Tucker #46
dayna240sx
06-10-2003, 08:47 PM
Earlier today I was driving home after a long, rough day and saw a Tucker, on a trailer and couldn't believe it.. It was parked on a trailer behind an RV, so I pull into the parking lot and began walking around it in awe. It had a paper in the window, do not touch, this is number 46 you know the normal stuff one would expect to see on such a car... So then I did it, I did something stupid, I looked underneath it from the rear (because I noticed the idiot who strapped it down did not cross strap the rear and was curious if it had something to do with the rear engine/drivetrain etc) Then I saw it... a rear differential.. my mouth dropped, my Goosebumps went away, and I was furious!! SACRILEGE!!! I looked closer and saw a driveshaft and exhaust pipes coming from the front.... FROM THE FRONT!!!
I took pictures anyway, its not often that you see a Tucker
I took pictures anyway, its not often that you see a Tucker
dayna240sx
06-10-2003, 08:48 PM
Sorry I dont know how to put mulitple pics in one post.
dayna240sx
06-10-2003, 08:51 PM
I emailed Tucker about the whole engine swap, here is what someone replied:
Thank you for the email you in regards to Tucker #1046. Here is the very interesting story of this car.
When the Tucker factory was shut down several employees came in on their own time and completed or nearly completed 13 cars. Tucker #1046 was one of these last cars built.
In the 1950's a man by the name of Nick Jenin started to purchase anything Tucker he coud find. He ended up owning 10 Tuckers, several engines, test chassis, and assorted memorbilia. He took these cars around the country and displayed them at fairs, armories and civic halls.
He wanted to have a Tucker that he could drive all the time so he removed the chassis and engine and used it in his show. He then place the body of Tucker #1046 onto an Oldsmobile chassis with a front engine. Remember that the car was only 16 years old and considered a novelty rather than a collectible.
In the early 1960's he decided to sell his collection and offered it "complete" for $38,000. That was for 10 cars! Today that is nearly 10% of what you would pay for a Tucker. He could not find any buyers. The famed Harrah's collection in Reno thought it was, "far too much for a bunch of cars that will never amount to anything". They apparently changed their opinion because they have owned 3 Tuckers over the years.
In 1963 Jenin sold Tucker #1046 to a Oregon Mercury dealer who decided to place a new 1964 Mercury chassis and engine under the car. They used it to promote his dealership for years. Later they became very involved with preserving the Tucker story by being a member of the Tucker Automobile Club of America.
Due to health problems the car was offered for sale in June 2002 at the Las Vegas Kruse Auction held at the Mandalay Bay Casino. This rare car was offered at "No Reserve" meaning the highest bidder would own it. The car sold at a bargin price to a couple from Arizona.
Since that time they have been busy working toward bringing the car back original or as close to it as possible. He has been attempting to locate an original Tucker engine and transmission, reworked the upholstery and detailed the car. Currently they plan on leaving the1964 engine in the car and enjoying it until or if they can bring it back to original condition.
These folks are very enthusiastic about their new treasure and had intended to drive it from their home in Arizona to Grand Rapids Michigan for the National Tucker Convention. Due to overheating problems on long runs they decided to play it safe and trailer the car to Michigan.
The Tucker convention will take place next week with a special Tucker Motorcar Day at the Gilmore Car Museum near Kalamazoo. If you love Tuckers you should try to make it up for this landmark event. We currently have Tucker #1002 from California, 1017 from Florida, 1046 of Arizona and #1047 of Michigan attending. This will be the first time since 1948 that Tuckers 1046 and 1047 have sat next to each other!
The children of Preston and Vera Tucker will be on hand as will former Tucker employees. Phil Egan - former design team member will be there signing his book and Lisa Cowan, former publicist with Lucas Films will be there speaking about the 1988 movie "Tucker: The Man and His Dream".
I am not sure where you saw Tucker #1046 but my guess is you are north of St. Louis, which puts you within 7 hours of the museum.
Visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org and www.TuckerClub.org for more information on this rare event.
I am sure once you meet the owners of #1046 and hear their enthusiasm you will agree that they are the saviors of this remarkable automobile.
