Tucker 48: The Car That Was Too Good For Detroit

[@rusty358]

The idea of taking the engine out easily to fix things would stretch the life of cars today by a lot.

[@dbranconnier1977]

True. I always wondered why a car company today wouldn't manufacture a modular automobile where everything is plug and play and make long term profits off of the parts and building a reputation for being the best automobile company in the world?

[@Galvan198]

@@dbranconnier1977 ; Ford did this to the Model A

[@TemporaryRelased]

They took broken engine out and replace it with working one.

[@truthseeker8483]

Why? Because manufacturers make money from servicing and selling you another car when yours is toast

[@bernlin2000]

It's interesting to me that we didn't move in that direction...god only knows how much more resourceful we'd be with automobiles. Instead, when something is wrong with a car, we have to "take it in". Even doing your own oil change is out of the ordinary.

[@FRANKSBESEK]

It is so sad how Preston was railroaded. Our government allowed this to happen. Now, look at all the illegal goings on and they get away with it. They flaunt it in our faces thinking they are untouchable. God Bless You boys the great grandsons. What a car !

[@IsaiahAmos017]

Nothing was done to prevent corporations from abusing individuals they did the same thing to DeLorean Donely way to get around big corporations to go somewhere else Honda Nissan Mitsubishi Toyota they started out in Japan they got big in Japan and then moved over here there’s no way an American company can start up making cars large scale I have to come from somewhere else The big American automotive companies still have politicians in their pocket and Ontell their powers taking from them America will continue to suffer And not unleash it’s full potential

[@edfleming9600]

Wtf? I get it, but wtf?

[@goldenbuddha3280]

And they still get away with everything they do,they ARE untouchable. 😑

[@rtshort]

@@IsaiahAmos017 Tesla?

[@sunilayya8948]

Why couldn't Mr tucker sue the SEC for destroying his business by wasting his resources to defend himself againt false charges.

[@brentad2004]

That movie "Tucker" starring Jeff Bridges was pretty good.

[@nancygibson4380]

They made a movie about this car?

[@brentad2004]

@@nancygibson4380 Yep, late 80's (Tucker: The Man and His Dream; 1988)

[@jennykirk9516]

Coppola made it .he owns one

[@deborahworks6616]

Hold that tiger hold that tiger

[@harrygaul4475]

Excellent movie about Tucker. Not only did he make a car but was a contractor for the government making assemblies. He also made the first tank with a turret for firing that had a top speed of 80mph; of course the Army didn't want that but stole his ideas for the turret.

[@Captleemo]

Back in the 1960's my Dad took me to see one of these Tuckers that the owner had in a warehouse up on the third or forth floor in the Twin Cities. The warehouse had big freight elevators that a car would easily fit in to get it off the ground floor. Its not the kind of car you would ever forget and I remember them commenting how the middle headlight would swivel when the steering wheel was turned. Of coarse the big three had their bought and paid for politicians shut down the Tucker company.

[@REAL-UNKNOWN-SHINOBI]

That ending is what we call "lobbying" and it is somehow legal in America but illegal everywhere else.

[@tomthumb2815]

Nothing has changed

[@fmlazar]

I got to swivel the headlight on one of them on a Tucker that was part of a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian.

[@mikemanager9505]

I firmly believe if Preston was left to reach for the sky, we would all be driving a Tucker or Tucker sub brand.

[@3UZFE]

100%

There was a similar car in WW2 Europe called a tatra. Killed a lot of Nazis. Poor weight distribution and swing axled aren't a good combination.

[@Novusod]

These Tucker bros should do what DMC is doing. You can buy a new DeLorean right now in 2019. They should just revive the Tucker and sell it as a modern reproduction.

[@joshdholsinger933]

They are look them up Tucker 48 brand new reprouduced Tucker torpedo

[@scootergeorge9576]

@@joshdholsinger933 How difficult would it have been to provide a link?

[@scootergeorge9576]

@@joshdholsinger933 Looks like they are unavailable, even if you have the money. "But even if you can afford the high-six-figures price, the chances of scoring your own new-old Tucker are slim to none. Ida's got a hot rod business to run, and while he probably loves all the time he gets to spend working on such a special project, he told Hagerty that he'd "probably say no" if you called up the shop and asked for one." hedrive.com/news/15949/this-beautiful-tucker-48-is-really-a-carbon-fiber-replica-with-a-550-hp-twin-turbo-v-8

[@edcain3676]

Engine Was A Helicopter Mtr.,Because BIG CAR MAKERS MADE SURE That Reg.Piston Engs.Were Not Avail. To TUCKER.Who Wanted A Car Driven By LOUD ASS HELI MTR? That's Why They Didn't Sell Well.

