The last Tucker automobile engine runs for the first time!
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- čas přidán 6. 11. 2021
- With Mike Tucker and Mark Lieberman, Preston Tucker's Speed Shop takes a look at the very last Tucker engine produced. As of December 31st, 1948 The Tucker engine inventory showed 98 total units and this is number 98. It was recently removed from Tucker number 1050 which was sold (without an engine) at the Tucker bankruptcy auction in 1950. At some point later in its life, it was mated with the last Tucker engine produced. You are hearing it run for the first time ever!
Check out our holiday sale at tuckercorporation.com! 10% site-wide with promo code "HOLIDAY" now through 12/17! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I live in Lincoln Park, Michigan. I was kinda excited when I discovered that Preston Tucker lived in Lincoln Park, Michigan, as a child. So you can imagine my suprise when I discovered that he actually lived in the house that I live in, and have lived in since 1989.
how cool is that ? from nearby
Awesome !
That's really awesome, I'd like to drive by that neighborhood and get a look at the home myself. I currently live in Flint, Michigan so, I'm not that far from there. Thank you for that info.
The man with a vision that started safety belts ..safety glass and much more only to be shut down by the big 5. Sad but true story. Awesome to see it running!!
Thank you so much for watching!
model A Fords had safety glass in 1929
The efficacy of SEAT BELTS was proven by the aviation industry FAR in advance of Fools in the car industry. Catching up to technology After The Fact is bullshit.
@Ifyouonlyknew howbad Heavy Drum Brakes!
@@bikejunk1 No, they called it "Safety glass", but it was not safe. It didn't crumble like safety glass is supposed to.
I was so surprised to see this site as I was 'surfing' CZcams. We are related. Preston Tucker was my uncle and his wife Vera in my aunt. She was my mom's oldest sister. My mom was the youngest of 6 children, Vera was the oldest. I am 72 yrs old and last saw Uncle Preston when he and Aunt Vera came to visit us in Southern California around 1954 or so. I was a few months shy of 7 years old when he passed away. My mom and dad were invited to the premier of the car in Chicago back in 1947 ( two years before I was born [1949]). This video was very interesting and started me thinking of long passed family members. Funny how that works. It was nice to see you in the video. Not sure of our exact relationship to each other , 3rd cousins or something, ??? Also was wondering what lineage you came from, which of Uncle Preston or Aunt Vera's 5 kids. Anyway, I am now a subscriber so I will be checking out your other stuff from now on. Take care.
Wow!! Funny another family member just posted as well. My grandfather was Johnny, Preston and Vera’s youngest son. I’d love to chat, drop me a line at info@tuckercorporation.com if you get a chance.
Sounds like FIRST COUSINS, twice removed.
Isn’t life strange and wonderful!!
That’s so cool
It is a small world, you will find relatives everywhere now and then.
@@Night56Owl According to my first ex wife, they are first cousins, once removed. I am only relaying that as hearsay, but both she and her cousin took genealogy classes in college and agree on the relationship. Those two also agreed that in formal genealogy there is no such thing as second cousins which I had always heard was a real thing so who knows what is real or recognized.
The Tucker story was one of the inspirations I had to become a mechanic. 30 years later I am now teaching apprentices here in Australia.
Very cool, thanks for watching!
Wow that has to be one of the quietest engines ever made. That really purrs
I'm from Syracuse, NY, home of the Franklin automobile and the Air Cooled Engine plant. My grandfather worked at the Franklin plant making cars into the early 1930's. I was fortunate enough to have been allowed access to a Tucker at a Sarasota, FL automobile museum back in the early 1980's while doing research for my Master's program in Engineering. I'm looking around my old papers for the serial numbers of that particular Tucker. It was such an impressive and forward-thinking design. I'm glad many of these cars were saved and restored!
Tucker was way ahead of his time, awesome 👌
agreed, thanks for watching!
Runs so smoothly. Beautiful!
As a huge aviation nerd, it was the fact that the Tucker had the Franklin engine in it that drew me to being a fan of that car and its fascinating history.
