A Car Before Its Time -- And One That's Disappeared...Almost

According to family legend, one of my grandfathers plunked down a bit of cash to get in line for a heralded new car back in the late 40's -- the Tucker.

I don't remember the details of how the business failed but fail it did. Many, like my grandfather who had been sold on getting this "advanced" new automobile, lost whatever money they put as down payments. I can still remember my grandfather talking about the fact that, believe it or not, the Tucker had headlights (actually only one) that turned as the car did. That seemed so amazing to me as a little kid!

Only 51 of the "Car of the Future" touted by Preston Thomas Tucker were ever built. Those still extant are reputed to be worth between $250,000 to $500,000.

A site exists that is dedicated to the notion of keeping the history of the Tucker alive. If you'd like to take a look at automobile (and American cultural) history -- particularly of the mid-20th century -- visit Tucker Automobile Pages, "Keeping the Legend Online".