[@joshdholsinger933]

It is also Worth noting that the 1948 Tucker torpedo was the first to have things we take for granted today pop out safety glass Seatbelts and lots more

[@CMRinehart]

A senator from Detroit was on the payroll of GM, and he played a major role in trumping up allegations against Tucker. Talk about corruption.

[@guitarman7169]

Senator Furgerson. SOB!

[@CMRinehart]

@@guitarman7169 Senator Homer Furgerson.

[@tomthumb2815]

Nothing has changed

[@PilotDaveLI]

Howard Hughes was another brilliant mind stifled by govt corruption

[@johnedwards6208]

"Trumping up". Goes right with the corruption.

[@redram5150]

The AACA museum in Hershey, Pa has three Tucker’s, most of the blueprints, many experimental engines, and half a display set up as a Tucker dealer would have been. It’s an amazing museum.

[@doordieace5high]

Was just there last week during the big car show. I bought a Tucker keychain for my mechanic in their gift shop. 🙂.

[@festyguy7405]

Yes, and they have the most rare one, the only automatic one

[@chuckschafer942]

@@festyguy7405 TUCKERMATIC ONLY 20 MOVING PARTS

[@retroolschool]

Wow theres so much I could write here! In the mid 90s A silver colored Tucker was on display here a the Montreal museum of fine arts, my friend blown away like me then turned to me and said "Elton! I touched a Tucker!" That was almost 10 years after watching the movie "Tucker A Man and his Dream"., which I still watch every year religiously (im 43 yrs old now). The fact that Preston's great grandsons were there (twins no less) with that amazing gold Tucker ( same exact shade of gold as the 61 Monarch painting I finished last year) was absolutely priceless! Keep it up boyz.

[@johnwattdotca]

If the movie "Tucker A Man and his Dream" starred Jeff Bridges, who I saw, it made me very angry.

[@larrymoskowitz7309]

A real shame Tucker never was able to get his wonderful car in the mainstream. I guess it's just another case of corporate greed and paranoia.

[@AlanVonGoodleef]

also it's too bad that American Motors closed'

[@openeyes-411]

@@AlanVonGoodleef I give my middle finger to AMC... When I was a kid in the 70's my dad had a '64 Rambler 330 wagon. The engine had no PCV system, and just a vented oil filler cap - dad called it "blow-by." I called it a mess! The entire engine compartment was COVERED in oil - and while helping my dad change the starter once, it slipped out of his hands and split my finger wide open. But the Javelin was pretty cool tho, lol

[@AlanVonGoodleef]

Open Eyes. I can agree with you on the first part. I had a 68 Javelin SST . I kick myself in the Ass for getting rid of it. But we do stupid stuff wen we are young

[@openeyes-411]

@@AlanVonGoodleef Yea no doubt! I could've bought a '69 Camero SS convertible in '79. White w/the orange stripes down the hood and trunk lid, 396 cu in - but I bought a '73 Chevy van instead - I was more interested in the "slow ride"...😉

[@dennisgauck7526]

You forgot government corruption......

[@inkey2]

Funny he mentions the "smell" of the interior. I get it. Cars prior to being mostly plastic had a completely different smell inside . Hard to explain unless you are old and remember that aroma. It's like trying to explain what TV sets prior to about 1965 "smelled like" when they were turned on. That aroma of hot vacuum tubes against a wooden cabinet. If a TV was running for over 30 minutes there was this smell of hot electrical parts and wood. Not really strong but you definitely could smell it.

[@davidtucker3729]

i remember that smell from some post war cars from when I was young

[@inkey2]

@@davidtucker3729 yeah, it was a totally different aroma. No plastic.

[@pl747]

radios too

[@inkey2]

@@pl747 yes, warm tube radio aroma

[@2idiot2animate28]

How did those cars smell then?

[@Veritas419]

Tucker as also desperately under capitalized, that is what really sunk the company. Too bad someone like Howard Hughes didn’t come the rescue.

[@Novusod]

@eimb1999 Tucker needed money, not advice.

[@bextar6365]

The big 3 got rid of their competition…….

[@dennis22255]

Bextar636 Exactly.

[@danor6812]

His biggest mistake was not building a prototype before looking for capital. If he would of had a car to show investors. He would of had the financing. As it was, selling dealerships and such. He was always behind and short on cash to do what he needed too.

[@onlythewise1]

who think owned the banks , control the banks you control all life in a country why germany rose up

[@bigfella4845]

A lil view of how safe the tucker 48 was The entire front end from the headlights to the doors was a crumple zone (like in modern cars) the motor mounts where designed to send the engine under the rear seat, and it had airbags that came out of the doors Incase of a side collision (not as safe as thought because the bags where covered in asbestos dust to keep from sticking) integrated roll cage, suspension bench seats attached via vulcanized rubber to absorb some force, pop out glass

[@cosmoray9750]

What a beautiful car. This is a real piece of Americana.

