The Tucker'48 automotive, fruit Preston Thomas Tucker and was designed by the famous designer Alex Tremulis, is one of the last trials, a manufacturer of automotive and the breakthrough on the upper car sales. At the end of the big three continue to dominate the next forty years. Preston Tucker was one of the most recognized figures for the end of 1940, so controversial and puzzling, as the name of the automotive industry. His car was welcomed as "the first completely new car in fifty years." Because the advertising promised that "the car, you wait." Nevertheless, much less critical complement the car looked like a fraud and a chimera. The Tucker numerous innovations have been and are still surrounded by controversy. A standard, before they have a chance of success, he died in the middle of the bad press and financial scandal after only fifty-one mounted.
A large part of the demand of the automotive industry Tucker is the man behind her. Six foot high and always well dressed, Preston Tucker had an almost manic enthusiasm for the automobile industry. Born 21st September 1903 in Capac, Michigan, Preston Thomas Tucker spent his childhood around the mechanical garage and used car lots. He worked as a male office in Cadillac, a policeman in Lincoln Park, and worked for a while at the Ford Motor Company. After visiting the Cass Technical School in Detroit, Tucker, the sale primarily for Studebaker, Stutz, Chrysler, and finally as regional director for Pierce-Arrow.
As a seller, Tucker Crusaders speedway in Indianapolis with the great designer engines Harry A. Miller, and in 1935 they formed Miller-Tucker, Inc. The first contract was the construction of the racing cars for Henry Ford, the company has ten Miller Ford Indy car racing, but it reveals not sufficient to Ford and the project.
During the Second World War, from the automobile companies, the transactions were under pressure from the war. Rejection of new vehicles for four years, by the end of the war, Americans had a hurry for a new car, new car. The time has come to deal with Tucker in his dream. In 1946, he formed Tucker Corporation for the manufacture of automobiles.
He has his sites on the old Dodge plant Cicero (south of Chicago). With more than 475 hectares, the plant builds engines B29 in the Second World War, and its main building, located on 93 hectares, was the largest in the world under one roof. The war Active Administration (PLP) Tucker rented the work under the assumption that 15 million U.S. dollars capital of 1 March the following year. In July, Tucker moved and in every room available to build prototypes, while the PLP inventory of plants and materials.
The fledgling company had immediately need money, and Tucker soon discover that the support of businessmen, such an enterprise, means some sacrifice, if not all, the control of his company. For Tucker, it was not an option, it was an intelligent alternative. It began the sale of franchise dealers and soon issues $ 6 million U.S. dollars, which must be seized until his car was delivered. The franchise drew the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in September 1946 he began an investigation, the first in a series, which will continue for the next three years.
The agreements have been re-written to the satisfaction of the SEC and franchise marketing. In October, Tucker has begun; another proposal of $ 20 million U.S. dollars in the stock question depends on a prototype ready and the approval of the SEC. In the same month Tucker met his first serious obstacle. Wyatt Wilson, director of the National Agency for Housing, the PLP to cancel the rental Tucker and turn the work in the Lustron Corporation for prefabricated houses to build houses.
Tucker May, one unfortunate character in a bureaucratic war between home and WAA, but the fight lasted until the January 1947. Sales fell by openness, stocks issues have been delayed, and Tucker, the reputation was severely damaged. In the end, he kept his plants, but the episode has been a real enemy in Washington, including Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan. But Tucker has found few allies. The WAA Tucker amount of $ 15 million in cash payable 1st July and by Nevada Senator George Malone started his own investigations into the SEC.
During this time; Tucker is still a prototype to build. During the Christmas season 1946, he designed Alex Tremulis his car and ordered the prototype ready in 100 days. The timetable is unknown, but necessary. Can clay, is a model, engineers, many racing, began with brass, a ridiculous way, a car, but a phenomenal success. The first car completely in hand was affectionately nicknamed the "Tin Goose."
The first Tucker'48 June 19, 1947 in the factory by Tucker before the press, dealers, distributors and brokers. Tucker much later disposal of the Tin Goose functions, such as 24-volt electrical system starter cubes alternately massive 589-inch engine. For the Prime Minister, the workers replaced two 12-volt batteries truck with more than 150 books, Tucker led to the suspension arm of the fault. Schleppte speeches to workers behind the curtain trying feverishly to the Tin Goose and running. Finally, before the mass of 5000, parted curtains and Tucker automobile getünchtes the ramp of the stage and in their territory, where it is appropriate, it remained for the rest of the evening. Stock finally authorized the sale on the 15th July.
In the spring of 1948, Tucker has a production line driver, but their stock issue was $ 5 million short, and it has again need money immediately. It started pre-purchase plan Tucker car accessories such as radios and bags. Although he raised 2 million U.S. dollars, advance payment on the equipment for a car not yet in production was the last straw for the SEC. From May 28, 1948, SEC and the Justice Department has a full scale investigation. The investigators have throughout the plant and Tucker was forced to stop production and on foot to 1600. Seizure and bankruptcy is aufgestapelt, creditors and bolt dipped stock.
The SEC had the case that the car Tucker could not be built, or if built, not as announced. But Tucker was cars. Sept Tuckers, the wonderfully with the speed tests in Indianapolis, November, always round 90 mph speed. But after the grace, with a skeletal crew of workers took the 50 other vehicles from the company ever produced. In January 1949 the plant closed and the company was under surveillance.
"Gigantic Tucker in the indictment of fraud in the SEC" has Detroit News headline Mars. Article SEC a report on the recommendation of the conspiracy and fraud charges by Tucker. Incensed, Tucker asked how the newspaper's report had noted before him. SEC commissioner John McDonald later admitted he gave the report to the paper in direct violation of the law. Feeling trial and been convicted, Tucker wrote an open letter sent to a number of newspapers across the country.
In June 10, Tucker and seven of its employees before a grand jury indictment on 31 Guide - 25 for fraud, postal address, 5 for violation of ESA regulation, and a conspiracy to defraud. The trial began on 5 October 1949 and the beginning of persecution because of their entire folder on the "Tin Goose" prototype. It has refused the production of 50 cars and called witnesses to witnesses, in the afternoon against survey, began violating the fall of the government. Final, Tucker's defense team said only that the government failed to prove any of the offences there was nothing to defend.
In January 22, the jury said the defendants innocent of any attempt of fraud, but the judgement was a small triumph. The company has already lost. The other assets, including vehicle-Tucker, which were sold for 18 cents on the dollar. And incredibly, Preston Tucker began again. In 1951 he went to Brazil to ensure support for a new car. With the new project almost in the way it was with lung cancer. He died December 26, 1956.