Up until this video, I never knew Tucker bought Franklin and I never knew that the engine was converted to water-cooled from air-cooled. The Bell 47 helicopter in which that little Franklin engine began its life, was as legendary a piece of engineering as the Tucker Torpedo. Thank you for this very informative video. No other engine sounds like that.
Don’t worry, we are nerds about this stuff too! Thanks for watching
I recall a Franklin aircraft engine company in El Segundo, CA when I was learning to fly nearby but don't think they went out of production in 1948. I seem to recall other engines made for aircraft after that. Was that not the same manufacturing company?
It's a true delight to see this marvelous piece of engineering back running where it belongs in Tucker #50. These cars were years ahead of anything on the road in 1948 and in some ways they rival modern cars. Preston Tucker was truly a man well ahead of the curve.
We agree Keith, thanks so much for watching!
Thats why Detroit had him shut down.
so are you saying this engine was originally in this car, then the car was sold without its engine, and now somehow they are reunited? I'm confused.
Someone, maybe you guys, needs to buy Tucker Motors and bring these back.
Yeah, that's exactly what they are saying. The engine and car got separated, but now they are back.
Tucker Needs to be Back in Production!
VERY smooth running engine compared to the other Tuckers that I have heard run. Mark has that engine dialed in very nicely.
Yes he does, thanks for watching!
Aircraft engines are powerful, and precise. I've flown helicopters with Franklin engines.
Also helps the engine has zero miles.
My father was a tool and die maker for Air Cooled Motors (old Liverpool road plant) at that time, he told me that they had contracts for early helicopter engines as well as fixed wing aircraft. Franklin was bought by the Polish government, who continued building engines until investors bought Franklin and brought it back to the US. I’ve heard that both the 4 and 6 cylinder models are still available as “crate engines” for use now, still considered very good engines in their HP range.
It's a shame what they did to your grandfather. Just think how different the car industry would be today if they just left him alone. I love boxer engine's
We think about that all the time! Thanks for watching
Then get a Subaru. More powerful and water cooled.
These cars were ahead of their time,and the story behind it is a interesting "underdog" story I have been fascinated with since I seen/read about it.
My father in law owned Tuckers Tucker. The one with chrome around the windows. Now in the Peterson museum. I still have the manufactures liscence plate and a center front grill on my garage wall. The one under the headlight
Very cool, if you even want to part with those original parts let us know at info@tuckercorporation.com!
Preston Tucker was brilliant. I’ve always remembered the rare roast scene from the movie. The man knew how to make a point.
Just the fact that you have the last Tucker engine made is quite something... 😮
Love the video!! My dad rode in a Tucker when he was 8, he passed last year. He talked about all the new features that the car had that was far above the top three at the time. My grandfather had apparently won the Tucker dealership for Hillsdale Michigan right before they killed the Tucker. Said the demo car had a neon sign on the back that said “you’ve just been passed by a Tucker”.
The engine sounds awesome! Great that it had such high torque back then and with a one barrel even. A better trans and induction and who knows what it could have been. You hit on something with the Porsche comment...
Thanks, we are Porsche fans as well. Thanks for watching!
Maybe it's something common to the flat / opposed engine design? (shrug)
@@madpogue opposed twin engines are generally very torquey some lawn mower engines have a opposed twin layout that just has brutal bottom end torque
@@prestontuckersspeedshop1948 This is not an opposed piston engine. Opposed engines have 2 pistons in the same bore. This is a flat or horizontal engine. Look up Commer knocker engine to see how an opposed engine is designed and works. Most opposed engines are two stroke diesels.
Wow what a smooth engine, it really deserves to be put back where it was supposed to be. Love this channel!
Thank you, we will keep the videos coming!
@@prestontuckersspeedshop1948 ,
I'm looking forward to that too. Thank you for posting.
Interesting you say the power feels like a Porsche, Mike. It struck me as I watched and listened to them drive by at the AACA museum last weekend that they sounded like bad-ass 911s idling by. What a thrill it would have been to hear one wind out and scream! It was a real pleasure and honor meeting you and Sean at the 75th anniversary event in Hersey. Thank you for taking the time to attend and present! All of us fans are very blessed to have you!
