could have been saved and how much better would the competitions cars have become. You answered some questions I long held as to whether this could have come to pass or not. I see now it could not, but...if only... They were good-looking, stylish and feature-rich cars.

[@kennethobrien6537]

Just in the starting ads, Ed hasn't even spoken yet. That like button has been slammed bc I know he will never fail us! Het Willhelmus!!

[@OldTechMemories.mp3]

So happy for this episode

[@llmkursk8254]

Have seen the movie, was excellent! Also, iirc all 50 Tucker ‘48s are still being tracked, and iirc they’re all still in great condition.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, really enjoyed!!

[@daveelliott6230]

Another outstanding episode

[@captiannemo1587]

Seen the local Tucker car. Still an amazing vehicle.

[@matthewcarter5746]

Didn't know I was waiting for this video to come out until I noticed it in my feed. I'll count it as a Christmas gift!

[@budimpla]

Good video.

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

17:52 So the press kept accusing him of being a fraud without a single piece of solid evidence to back it up. So yeah, everything old is new again.

[@fredericducomet.boquier7920]

Superb documentry thanks for this terrific job and rest in peace mister Tucker 🙏👍

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

My dad always told me to get at least three sources for information. Also, never believe what you hear and believe only half of what you see. Awesome advice!

[@brettdallman]

Another great video Ed!!

[@sevenkendrick5843]

I've got to say, you have a pretty good channel.

[@javidaderson]

I remember driving the Tucker and Mafia 2 too and just becoming obsessed with it.

[@smartman123]

merry Christmas 🎅🏻 man great great video

[@davidtucker3729]

a car I have always wished for. Well covered Ed.

[@Drew791]

2:52 should be “opportunity” Anyways I love love love your channel!!!

[@Theover4000]

There was a museum in the central Texas, austin area, that closed a few years back, I was lucky to go in its last months of operation, as they had one of the last Tuckers built, but it had never driven, as the engine was never installed. Despite being rolled around, it somehow had I think 40 ish miles on the odometer, but that was the first time I saw one, and I’ve been in love since. 😊

[@piwex69]

That Fiat 124 siluette used everywhere as a placeholder cracks me every time. ;)

[@williamborges3914]

Wow! Another great video, Ed! Thank you!

[@bcfairlie1]

Thanks Ed for this excellent video. I am a big fan of the Tucker 48 (Torpedo).pity that you didn't mention the gearbox from Cord motors in the mid 1930s.