[@jakespeed63]

As a Tucker aficionado, I found this very entertaining. The Tucker Brothers are a hoot. Must be Fun to go drinking with

[@terrafirmament]

The Tucker looks a lot like the prewar Czech "Tatra 87", a rear engined v8 and 3 headlights, and very fast. Tatra also made a car that was the inspiration for the VW Beetle.

[@raymondclark1785]

I've always assumed the Tucker and a Lincoln concept were inspired if not copies of the Tatra

[@emilacosta6219]

The beatle was designed in the mid 30s, I think it was designed before the tatra

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

There's speculation the big automakers at the time put Tucker out of business. They were basically scared of his design.

[@dennis22255]

Jman G True.

[@danor6812]

How they did it, was to warn the steel manufactures. They would not buy their steel to build their cars if they sold their product to Tucker. Steel production had a hard time keeping up with the demand of steel for the Detroit automakers. They did not want to lose those accounts. That's how the big 3 really hurt him. What scared them wasn't his designs. But his safety features. They were afraid of the cost to make the changes in their cars. Although years later they had no choice in the matter.

[@pault4004]

@@danor6812 Once again a lot of people died from corporate greed.

[@edcain3676]

: Also,the Big Car Mfgrs.Made Sure the Piston Engs.Were Not Avail.To Him.Who Wanted A Car W/ Loud Ass HELI Eng.?

[@darnit1944]

@Robert Dark Since the war, no car companies can pump out new models since the early 1940s. Thats why independent and startup carmakers like Tucker seen this opportunity.

[@donaldgarver6594]

Tucker wasn't the only victim in the car industry

[@openeyes-411]

The consuming public is the REAL VICTIM...

[@mr.robinson1982]

You are speaking of Jon Delorean

[@openeyes-411]

@@mr.robinson1982 Well the official story is he had issues with the nose candy - but OTOH he was probably backed into a corner too... And he did some GREAT STUFF when he was with Pontiac! With the GTO he was probably single handedly responsible for the birth of the muscle car era...

[@darnit1944]

I would like to see if Tucker survived and became big.

[@tealruby1]

Got 2 minutes in before my brain couldn't stand the talking + the loud jazz music. Who signed off on this?

[@rudolfbenner4802]

Lose the 'music', would help those of us who are hard of hearing. The 'music' adds nothing of value.

[@kenbrownfield6584]

I agree

[@davidsimpson8522]

​ I wholeheartedly agree! It's hard to hear the narration with the background music blasting out!

[@darrylvernon2549]

One would've thought, that seeing as most complaints about KZbin videos are concerning un-needed background music, posters would have taken notice by now. But no. So many people are still under the mistaken belief, that music on a video is a must. So, posters, PLEASE take note. Background music destroys what would be a perfect video. Desist with the music.

[@jbpowell07]

I love the music maybe there's way to compromise to those like Mr. Benner and those that enjoy the music?

[@jdnelms62]

Great video. Wonderful having Preston Tucker's great grand kids doing the interview. More than seventy years later and there is obviously a lot of family pride in the accomplishments and ordeals of their famous great grandfather.

[@treydangerfield5830]

Preston Tucker actually wanted seat belts and the investors thought that customers would see it as an unsafe car since it had safety restraints. Instead he compromised to have that big giant space under the dash for people to jump under during a crash😂😂😂

[@riverstyx9618]

The demise of the Tucker was caused by multiple factors. One was Tucker's lack of expertise in the logistics of manufacturing on a large scale. The plant he purchased was clearly too big for his current abilities. But another was the clandestine participation of "plants" from the "Big Three" who committed subtle acts of sabotage. Heavy portions of the assembly line were located over structures that couldn't support them, for example. My father worked for Tucker and invested in it. At one point he worked on setting up the assembly line; at another he drove the cars on the test track, working out bugs with the transmission. He was convinced it was an excellent car, but also saw how things were often done that, in his mind, could only have been done deliberately to cause delay and extra expense. Yes, the Big Three had other competitors, but none had the cutting edge technologies and mindset that really threatened their continued dominance. And to conclude the Big Three had no collusion with Washington is pure naivete.

[@beastlybuickv6402]

There is nothing quite so reassuring as an intelligent mind. 😀😊

[@peanutbutterisfu]

You have to have a lot of money to build a car company from nothing. It’s not the building and design that the problem it’s everything else. I am a business owner myself, I could design a car for sure but I don’t have it in me to deal with the business side of that I’m much more of the brains and it takes someone that likes business to build something huge like that.

[@PK1982_]

Did Tucker buy the manufacturing plant or was it leased from the government?

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Definetly one of the most beautiful car of its era. And too advanced for its time. 😎👍

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

I've always loved the design of the Tucker 48-a.k.a. the Tucker Torpedo. This is a beautiful one for sure!

[@shootthemoon6072]

The jazz needs to be turned down, or off; hard to hear them talking.