That would have been a perfect power plant back in the day for Generators, Irrigation or farm Machinery
One was actually used for an irrigation pump. Thanks for watching!
I remember hearing that the engines were set up like many aircraft - as a Quick Change Unit. If you had a problem - you pulled into a dealer, they swapped engines in an hour or two, and you drove away with a different (Running) engine - while the dealer had all the time they needed to diagnose and repair the engine properly, without being rushed, and when the next customer came in with a problem engine - they got that engine.... and so on, and so on. THAT is why Tucker cars and engine numbers don't match. BRILLIANT idea! Convenient for the customer, and better product from the mechanics.
That’s correct, the plan was to provide loaner engines while the owners engine was being repaired (if needed). Thanks for watching!
Tucker was selling more than just a car, he was selling his name and he wanted to be sure it was a good name that would stand behind their product. Unheard of these days .
@@Wooley689 Its all about greed and power now.
The scheme to frame Tucker for crimes he did not commit was the unholy brainchild of a ruthless politician.
It's always been about greed and power. That's not a critique of capitalism but human nature.
I got to see this car and engine on display at Dick's Garage in San Marcos, TX. I just sat there, staring and taking it all in. Such an amazing car in person.
Agreed! Thanks for watching
Same, was a great collection, sad to see it go.
Heard after Dick died his wife wanted it all gone because he spent too much time on it, lol
It's like walking backwards in time! Absolutely fascinating!
I dig that you are keeping the memory alive. I try to explain to my son that his grandfather was involved in the design and development of a missile, the "Shellie". Tho never adopted by being overshadowed by the TOW it was incredible piece of history that's pretty much been been forgotten. Well, I know the story, I have the commemorative "sheliegh" with the bronze coin affixed...kinda cool. Front side talks about the weapon being swift, silent, & deadly...back side "Ford Aerospace Division" knock me over with a feather!
Glad I found your channel. Looking forward to more about this amazing story.
Thank you so much!
My passion for the Tucker came full circle when I was privileged to attend the 75th Anniversary bash at the AACA Museum. It was a pleasure to meet you all! Just hanging out with fellow enthusiasts in a room full of Tuckers was an amazing experience. The parade on Saturday was the perfect end to a perfect event. Thank you, one and all.
Wow just discovered this site .. Porsche and Tucker are my 2 favorite car designers. The movie was fascinating. Definitely subscribed to this site!!
I saw my first Tucker in Las Vegas @ The Imperial Hotel , It was roped off , I would have spent days walking around it and under it . Don't know what number it was , just glad thatr I was able to see one in person .
Thanks for watching!
Truly a story of "love at first sight " when I saw a documentary (well before Jeff Bridges) about the Big Three-v-Tucker Motors. I remember reading Andy Granitelli's(sp) magazine articles about the futuristic car that was and then was not!
Supposed to be four wheel drives run by hydraulic motors and a headlight that turned to show the road in a curve. Oh, it was Fantastic!
Seeing a Tucker car and engine is a THRILL!!!
Can hardly wait for the next video! Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching!
Wow, your great-grandfather continues to make history! It would be cool to learn about the provenance of the engine, similar to how you listed the car's owners. And how you learned of the connection between them.
A few goosebumps when Mark hit the starter; that sound is awesome. Looking forward to seeing it take #50 down the road.
What an amazing historical first start!
Thank you for watching!
I wish that you could produce these Cars today , at 73 and retired , I would find a way to own one and drive more . I know that you are very proud of your Grandfather , and rightly so . Preston tucker was a Genius and a gentleman , whom I wish that I would have had the privilege of knowing . It is a tragedy that the politics of the day took its' toll on this fantastic Automobile and the Tucker Family . I wish you were celebrating the 71st anniversary by introducing the Tucker Automobile for sale again . ! Well , maybe for the 75th anniversary . Please keep up the good work and your Pride ! I also just now found your website and will continue to watch and hope !
