Just got back from the San Diego Auto Museum. Good selection of concept cars (Mazda Kabura), gravity racers (52 MPH in a soap box), Bizzarni, Testa Rossa, Countach, Franklin (air cooled straight eight), blower Bentley (007
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Just got back from the San Diego Auto Museum. Good selection of concept cars (Mazda Kabura), gravity racers (52 MPH in a soap box), Bizzarni, Testa Rossa, Countach, Franklin (air cooled straight eight), blower Bentley (007
Preston Tucker is my hero......Too bad the "big three" and the old US government whacked his company. Plain and simple Tucker got porked.
Tucker and his automotive innovations were way ahead of the times.
I do know who owns the last production Tucker (in Butler, NJ)...What a car to see in person.
Tucker and his automotive innovations were way ahead of the times.
I do know who owns the last production Tucker (in Butler, NJ)...What a car to see in person.
Funny how many of Tucker's ideas are in use today, by guess who.....
In my opinion, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas did more to hype up the Tucker than any person/s alive, including Preston Tucker.
Both Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas owned a Tucker at the time of the 1988 Movie and each added a bunch of conspiracy theories to the movie, otherwise, the movie would depict a guy trying to build a car and ultimately failed.
When you read the facts about Tucker, you'll find that he wasn't the genius that they made him out to be and, the "BIG 3" in conjunction with the Federal Govt. didn't put him out of business.
By the way, the original engine design was plagued with problems one of which required multiple batteries to turn the starter. The replacement engine was a Franklin Helicopter engine converted to water cooling mated to a Cord transmission and only produced 166 HP.
Both Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas owned a Tucker at the time of the 1988 Movie and each added a bunch of conspiracy theories to the movie, otherwise, the movie would depict a guy trying to build a car and ultimately failed.
When you read the facts about Tucker, you'll find that he wasn't the genius that they made him out to be and, the "BIG 3" in conjunction with the Federal Govt. didn't put him out of business.
By the way, the original engine design was plagued with problems one of which required multiple batteries to turn the starter. The replacement engine was a Franklin Helicopter engine converted to water cooling mated to a Cord transmission and only produced 166 HP.
That was the converted helicopter engine. Im thinking that was the bigger engine in the car that Preston Tucker suposeedly was driving the evening that he made monkeys out of the local police depatments when they were trying to arest him. for taking all those peoples money that he did use to develop the Tucker as he had said he would . He wasn't a angel, but he knew what made a better car
The big three auto corps realy had it in for him. that is a historical fact.
I hate that they still tout to much muscle even now. Look at the EV-1 electic car projects that have been canned. Some things never change.
The Tucker was just that much better and way way ahead of its time.
He is a hero in my book.
The big three auto corps realy had it in for him. that is a historical fact.
I hate that they still tout to much muscle even now. Look at the EV-1 electic car projects that have been canned. Some things never change.
The Tucker was just that much better and way way ahead of its time.
He is a hero in my book.
I have always wondered if the "film" does justice to Mr. Tucker,
He sounds like a very adventurous person. It's rare to see a movie that is fact-based.
tim
He sounds like a very adventurous person. It's rare to see a movie that is fact-based.
tim