[@johnspecht72]

I was not going to watch this as I have watched so many videos on the Tucker automobile. I am glad I watched as this s the best one I have watched so far! The level of detail and the inclusion of two of Mr. Tucker's family members was a fine touch. To get there input whilst having them drive a Tucker was even better! Overall this is a very impressive production!

[@BloodSweatandGears]

Interesting but the music was too loud and distracting. Difficult to hear the speakers, when the brass is blowing!

[@austinformedude]

No kidding. Spent all his money on equipment but has no idea how to use it. Trashed the whole video with obnoxious music.

[@bextar6365]

3 Goldberg's doing the review...……..

[@alanriley9754]

I have an official envelope and with the multi page brochure and covering letter as signed by Mr Tucker sent to my father in Australia. My father expressed his interest in the Tucker automobile and received the excellent acknowledgement. Great video.

[@MrNemo721]

Very good video. More like this instead of the other crap you guys have put out in the past.

[@atomsmash100]

Had Tucker survived and thrived, imagine what their vehicle lineup would look like today.

[@sonnylatchstring]

Like all cars, similar to any other

[@louielouie5150]

yea like any other car of today...like shit.

[@johnzornow6580]

Like a 2023 Edsel

[@joshuabessire9169]

Bought by Chrysler by now, then bought by Fiat per government mandate. Mahindra might be building the same product but marketed as a toy till the lawyers come.

[@MrGoblin60]

My gosh! I've literally just finished watching 'Tucker A Man and His Dream" and admit that I'd never heard of the man or his cars. Tucker's sin was that he offered a superior competitor to the The Big Three's inferior products. This reminds me of what happened to Leyland Australia in the 1970's when they produced the Force 7V - way ahead of it's GM, Ford and Chrysler competitors. These big Detroit based companies used the Federal Government of the day to kill of what would have been (and in fact is - some examples still exist) a vastly superior car to what was available in Australia at the time. What a pity the big guys always step on the little guys.

[@beastlybuickv6402]

It is a pity but it should be a serious crime.

[@jacobfleming565]

Wow I've never heard of a Leyland force. Very odd looking car

[@Schnoz42069]

His sin was that he promised too many people too much with too little time to get it done

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Really,,, the P38 was a lemon. Pogo stick suspension [that Crapadores later used] underpowered engines, ugly fat arsed styling. The big 3 produced far more advanced and stylish cars with a far better engine range. The Force7 was a bit better looking,, but was ever only made as development cars and then Leyland Oz ran out of money. Tucker NEVER had any money, a flim flam man. Though the car was a better quality than, finish and appearance that the P38. Elons cars were subsidised by Govt, the reason he survived. We are told eleektrikity cars will save the planet. This ofcourse is a total lie.

[@JoeShopper]

I'm at 3:23. Can barely hear the dialogue with the background music blasting.

[@vicdmise]

Guys: noisy interviews and the music's too loud to hear dialogue.

[@ngybrid]

Search how to enable loudness equalization on your device, it'll help with that issue.

[@vicdmise]

@@ngybrid I'm aware of compression and limiting, thanks, but it's not my device; it's their editing.

[@ngybrid]

@@vicdmise Yup, the background music are indeed too loud for the video.

[@ricardomolina4605]

Must be your ears because I can clearly hear their voices over the music.

[@shanghunter7697]

@@ricardomolina4605 Same here, people whining over nothing.

[@nomadben]

Cool video about a cool car! Those Tucker brothers seem like such happy and nice guys! Wish them the best.

[@gabrielmuthler2101]

It would be neat if someone could make a kit car for the Tucker, since there was so little of them produced

[@frank1015]

Their is

[@henrydehavilland5620]

There is a gentlemen that produces nearly exact replicas. Rob Ida Customs, hes only made three or four and he charge about 4-500k a piece.

[@frank1015]

@@henrydehavilland5620 its only for the body though

[@gabrielmuthler2101]

@@henrydehavilland5620 400-500k is a little pricey for a kit car, I meant like a fiberglass body, put your own drivetrain underneath it and all

[@gabrielmuthler2101]

@eimb1999 why not? I'm seen some shitty cars pass inspections here in Pa, a fiberglass replica would have to have a special title, and that might be it

[@mikmik9034]

So much time, talking about everything around the Tucker 48, so little of the actual car. All I came away with was it had a helicopter engine, radio, and luggage.

[@salvadorhirth1641]

This is so cool! I've always wanted to build my own car too, unfortunately a patent does not ensure a contract and it's just very expensive to hire companies to build new parts. I'd like to meet the great grand sons of Preston Tucker to talk about engines and inventions. Subscribing now.

[@shamusyasharahla8116]

They really did a hit job in Tucker.