Thank you so much Dennis!
Although I've seen a number of Tucker automobile videos, this is the first one I've seen that focused on the power plant. Even though the Tucker never went into full production, both the car and the engine are a fascinating piece of American automotive and engineering history. Thanks for sharing!
I saw a tucker in Las Vegas back in the early 90's...what a good looking car..I wish they were made today.
Thanks for watching!
My grandparent's farm was close to the Tucker plant, and my dad said my grandmother would get all excited to see them test driving a Tucker!
Very cool, thanks for watching!
That's such an amazing find a crepe motor was never run wow I wish Tucker cars will come back I would buy one thank you for the video
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
As a kid, my Dad and I got to ride in Tucker number 14, a blue model and what an impressive ride! The owner opened it up, squealed the tires around the freeway cloverleaf, easily hit 90 mph. Under hard braking the car didn't dive forward but stayed level. What an honor to have experienced this! I don't recall the owner's name, it was in California. My Dad restored cars from the late 20's, Franklin being his favorite. Thanks 4 the video!
Hey Arne, that was probably Bill Hamlin, and that car is now owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Very cool story!
@@prestontuckersspeedshop1948 Hamlin's name does sound familiar, I could be off a couple numbers but 14 sticks in my mind. It was a very exciting ride for a little kid! Thanks for responding! PS- Seems like it was featured in Popular Science in the 60's.
I am an 82 yo fan of Tucker [and other] vehicles history from Oz. I have just come across your channel and immediately subscribed. Great to see and gain family insight of the man and his creation. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
It must be a good feeling completing his automotive dream as intended. He was a guy ahead of his time.
Thank you so much for your videos. I absolutely love the Tucker and have a huge appreciation for the history. Love the detail and story you've shared!!
We will keep them going, thanks for watching!
Back in 1970 my brother and I were scrounging for certain auto parts in Koch's Motorcycle / auto salvage yard in Denver, Colorado. In a shed, we came across a box with a cover. We peeked inside and there was a pristine Tucker engine. We were dazzled. We thought all Tucker engines were in Tucker automobiles.
Preston Tucker is one of my top three innovative engineering heroes ❤ And yes, I believe the big three were definitely in on his demise. Such a shame 😢
The engine is dialed in nicely and runs very well. Looking forward to seeing it in the car and being broken in for the first time!
Coming soon! Thanks for watching.
True information about Tucker 48: czcams.com/video/j1rpCI8hGvo/video.html
Wow! What a beautifully engineered engine! Simply amazing:)-John in Texas
Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for the video. What a privilege to see that beautiful piece of history sing. Hope you make a vid of number 50 on the road! God bless...
Thanks for watching!
I got to see that motor when the last owner had it at his classic car museum.
Very cool, thanks for watching!
I don't know what antifreeze that was mentioned, but I do know normal Ethylene Glycol will jell in it's jugs if it gets very old. I was given some never opened standard 30 year old green Ethylene Glycol and it came out of the jugs in green globs. Maybe what was in that engine was even older and more solid, so to speak.
Could be, thanks for watching!
Purrs like a kitten and vacuum gauge is rock solid.
Mark’s got it dialed in! Thanks for watching
Man did you guys get any pictures of the internals? Cause that’d be the truly fascinating stuff, how the heads and barrels worked etc.
Yes! it was amazingly clean inside. In the future we will post another video of the internals of a Tucker motor.
Yes! What he said! I'm guessing no water jackets around the cylinders? This is fascinating stuff for some of us...so please, give us what ya got!
@@prestontuckersspeedshop1948 Hello, can you please tell us where this car and engine are at? That engine sounds as smooth as a Swiss watch! It just purrssss. What octane does it run on? Ty and keep up with the great videos. I'd also love to see pics of the engine!
Thank you for preserving this fantastic history.
We are doing our best, thanks for watching!
I helped Wayne McKinley with his collections, but never saw this engine. As an old retired mechanic, this would have been great to see.
What an awesome piece of automotive history. I really enjoyed seeing this.
