1948 Tucker 48

Engine & Performance

Engine: Rear-mounted, water-cooled, 5.5-liter (335 cu in) flat-6 engine producing 166 horsepower and 372 lb-ft of torque

Transmission & Drivetrain: Pre-selector 4-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel drive

Performance: 0-60 mph in approximately 10 seconds, top speed around 120 mph, curb weight of roughly 4,250 lbs.

Exterior

Light metallic blue paint, distinctive fastback sedan body style, central 'cyclops' steering headlight that pivots with the front wheels, split windshield, whitewall tires with chrome hubcaps, rear fender air intakes, and chrome bumpers.

Interior Features

Padded dashboard for safety, central instrument cluster surrounded by the steering wheel, push-button controls, bench seating upholstered in matching turquoise/blue fabric, and a revolutionary safety-oriented layout designed by Preston Tucker.

Condition Assessment

Very Good (Model replica displayed on a wooden base with a Road Legends plaque; clean paint and intact components)

Condition Issues: None visible on the scale model shown in the image.

Estimated Mileage: Not applicable for a scale model (Actual real-world surviving cars have varying low mileages, highly preserved)

Historical Significance

A monumental piece of American automotive history, the Tucker 48 was designed by Preston Tucker to be the car of the future, packed with groundbreaking safety features like a padded dash, pop-out windshield, and a center headlight. Despite fierce opposition from the Detroit Big Three leading to the company's collapse, it remains an ultimate symbol of entrepreneurial ambition.

Notable Features

The famous 'cyclops eye' center headlight that turns with the steering wheel to illuminate around corners, a completely flush windshield designed to pop out upon impact to protect passengers, and doors that extend into the roofline for easier entry and exit.

Production Numbers

51 total cars built (including the prototype known as the 'Tin Goose' and 50 production models). All 47 surviving cars are accounted for and heavily tracked by collectors.

Maintenance Recommendations

For the actual vehicle: specialist-only maintenance due to the rarity of parts, custom Franklin-derived helicopter engine components, and unique pre-selector transmission.

Fun Facts

1. The Tucker's engine was originally designed for helicopters, modified to be water-cooled for the car. 2. Francis Ford Coppola directed a famous 1988 biographical film about Preston Tucker titled 'Tucker: The Man and His Dream'. 3. Because the cars were rushed to completion, reverse gear was omitted from the initial transmissions, requiring mechanics to use a special hand-crank to back the cars up. 4. Preston Tucker tested the cars at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where one flipped at high speed and the driver walked away unharmed, proving the safety cell design.

Identified on: 10/12/2026