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Preston Tucker was an entrepreneur who made a number of contributions to the vehicular word. He designed the "Tucker Turret" (from which his fortune was made) which found success in WWII bombers. Then, there was his controversial Tucker '48 car, so far ahead of its time that the Big Three not only noticed but also sought to quash it by ruining Tucker himself. They killed the car but not Tucker's reputation.
FM's tribute to this forward-thinking piece of automotive history boasts a fully carpeted interior and front storage compartment, which includes a spare tire and a set of custom-made luggage. Under the rear deck lid is a spot-on reproduction of the pancake six (air-cooled on the prototype, but water-cooled on the production models). There's even a prop to hold the lid open. The regular production model is done in "Waltz Blue," which was Mrs. Tucker's favorite color. Up front is the famous "Cyclops" center headlight and, on the rear deck lid, a decal of the Tucker family crest.
Known for reproducing some of the more unusual model cars, Franklin Mint has done Preston Tucker's memory proud with this fine collectible. Don't let the absence of some of the more recent features keep you from owning a model of this groundbreaking car. There's also a limited 50th anniversary edition in gold paint (see Review). The issue price was $135. DISCONTINUED 1998.(12/28/1998)
(12/30/1998)
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