[@stevenm3141]

The irony is just too much. I just watched the Tucker movie two days ago. Shows the backwards attitude that prevails in America. Because of this government. How more advanced we would be if Preston Tucker was left to go. How many lives would have been saved? Because of the improvements he made. I love this country but because of one or two people in it you can be stifled.

[@beastlybuickv6402]

Yup, right you are! Just ask Ralph Nader!

[@hueyiroquois3839]

A friend of mine told me that his father was once passed by a car with a neon sign in the back, which read, "You have just been passed by a Tucker Torpedo."

[@misisbackyup7037]

My father is almost 87 years old, and he has always been fascinated with the Tucker Torpedo, as have I, but neither of us have ever seen one in person (there were only 50 made). Would you ever express interest in bringing it to the Iola Old Car Show?

[@johnclayden1670]

I first read of the Tucker in a British car mag decades ago and have since been enthralled. Thanks for the vid.

[@2574mcu]

I always wanted to see one in person.

[@Vipateta]

It is hard to believe only 50 Tuckers were made. I distinctly remember seeing one sometime in the late 50s in Fresno California. It was parked and the kid I was with said the front headlight moved. Wow I thought they were more common.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

I think it's an absolute tragedy what happened to Tucker.!!!

[@shwt121]

This is an absolutely amazing video....its great to see a Tucker on the road..@ long last !!!!

[@theghostdrummer99]

I appreciate this car so much. No one had thought of ANY of this at the time in America. I wish I could be driving a modern Tucker.

[@ecurb10]

So...they lift the bonnet to show us the cases in there, then next thing you know we're looking at an engine. No shot of the rear of the car, opening the trunk. Great editing guys.

[@Patchuchan]

The big three got nervous as it would have made even their high end models look like outdated.

[@swanblake]

Just an amazing piece. I learned so much. Thank you

[@brianprice1336]

I'm just half way surprised this thing isn't sitting in Jay Leno's garage.

[@shanghunter7697]

Jay would LOVE to see what's in my garage, i own the very 1st prototype dooze. people don't even know it exists. I also have 2 other extremely rare proto's.

[@dedrakuhn6103]

Jay Leno has one of those cars already

[@WillF1980]

My father always spoke about this car and wanted to find one when i was growing up. This took me back to when I was 5-6 years old and some of the only good memories of my father. Thank you.

[@rifz42]

this is interesting, but the music when people are talking is killing me!

[@erikmoller84]

I saw an actual Tucker, in the Sutro Museum, next to the Cliff House Restaurant, in San Francisco as a youngster. Must have been around 1958. I can still see it sitting there, gleaming black and chrome. I was fascinated by the single headlight, which pointed in the direction you turned the steering wheel. Alas, the museum burned down, during demolition, in 1966. Gone were the museum, famous baths, and skating rink. I don’t know where the Tucker went.

[@walterkersting1362]

What a car! Note the plush headliner...

[@geraldscott4302]

Actually the Tucker was a terrible idea. I am a recently retired auto mechanic with 41 years of experience. I am also a vintage car enthusiast, hot rodder and drag racer. 20 years ago I had an opportunity to not only drive a Tucker, but to spend several hours inspecting the car, and how it was designed. It was very crude, even for the time, but at the same time would have been impossible to mass produce at anywhere near a reasonable price. It was clunky, had a super rough ride, and was noisier than my drag race car with open pipes. Because it was put together so quickly, it had a lot of compromises. It did have a very solid feel, much more so than a typical Detroit car of the day. The body and chassis were overbuilt, but that was one of the reasons why it would have been so expensive to build. Same thing with the engine. Derived from an air cooled aircraft engine converted to liquid cooling, it was very complex and expensive to build, and I doubt it would have been reliable. True, many Detroit engines were not all that reliable either, but when something did go wrong, they were simple, cheap, and easy to work on. I have to admit I did thoroughly enjoy driving it, I absolutely hate smooth, quiet, overly refined late model cars. To me a car is supposed to be a MACHINE, not a computer on wheels. I am not putting the Tucker down. I would love to own one. But it was anything but a practical car for mass production at the time, and most average car drivers would not have liked it, or been able to afford it.

[@johannesswillery7855]

I have never seen one in person but it appears to sit lower than the cars that were available at the time. And the wheel base seems more modern.

[@hun9ryduck]

Please for the love of our viewing experience don't make the background music so damn loud.

[@mattyboy3576]

It’s not that loud so stfu

[@rjright7373]

Excellent story and description and especially to meet the stickers, Thanks for good info and things we may never have known.

[@kingrex1931]

Everyone always blames the big three because it makes a good story, which is bolstered and dramatized by the movie, but the honest truth is that Tucker was selling dealer franchises, stock and accessories for cars that weren't in production. Tucker started selling dealerships and stock in 1946 and by by 1949, when the factory was closed down, he had never reached normal production. Only 37 cars were finished when the trial started, but loyal employees finished an additional 13 cars to bring the number to 50. Dealers had actually started suing Tucker before the SEC trial had started. Had Tucker made it to full production, these cars would have been very expensive, as much as a top of the line Cadillac, and he had only planned to build 60,000 a year. Tucker wouldn't have run the big three out of business.

