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Star of the Silver Screen: Tucker 48 Movie Car

In 1988 Francis Ford Coppola directed a biographical movie about Preston Tucker and his ultimately (and sadly) failed attempt to bring the Tucker 48 to the market. Four replica Tucker 48s were constructed for that movie, and this is one that is now up for sale. Listed for sale here on eBay, it is located in Round Lake, Illinois. It is offered with a clear title and bidding has seen the price reach $19,877.

A couple of points on this car before I go any further. It does have a title, but this is for the donor car upon which this replica was built. The donor car was a 1968 Ford LTD chassis, and this is what is reflected in the title. The other thing is that as we probably all know if it were a real Tucker then the price would be pushing well into the seven-figure range.

The body is fiberglass and has been built to simulate damage inflicted upon the car following a roll-over crash scene in the movie. The car sat dismantled for a number of years before the current owner bought and restored it. The car can be driven, but in its current state, it could be not used on the road. As a “dummy car” it lacks such items as a fully functional interior (beyond the Ford dash and bench seat) turn signals or working lights. Also, all of the glass is both smoked and stationary.

For a Tucker, the engine is at the wrong end of the car. The engine is a Ford V8 located in the front, and as stated is only there to move the car around at whatever location it is being displayed at. It’s probably best to consider this car as a stationary display object.

I’ve been sitting here trying to think of what a buyer would do with this car. What I will say is that for any person who owned a themed cafe, a car parts manufacturer or retailer, or for someone who owns a panel shop this car would make a fantastic promotional and marketing tool. It’s amazing that the Tucker 48 was a failure for so many reasons, but that it has become so iconic that one of Hollywood’s most legendary directors would have four replicas built for a movie. That represents nearly 8% of the total number of real Tuckers built.

Comments

  1. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    I wouldn’t want it unless I could drive it so a restoration is in order. I don’t care that it’s a movie prop I think it would be way cooler to be able to drive it boy the stares you’d get and the parking lot conversation you’d have. It would be fun to take to show and shines too, and it’s rare one of four. The price of admission would be a fraction of the real deal. Great find.

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Jimmy

    I love the looks of the Tucker cars, too bad it’s not a real one but then I really couldn’t afford it.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Classic Steel

    This is like the funky cold Medina (song)
    It looks like a tucker then we find out Madina was a man…

    Not into this movie prop ….

    Like 5
  4. Avatar Steve A

    Another prime example of more money than brains

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Tucker Callan

    Yup,,, No fooling. My name is Tucker.

    If I Had A Keiser, I Might Surprise Her.

    If I Had A Frasier, I Might Amaze Her

    If I Had A Tucker, Maybe I Could ….

    Like 37
    • Avatar Al

      take Her out for supper !

      Like 9
      • Avatar Will Fox

        Yea…..that too.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Ward William

        Before or after she is “tuckered”?

        Like 2
  6. Avatar Fred W

    Would be a good start for a movie car museum!

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Michael Groves

    Sally is meeting me afte her job tonight.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Dirk

    That is one wonky mother tucker all right.

    Lotta money for a lawn ornament.

    Like 7
  9. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    I remember the “Tucker” movie. I don’t know how much of it was faithful to the real events that were depicted in the movie, but I thought it was a great movie, with awesome actors. Being a car enthusiast even at the time, it sparked my interest in the Tucker 48 “Torpedeo”.

    Like 6
  10. Avatar Lance

    Waaaaaaay too much for a movie prop.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar KevinLee

    Steel (?) bumpers in the first half of the pictures, fiberglass looking ones in the second half.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Alexander Member

      I noticed that too! Could it be possible that the Volo museum, in restoring this “prop” was able to source another set of front and rear bumpers that were not chromed? Makes a lot of difference seeing the chrome ones with the word TUCKER picked out in red paint. The fit and finish in the detail photos looks pretty bad, looks as if the rear side windows don’t close all the way. Ebay listing includes NO photos of the interior. I know it is basic, but I would like to know if there is anything functional from the Ford except the front seat and steering.

