Ever seen Preston Tucker's roadster?

While Preston Tucker was busy designing and building America's revolutionary car, it seems Preston Jr. was building a hot rod. He wrote to the editors of Hot Rod Magazine in Sept '48 asking about dual plug heads and Milan (read that Kinmont) brakes for his '32 roadster. No wonder Dad's company went bust. The kid was stealing parts for his personal projects.

Hot Rod, September 1948:

 

And then, a half year later, Jr. has to sell the roadster. Dad must have caught him stealing parts from the warehouse. Has anyone ever seen pictures of this car?

Hot Rod, May 1949:

 

That's a pretty good observation. I wish my dad had a bunch of cool stuff to steal for my hot rod. Oh wait, he does! And so does my brother!

 

Isn't this the same car HotRod did a feature on in the late fifties when it had been fit with a turbine engine? If so I believe it ended up in the Harold Lemay collection.

 

Scruff, if that is the same hot rod it is in the LeMay collection. Can anyone here verify that Tucker's roadster was the one they put the turbine engine into?

 

Seen Preston Tucker's roadster?
No, but I've heard about Forrest Tucker's dick!

 

you have piqued my curiousity. anxious to hear/see more.

 

[ QUOTE ]
Seen Preston Tucker's roadster?
No, but I've heard about Forrest Tucker's dick!

[/ QUOTE ]

And you're from San Francisco - go figure....


Mutt

 

I didn't mean to pique (especially with the comment about Forrest Tucker), I wanted more info myself.

Has anybody ever seen a picture of this car?

I really doubt it was the jet engine car, but can anybody prove it?


- alchemy

 

i'd like to see BOTH. Tucker was one of my childhood heros.

 

Quote - "i'd like to see BOTH. Tucker was one of my childhood heros."

I hope you don't mean both Forrest and Preston Tucker's rods.

 

Forrest Tucker was purported to be the biggest star in Hollywood.
Preston Tucker obviously had pretty big nuts.

That's my only point.

 

Damn Alchemy...long winter in Iowa??? Reading all yer old mags!

 

Poor kid probably had to sell it to help with Dad's legal expenses.

Frank C.

 

Very cool adds to read!

JEFF

 

I've been to the LeMay open house many times, and have seen this Roadster. Yes it's the one. According to the old sign board telling the story, (and it's a LONG one) but Preston Tuckers kid didn't put the turbine engine in it, that came later by a Boeing engineer I believe. I remember back in the 80s hearing this thing coming into "All Ford day" at Husky Stadium. It stopped the entire crowd, as we all heard the unmisstakeable sound of a Jet airplane taxiing into the parking lot. It has no reverse, and is a direct drive, no trans. It has 8" brass exhaust pipes coming out both sides. I'll find my pics, and post 'em as soon as I can.

 

I tried to get the image but am ignorant. Here's the link to a pdf file. I'm sure somebody on here is smart enough to lift the image and post it here.

www.lemaymuseum.org/file_viewer.php?id=492&dt=pdf

 

the Lemay article mentioned that Len Williams(who installed the turbine) had paid $50 for a dilapidated rusty 32 from Tuckers son and that jr had found a pristine 32...so it sounds as tho' there was another 32 that he had over $2500 into and wanted $1500 or offer...must be another 32 Tucker roadster out there also ?...

 

Resurrected after 5 years and still no pics. Not even of Forrest's!

 

I'd agree. It doesn't sound like the LeMay Museum roadster is the one that Preston was selling in the original posts.

 

Here 'tis. I remember seeing it in the thread about Tucker pictures.

 

That's the one I posted the link to.

 

I remember in an R&C bit on that car, they said they have to be careful parking it because the exhaust melts the plastic off of new cars parked beside it!

 

Sorry it's so dark. But you can see the detail in the build.

 

Here's some more pics of the turbine 32. Check out those exhaust pipes.

 

Just saw a picture here on the Hamb in the last day or two. A series of photos at a weekend car show. I saw a shot of an engine bay with this engine. Odd how things turn up here. Was going to ask about details but ran out of time. Stumbled across this post while surfing 1940's period correct hot rods
Anyone else see the engine in the recent car show post ?

 

I wonder where the SPEED Shop is in Flint? I'm gonna look for that addy today!

 

here is a picture of "the speed shop" in Flint probally the channeled roadster that was for sale in the ad as well. (not tuckers roadster)

 

Less than 3 miles from my house. Now it's some kind of warehouse. Kinda neat.

 

That is amazing that you found that pic! Now find me a pic of the Tucker roadster. I don't believe it is the LeMay car, even after all these guys say so.