[@benjaminturrano6485]

Great video. I immediately fell in love with the car and the story behind it when I first saw the movie in 1988. Joined the TACA right away and made pilgrimages to see several Tuckers in person. Thankfully many of them are in Pennsylvania within a few hours of my home... as are some of the Tucker family I understand. Which is so cool. I wanted one so bad, but being $1.3 million shy of the auction prices - I bought a VW Bug for $700 in 1995 instead... rear engine, opposed boxer design at least. I've been addicted to cars ever since. In order of the models I've seen are. *1990 & 1994 & 1996 Waltz Blue - in Gast Classic Motorcars, Strasburg, PA (since sold and the museum closed) * 1995 The Smithsonian Museum of American History - Washington DC * 2003, 2006 & 2013 The Red Prototype "Tin Goose" and Ghost Gray at Swigert Museum in Huntingdon , PA * 2016 -The entire Commack collection (4 or 5 cars?)at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA Personal note, my father in law claims he went to look at a Tucker for sale in 1972 in Pottsville PA and thought about buying it. Allegedly it was offered at $4500 then, in orginal condition. I have not been able to verify most relevant details of this story. except to say he knew details about the car from memory that I was only able to confirm by seeing an actual car in person in the museums.

[@jpguthrie6669]

When people complain about capitalism, and all the problems capitalism causes, I have to remember what FDR said during the Great Depression. He said "It is not that free markets have failed in our time, but that they have not yet been tried." If FDR didn't believe capitalism had yet been tried in 1930, what would he think about America as we know it today? If we go back 100 years to the year 1920, how many car companies existed in America then? More than 100. How many car companies are there in America today? In 1920 there were more than 100 motorcycle manufacturers, how many are there today? There were even more than 100 manufacturers of aircraft, how many are there today? Tucker was one of countless examples of people put out of business by anti-capitalists. "Capitalism" means "free markets," and in a "free market" anyone and everyone can work and compete. But how free are markets in America today? You cannot build anything without negotiating literally mountains of red tape. Every design, every material, every construction must be officially approved. To open a factory today to build a car takes a decade or more, and more time and money is spent on red tape and legal fees than construction and machinery. It was during WW2 that big business and a big wartime government consolidated their interests, and began making it impossible for new competitors to rise. The federal register, which now numbers millions of pages, and countless rules and regulations exists for the guise of protecting consumers and limiting the power of business. But the opposite is true. The new regulations do not affect businesses which are already extant, and who can afford to lobby for loopholes and exemptions, it is all but impossible to start a car company today.

[@mrsoshadabaadman]

Maybe they called it capitalism but it was just still whatever the robber barons practiced, a free market for the few and crony capitalism for the rest.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[@jimmyj2563]

I believe 2 blue tuckers in Australia.. have seen both driving on public roads to my astonishment.

[@trainsntile]

@Jimmy J I guess Holden had to make them RHD? Hope they didn't F*#K up the interiors.

[@56packmanable]

Tucker was a salesman who made a fortune during the war on his gun turret patent. He went into the car business underfunded (massively underfunded) and his IPO went nowhere because not enough investors trusted him. The big 3, and the little 5 were all running 3 shifts making every car they could given the rationing of materials after the war. Every car the established companies made had two cash-ready veterans fighting over it, willing to pay over invoice for it. So we are lead to believe that in this climate the Big 3 are afraid of an underfunded dreamer, with an empty building, with one small corner filled with guys hand-forming body panels and hand-making cars, at one price point, the price of which isn’t even established because he can’t manage costs or stop “improving”? I don’t buy it. Yeah, the big 3 did some bad against him, legally. Last I heard that’s called “competition” and no one gets left alone from competition based on the brilliance of their ideas. At the same time Henry J. Kaiser took the remains of the Graham-Paige company, and with Joe Frazier started Kaiser-Fraizer corporation. Within a year he was producing hundreds of thousands of cars a year, in a real factory, with a stamping plant (something Tucker didn’t have) its own engine plant (Continental) and most importantly, a nationwide dealership body that they were shipping cars to every month, eating some big 3 lunch. GM was so afraid of K-F they sold them Delco-Remy electrical components and Guide brand lighting parts. After 10 years in the business K-F threw in the towel on the auto business, having lost $100,000,000. By now the little 5 were struggling, by 1960 there would only be two small companies left, and their numbers weren’t impressive. Let’s talk about the Tucker car. Yes, it was revolutionary. As a C-grade US knock-off of a Tatra it was different. There were no roads, save for a few stretches of roads out west where the Tucker’s performance could be exploited. The freeway system was 10 away in the future. They are amazingly competent as cars, given their kluge build qualities. The movie is a good movie, it has what every good script needs, a good guy and a villain. It’s not accurate telling of history.