Best Regards,
Jay A. Follis - Director
Tucker Historical Collection and Library
at the GILMORE CAR MUSEUM
Thank you for the email you in regards to Tucker #1046. Here is the very interesting story of this car.
When the Tucker factory was shut down several employees came in on their own time and completed or nearly completed 13 cars. Tucker #1046 was one of these last cars built.
In the 1950's a man by the name of Nick Jenin started to purchase anything Tucker he coud find. He ended up owning 10 Tuckers, several engines, test chassis, and assorted memorbilia. He took these cars around the country and displayed them at fairs, armories and civic halls.
He wanted to have a Tucker that he could drive all the time so he removed the chassis and engine and used it in his show. He then place the body of Tucker #1046 onto an Oldsmobile chassis with a front engine. Remember that the car was only 16 years old and considered a novelty rather than a collectible.
In the early 1960's he decided to sell his collection and offered it "complete" for $38,000. That was for 10 cars! Today that is nearly 10% of what you would pay for a Tucker. He could not find any buyers. The famed Harrah's collection in Reno thought it was, "far too much for a bunch of cars that will never amount to anything". They apparently changed their opinion because they have owned 3 Tuckers over the years.
In 1963 Jenin sold Tucker #1046 to a Oregon Mercury dealer who decided to place a new 1964 Mercury chassis and engine under the car. They used it to promote his dealership for years. Later they became very involved with preserving the Tucker story by being a member of the Tucker Automobile Club of America.
Due to health problems the car was offered for sale in June 2002 at the Las Vegas Kruse Auction held at the Mandalay Bay Casino. This rare car was offered at "No Reserve" meaning the highest bidder would own it. The car sold at a bargin price to a couple from Arizona.
Since that time they have been busy working toward bringing the car back original or as close to it as possible. He has been attempting to locate an original Tucker engine and transmission, reworked the upholstery and detailed the car. Currently they plan on leaving the1964 engine in the car and enjoying it until or if they can bring it back to original condition.
These folks are very enthusiastic about their new treasure and had intended to drive it from their home in Arizona to Grand Rapids Michigan for the National Tucker Convention. Due to overheating problems on long runs they decided to play it safe and trailer the car to Michigan.
The Tucker convention will take place next week with a special Tucker Motorcar Day at the Gilmore Car Museum near Kalamazoo. If you love Tuckers you should try to make it up for this landmark event. We currently have Tucker #1002 from California, 1017 from Florida, 1046 of Arizona and #1047 of Michigan attending. This will be the first time since 1948 that Tuckers 1046 and 1047 have sat next to each other!
The children of Preston and Vera Tucker will be on hand as will former Tucker employees. Phil Egan - former design team member will be there signing his book and Lisa Cowan, former publicist with Lucas Films will be there speaking about the 1988 movie "Tucker: The Man and His Dream".
I am not sure where you saw Tucker #1046 but my guess is you are north of St. Louis, which puts you within 7 hours of the museum.
Visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org and www.TuckerClub.org for more information on this rare event.
I am sure once you meet the owners of #1046 and hear their enthusiasm you will agree that they are the saviors of this remarkable automobile.
Best Regards,
Jay A. Follis - Director
Tucker Historical Collection and Library
at the GILMORE CAR MUSEUM
dayna240sx
06-10-2003, 08:54 PM
Heres where the engine SHOULD be!
Jay!
06-10-2003, 09:02 PM
Wow!! :eek: Awesome to see, even in its 'impure state!'
How to post pictures (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34758)
How to post pictures (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34758)
Moppie
06-10-2003, 09:02 PM
That is very very cool!
I hope you replied to the email saying thanks, and prehaps even put a link to this thread in with it.
Its not often you get that detailed a reply from anyone, especialy a museum.
It sounds like you found a real, and very unique part of American Automotive history.
I hope you replied to the email saying thanks, and prehaps even put a link to this thread in with it.
Its not often you get that detailed a reply from anyone, especialy a museum.
It sounds like you found a real, and very unique part of American Automotive history.
Jimster
06-11-2003, 04:40 AM
DAMN!!!!!!:eek:
One EXTREMELY rare piece of automotive history- so amazing- if only I could see such a magnificent sight in the metal:frown:
One EXTREMELY rare piece of automotive history- so amazing- if only I could see such a magnificent sight in the metal:frown:
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