      Like 1
  12. Avatar Smokey Member

    Back in the early 1960’s. I was in college at USC, SoCal. I went to visit a college buddy at his home way south of LA. In his folk’s home garage was a silver Tucker sedan. I was a little impressed as I had heard of them. His dad said I could have it for $20,000, a huge amount for any car then. They didn’t like the car. Needless to say this poor college bum didn’t have $20,000. I wonder where it is today.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Tuckeroo

      If it’s the Tucker I think it is, it was #1009. If so, it was sold to a teenager who sold it to legendary Tucker restorer Bill Hamlin, then to Bill Goodwin who loaned it to the filming of “Tucker” (it was painted gold by then). Goodwin sold it to none other than George Lucas himself, who owns it to this day! It also won the Tucker class at Pebble Beach last month!

      Like 5
      • Avatar Gay Car Nut

        I consider it a damn shame that the Tucker never made it into full production. Would it have changed the way cars were built? Maybe, maybe not. But I think it would’ve given car buyers something new and different from what the Big Three was offering at the time. :)

        Like 3
      • Avatar Smokey Member

        Thanks for the info on the Tucker story. I had lost complete track of my 1960’s Tucker family. On another subject: What is the “Official Opinion” on the much publicized two door Tucker Convertible. There seems to be only one. Have the facts on this car’s originality be verified or not. Is it real? What does the Tucker Club say? Would it be allowed into the club?

        Like 0
  13. Avatar Denis Mulheron

    A lot of the features on the Tucker became standard safety features on cars today .

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Clay Bryant

    A couple months of garage tinkering would make it drivable. I think then a person could drive it around to do promos. As it’s not a “pure” auto, I would straighten the “dents” out and make it likable again. At twenty grand I think it’s a real deal as I’ve seen people spent 2-3 times that for their “toast”. My only concern is the bidding as every bidder is listed as a private bidder and I always get a little suspect of this. And the bids, (not even automatic bids are too close for me) but what is is what is…………

    Like 2
    • Avatar Clay Bryant

      Also forgot to say, someone spent a ton on tooling for the bumpers,grill, etc.

      Like 3
  15. Avatar mark

    There’s a car museum in Tallahassee that is owned by a business man that has one of these “Tucker movie Tuckers.” I thought I had a picture of it but I don’t. The car was wrecked due to its purpose in the movie.

    Like 3
  16. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    I saw a lovely blue Tucker car. It was on display at the LeMay ACM Museum here in Tacoma, Washington. I can’t remember what the shade of blue it was, “Waltz Blue”, I don’t know. But it was gorgeous to look at. :)

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Clay Bryant

    If you want to see one along with a 1,000 drops of “eye candy”, visit the 155,000 sq. foot Speedway Museum just off I80 in Lincoln Nebraska. Incredible musum………..(understatement)

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Lew Sanborn

    I lived in Fort Lauderdale in the 1953-54 period. I got a ride in one that was a real Tucker, picked up by the owner as I was walking to the beach. A very rare car for the time.
    Lew Sanborn.Imperial Mo.

    Like 2
  19. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Very nice stand-in for the real deal. Not convinced the history of the car is well known to the masses…at least not enough to sink $20K into a cosmetic reproduction, that would likely take a great deal of work/cash to be legally roadworthy.

    Like 2
  20. Avatar James Turner

    I believe there is an original Tucker at the Hershey, Pennsylvania antique auto museum. I personally own a Tucker painted satellite blue. A 1/24Th scale metal model. LOL

    Like 2
    • Avatar Miguel

      James, it is much easier to store a 1/24th scale than a 1 to 1 scale.

      Even if you had 24 of the small ones, they are still easier to store.

      Like 2
  21. Avatar Little Cars Member

    With 1968 Ford underpinnings, I would be able to restore the chassis and mechanicals with what I have saved in my shop. But the non-op glass, fiberglass molded “collision damage” and possibly a very uncomfortable interior with no air would keep me away. I think $20k is reasonable.

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Ward William

    I would resto it to road usable, get rid of the fake damage and use it for weddings and events. Real or not, it would fool most people for a while of it was done right, and it would make money as well as being a head turner. I know it’s a replica but I don’t hate all replicas and one this rare has some value to someone.

    Like 1
  23. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    I agree. I like replica cars as well. I don’t mind movie props if it can be repaired and used after the filming is over.

    Like 1
  24. Avatar Kevin

    Someone got drunk and bought it for $95K

    Like 1

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