[@markleyg]

The music makes it hard to hear the dialogue.

[@brettcannon74]

I was 15 when I got to touch one in a South Dakota museum. I'll never forget it

[@kainhall]

ya completely ignored the gear shift..... the aircraft throttle style controls on the left steering column.... "this car is special..... but we arnt going to show you anything that makes it special"

[@trobnova]

The gear shifting mechanism is of a pre-selector gear box, the same that was used in the late 1930s Cord.

[@hudson2441]

The same selector was call "electric hand" on 1930s Hudson's and Terraplanes

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

THANKS FOR SHARING,ACTUALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES…🤗👍❤️I saw one running back in the 80’s at a car show in OHIO 💚💚💚

[@brianlenehan9055]

Why is the music so loud? Why music at all? Music off now, can hear the engine, video finished. Good content, almost enjoyed that.

[@kerrylee4633]

Ironically one of the few surviving Tucker 48s is in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

[@gustavbabic5004]

I clicked on this video expecting to learn about the Tucker 48, but instead what I found was a PR piece for Tesla Motors. Why not talk about the car's unique suspension or about the other motor Mr. Tucker had planned for his car? Why do I need to hear how brilliant Elon Musk is in this video?

[@randomunavailable]

It's spelled conversation, an art lost to every generation after X.

[@gustavbabic5004]

@@randomunavailable And I want to hear a conversation about the details of the Tucker 48, not how fucking brilliant Elon Musk is!

[@randomunavailable]

@@gustavbabic5004 You get that too if you can keep your mouth shut for 10 minutes.

[@MichelLinschoten]

@@randomunavailable ironic how you ,yourself are guilty of not being able to conversate. Perhaps sometimes, it's better to shut your piehole instead of others to do so.

[@randomunavailable]

@@MichelLinschoten I talk you listen, you talk I listen, that's conversation. You haven't listened to a word I said, you're simply off on your temper tantrum.

[@Torby4096]

I read about Tucker when I was young and figured if I managed to become a rich computer manufacturer that I'd try to show a Tucker in my lobby. At the time, nobody could consider a computer that did not run Lotus 123 or Flight Sim.

[@heyitsablackguy9553]

Isn't it funny that the big three now don't even have factories in America anymore and sell some of the worst cars in the last 20 years? Now we get our next Ford vehicle from Mexico instead of the hardworking, unionized hands of an American worker.

[@ronweaver9296]

Thank the unions for that

[@trainsntile]

I'm 62 years old & always loved "old" cars in general. In 1975, my first car was a 1949 Chrysler Royal 4-door sedan. I was the only person in high school with a car older than him (her) self. I LOVED it! Six cylinder, fluid-drive trans, AM TUBE radio that took 15 seconds to play, manual steering, 4 wheel manual drum brakes, crank windows, a cowl vent that let cool air in under the dash (what was air conditioning in '49?), optional HEATER, front & back seats that could fit 4 across. Sorry I ever let her go :-(( Anyway, if I could have ANY car in the world, my dream is & was always a TUCKER! LOL- KEEP DREAMING!!

[@Anthony-ho4kw]

That was actually Tucker safety exactly as he envisioned it. That area was designed to be able to do just that in a wreck, duck into the crash protected passenger floor well to protect the passenger.

[@50zcarsman]

But Americans had shown they wouldn't pay for safety; until many, many years later they did not rank it highly among the features they were looking for in a new car. From the '30s thorough '60s, tops were always ride comfort, low cost of operation, styling, power, features, and resale value. Tucker's design showcased at most two of these, and failed outright at another two.

[@snapletgames4086]

@@50zcarsman Four, at least. Styling, power, and features and ride comfort. It had a 589 CUI H6 engine, a headlight that swiveled to help you see where you're turning, and it isn't hard to see that it has good styling. Low cost of operation is debatable, But likely.

[@kittenfuud]

Movie came out on VHS when my son was at that "must watch repeatedly or will surely die" stage and a already a car enthusiast. I think we watched that video 1,000x. Such a great movie, I didn't mind replaying that! Loved the score. So sad what happened to Preston though.

[@joshdholsinger933]

The 1948 Tucker was not called the Tucker 48 that is the name his Grandsons call the remake they build the 1948 Tucker was the Tucker torpedo the papers at the time called it the Tin goose

[@redlywaxer]

This is one the the best and interesting videos on a special car. I had heard about Tucker cars, but this really brought some details. Yes, would love to see you boys bring back the Tucker!

[@thetman0068]

Wow, that color is absolutely amazing!

[@gyneve]

Yeah, I remember a lot of cars made in the 70's and 80's were painted that kind of metallic copper/bronze color. I wasn't a big fan of it as a kid, but I kinda miss it now.