Thanks so much for watching!
Man the sound of that beast! Real life time travel!
It is a torque monster! Thanks so much for watching.
Magnificent video! Thank you!!
Went to high school with Preston Tucker lll in Scottsdale,Az in the late 60's. He was a year older than me, but I learned the Tucker story at a young age. Got to see the Tucker on display at the Smithsonian in the 80s as you walked into the front door. A real treat!
Franklin also built some beautiful cars which were air cooled. I m old enough to have seen unrestored Franklins still being used as daily drivers .Even the Front axles of Franklin cars were a work of art.
Agreed, we are Franklin fans too! Thanks for watching.
You tuber Johnathan Winian has a Franklin . Started watching his channel for the hot rods he was building but he's been sidetracked by his love of steam engines. A hugely interesting and entertaining channel, I highly recommend it. The Tucker looks a fantastic car.
@@anthonycarty9433
Completely agree!!! Jonathan is truly a unique and hugely interesting individual!!! Quite inspirational!!
What an amazing engine! Imagine if it had dual carbs( ala corvair). Love the video, look forward to many more! Thanks
Thanks so much for watching!
How about if it had quad carbs (ala 140 HP Corvair)!
Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you very much!
So awesome to see it running 😀👍🏻
Thank you for watching!
Great video, that's a great engine. Many hours running the Franklin 220HP in an old Maule M4.
Thanks so much for watching!
I've never seen a Tucker engine. Amazing content I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks for watching!
Super Awesome! Love Tucker"s dream machine!
Thanks for watching!
can't wait for the next video
That motor REALLY sounds awesome. Excellent video. I have seen the movie probably 10 times.
Cool, Thanks for watching!
Love how it sounds
In the 1970's I lived in Vallejo California. There was a tire store called Tucker Tire Sales. Inside the store was pictures of Tucker cars on the walls. Somebody there told me that the building was to be a Tucker dealship and when they never got any cars, they started selling tires. According to the internet, the store is still in business.
Very well could have been! They had a couple thousand dealers signed up by mid 1948. Thanks for watching!
Yea tucker tire still around covina calif and capistranio dont know if it any realation but they do physically go to local tire shops and threatin them if they undersell them on prices
IN THE 70,S THE WIFE KIDS AND I HAD A HOME ALONG RT, 422 NEAR EBENSBURG PA. OUR NEIGHBOR ACROSSED THE HIGHWAY WAS ONE OF THE DEALERS THEY HAD ONE OF THE TUCKERS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOOLS TO SERVICE THEM ,I THINK THEY WERE ALL CALLED BACK, I MEAN I DON,T THINK ANY OF THE CARS WERE SOLD TO CUSTOMERS ! ....////
This is so cool/fascinating to watch. I only learned of the Tucker due to a Clive Cussler novel I was reading years ago, and I've been hooked on the car ever since. Such amazing foresight, design, innovation and ingenuity, especially for the time. I think it's a shame so few people know about this marvel of engineering, especially people about my age (23).
Thanks for the video! Can't wait to see more about this car and engine!
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video, love the history! My father somehow came up with a TUCKER emblem, and mounted it on the dash of his 1949 Studebaker pickup. As far as I know, we are not related, but it was a cool conversation piece.
Thanks so much for watching!
The car and stories are fascinating, subscribed and enjoying every bit of it.
Thank you!
Interesting content. Enjoyed it.
One of the most beautiful and unique cars ever to roll of a production line. I wish they had been successful!
We do too, thanks for watching!
Awesome show!
Thank you!
What an awesome sounding motor!
Absolutely stunning video in a historical context.
Thanks for watching!
I still want one , have done since I was 13 when I found out about them in the library motoring section 42 years ago , loving the format of the Tucker universe , as well as seeing them in the shop .
as a small child I was obsessed with automotive design and talked my parents into ordering a Tucker. my dad was all in mom not to match. I remember the snarky radio announcer announcing Tucker's arrest. I think I threw something at the radio. I was about 12 years old. love your channel thank you.
Thank you for watching!
I 've had a lovely small model of a light blue tucker on my desk since highschool. loved that car.
Thanks for watching!
Glad to stumble across your channel. My Grandpa worked for the Tucker Family in Ypsilanti, Michigan just after he was discharged from the Army and came home from World War Two.
Wow, very cool! Thanks for watching
would love to see it do a dyno pull and see the power/torque curves
Check out our other videos and thanks for watching!
I have seen 3 of these cars-one being used. I eyed that thing front to back and in the open window and went to get film for my camera...it was gone when I got back. Many years later there was a pair at the LeMay Collection at Marymount, slowly turning on a giant turntable...
LeMay still has #7 I believe. Thanks so much for watching!
Very interesting...love the tucker
I ALWAYS loved these cars, subscribed!
Great movie too
Thank you so much!
Excellent video.
Thank you for watching!
I got to ride in a Cessna 172 (modified) that had a Franklin 235 HP in it. Franklin engines are stout! With the addition of Preston's knowledge,,,, yep the Tucker was way ahead of its time! Thanks for the video!
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
That was pretty damn good
Thanks for watching!
Very educational, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Great sound!
We’ve slowly been figuring it out. Check out the latest video we posted and let us know if it is better.
Ive always wanted a tucker since I was a kid. Such a cool car. I hope I can actually see one in person someday.
I hope so, thanks for watching!
Wow thanks guy i had never seen one of those in running shape before. I bet if someone could remanufacture a copy and get it to mount up with a modern transmission wow would be glorious.
Thanks for watching!
The difference between Tucker and Musk is that Musk won against the major manufacturers.
Both in my opinion are visionaries, and the status quo hates that.
Agreed, what could have been! Thanks so much for watching.
Well I could show you how to run the world without money and everybody could have everything available to them but, nobody's willing to listen or what took me a lifetime to learn and 12 years to write, let alone read it. So if anything's saddens me more is the fact that no one would do it.
PS. Well besides me whining, cool car. And what you said.👍 Thank you. Age 64.
Back then the Status Quo didnt want ANY competition that would upset the Big 3.
Did you notice how fast the Big 3 got on board once Musk started producing electric vehicles. It is because "Green Technology" has massive government backing and funding. There is no way the Big 3 could have shut down Musk in this environment, but post-war when everyone was getting back on their feet....I just get so angry when I think about what they did to Tucker.
Its so unAmerican, but it was a preview of what we see today.
@@dezznutz3743 Elon wasn't even mentioned much less invited to the EV summit at the Whitehouse. Says a lot about this administration.
@@tihspidtherekciltilc5469
Not a big fan of Elon but would have to agree with your statement as to how far from "truth" all of the "land of opportunity" rhetoric actually is at this moment!!! ;o( What was done to Preston in 1948 goes on routinely and legally every day in Washington via "Special Interest" and the thousands of lobbyists who "bribe" our "representatives" every day.
Very interesting - thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I've always been fascinated by the Tucker and its history. I guess mainly because I'm a Tucker and it turns out my grandfather's name was Preston Tucker and he had a machine shop in Big Spring Wisconsin
Very cool, Thanks so much for watching!
One word…Smooth!
That’s amazing! Tucker was before it’s time!
I know an old gentleman that has a stock certificate of Tucker company
Very cool, thanks for watching!
Smooth running engine!!
Thank you for watching!
WOW........that engine sounds really good !!! Just stumbled across your channel & subscribed, because I wanna see this engine installed in the Tucker automobile and driven!
Stay tuned and thanks for watching!
My dad used to work with Junior Tucker back in the 1960's at Rocketdyne in Neosho Missouri. My dad, Racy Storm, told us stories about Junior and we did meet him on a few occasions. He left Rocketdyne and my dad moved on to the Apollo Program in Florida. One of the things my father told me is that one day the real story would be told about how the big automakers feared him because he criticized big car companies were putting for putting profit ahead of safety. I always admired Junior and his father.
Very interesting content! Thanks for this video!! SUBSCRIBED
Thanks for watching!
Sounds pretty good.