[@asymmetry9988]

The Big 3 automakers have always treated customers like garbage.

[@garethonthetube]

Sound dubbing 101 "don't mix brass instruments with human voice".

[@crazycanuck2578]

I saw one of these about 15 yrs ago in a guys garage in the town that I live in and it was a red one. It was unmistakable when I drove by especially with that centre headlight..

[@ldodom]

Great interview! Though the dream was murdered by the feds, it still lives on. ✨

[@Natangz]

Many dreams murdered by the Feds.

[@joshmaier18]

I had the privilege of getting to see one of these great automobiles in person when I was 10. I remember everything about it. It was located at a museum in Stone Mountain Georgia, sadly the man who own it died and the museum is gone but I will always get to say I saw and touched a tucker 48

[@geraldopacheco99]

What are they saying ! The jazz !! 😫

[@adenanthony5257]

Man I've always loved these

[@S730SD]

I'd choose a Tucker over a Tesla any day.

[@MichelLinschoten]

As a toycar....sure...main commuter ehhh yah nope.

[@AmishSpecialForces]

How about a Tesla Tucker? Tucker body with Tesla power train. I'd buy one in a heartbeat!

[@mr.pickles810]

@@AmishSpecialForces it's already been done but not with a Tucker. Mercury and Ford. I'm sure there's others.

[@AmishSpecialForces]

@MR. PICKLES, then it hasn't been done....

[@mitchsalawine5420]

So would I. Holds its value, no batteries to replace and worry about polluting the water table, easy to repair, no electronics to replace, and draws attention like flies...what's not to like except the insurance?

[@bluesharp59]

Its nice to see the history of great cars you post to your channel. The other day I asked my young son in law what is a Cord and he told me you plug It in and comes in up to 100 FT links . Its sad that lots of young people of today have no knowledge of the great classics. Yes LOL, I am afraid to ask him what a KAISER is because he would probably say its a Dinner Roll !

[@brucelytle1144]

No, health care!

[@bluesharp59]

@@brucelytle1144 Have a good weekend Bruce.

[@trainroomgary]

Hi from Michigan: If you would like to see a Tucker 48. There is one at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan. • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@michelbeauloye4269]

I think i is a very bad joke to have a TUCKER 48 in a FORD Museum. Or, ... it is on purpose to show everyone that FORD killed TUCKER!

[@jeffreymom2516]

I think there also is a Tucker at the Gillmore Car Meusum in Galesburg/Kalamazoo Mi.

[@stephenholland5930]

Also one in Dick's Classic Garage, San Marcos TX.

[@MrBladerunner75]

Just watched the Tucker movie on Netflix and then watched this video. What a great story.

[@jameshyde1501]

Tucker!! the one auto maker who ACTUALLY!! had the people in mind and not just corporate profits!

[@G56AG]

That electric shift is so neat, I had a friend in college that had an original Hudson Terraplane with an electric shifter like that, that car still had the original Mohair upholstery in it, beautiful old car.

[@man_on_wheelz]

I'd like to ask Elon Musk how the hell does he just... succeed? He says he wants to do something and he just does it! As you see, Tucker had a hard ass time doing that.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Bill Gates says he was lucky. Lucky to be interested in computers, in the early days of programming, and lived near a college that let him play on their mainframe. Some people get lucky. Problem is, the lucky ones usually claim they have special skills instead of just admitting they go lucky.

[@shawnpa]

That was a great car. Thanks for the terrific discussion with the the grandsons.

[@1keykneedeep]

Amazing vehicle. You better beleive the Big 3 were nerveous.

[@steveleinwand890]

At the time it was introduced, The Tucker was about the same price as a Cadillac. And Tucker had only a tiny fraction of the dealers that the major brands from GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc. had. And it had no track record or reputation for durability or reliablility. And it was underpowered compared to models from competing brands. Some see conspiracy in it's failure. I see market reality in why it failed.

[@TheEmotionalArcheologist]

This reminded me of the Avro Arrow. A revolutionary fighter jet, built in Canada, that was way ahead of its time. This to was mothballed due to pressure from the US and was at that time, the fastest fighter jet in the world.

[@richardhamilton9936]

Had to bail out before the end because of the horrible music.

[@richardhamilton9936]

Not when it overpowers the dialogue.

[@richardhamilton9936]

@Gappie Al Kebabi It's garbage and it's too loud.

[@robertedwardlee8227]

@Gappie Al Kebabi fast hard rock is best. jazz is slow boring shit.

[@allanedwards262]

My uncle Ben Gillespie Parsons senior was the VP for engineering of the Tucker car company and he used to tell me about it. I believe it was his idea for a flat opposed 6 cylinder engine. A truly amazing vehicle I was fortunate enough to find an extremely well-made model of the vehicle at a flea market. It's one of my cherished possessions