by Steve Lehto
SEC characterization of, 128
spending habits, 43–44
stock purchases, 63
trial, 142, 145–63
Tucker, Preston, Jr. (son), 8, 93–95
Tucker, Shirley (daughter), 8
Tucker, Shirley Harvey (father), 6
Tucker, Vera Fuqua (wife), 8, 18–19, 162, 197
Tucker ’48 sedan
auction of, 170–71, 203, 207, 212
clay models, 31, 56–58
cyclops headlights, 34, 58, 61, 88–89, 186
design features, 60–62, 67, 74, 200
design problems, 87–89, 93–94, 98–99
die program, 98, 114, 117, 150
drawings, 53–55, 209, 210
engine designs, 93–95, 150–51, 156
final production numbers, 118, 123
legacy, 200, 202, 203
media announcement, 34–36
production cost, 101, 145
production model, 87–89, 93–96, 97–98
production schedule, 75, 90, 99–100, 114, 118
prototype, 55, 56–57 (see also Tin Goose prototype)
public response, 37, 68, 80, 113, 170
publicity campaign, 60–62, 77–79, 82, 101, 130–31
rear-engine design, 34, 39, 54, 58–60, 65, 95
retail price, 35, 36, 74, 99
reverse gear rumors, 80, 98, 114, 140
safety features, 60–61, 87–88, 122–23
scale models, 31, 36
testing, 1–3, 62, 122, 152
transmission, 87, 95–96, 113–14, 210 (see also automatic transmission; reverse gear rumors)
unveiling, 1–2, 68–71
See also Tucker sedan for individual production vehicles
Tucker Automobile Club of America, 194, 205
Tucker Aviation Corporation, 20, 24
Tucker Corporation
accessories program, 102–4, 120–21
Aircooled Motors purchase, 100–101
annual report, 85–86, 109, 116
auction of assets, 170–71, 177, 203–4
bankruptcy, 124–25, 164–65
credit from suppliers, 80, 111
criminal trial, 142–47, 148–62, 164
financial difficulties, 44–45, 99, 121, 123, 125–26, 200–201
financing options, 38–39, 44–46, 50, 85
grand jury hearing, 134–38
negative press, 120, 132–33, 136–38, 139–41
production capabilities, 75, 90, 99, 114, 118–20, 144–45
proposed takeover, 144–45, 152–53
prospectus, 72–76
reformation of company, 38–40
registration statement, 64, 65, 72, 116
SEC investigation, 3–4, 46, 109–10, 112, 114–16, 126, 128–33, 135
shareholders meeting, 97–98
stock offering, 46, 50, 63–64, 76–77, 81
stock value, 111, 137–38, 165
See also Chicago Dodge plant; Tucker ’48 sedan
Tucker dealerships
fundraising efforts, 44–45, 85
lawsuits, 117, 124, 179–81
popularity, 44–45, 75, 82–83, 85, 92
revised sales agreement, 46–47
Tucker Export Corporation, 75
Tucker family home, 199
Tucker sedan
#1001, 98, 113, 209
#1004, 210–11
#1005, 113
#1007, 212
#1010, 123, 212
#1013, 205
#1014, 192
#1018, 203
#1022, 209
#1023, 203
#1026, 209–10
#1027, 122, 203
#1035, 211
#1036, 206–7
#1037, 192, 194
#1039, 205–6
#1042, 212–13
#1043, 207
#1045, 123, 210
#1046, 123, 208
Tucker Special racer, 65–66
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (film), 192–94
Tucker: The Man and the Car (film), 22, 133
Tucker Tiger Tank, 19
Tucker Topics, 66–67, 82–83, 89–90, 92–93, 100–101, 103–5, 110–11
Tucker Torpedo. See Tucker ’48 sedan
Tucker turret design, 19–20, 21, 22–23
Tuckermatic transmission. See automatic transmission
Turnbull, Joseph, 160–61, 182–84
US Army, 19–20, 22–23
US government, lawsuit against, 167–69, 171–72
Veenkant, Boyd, 179–80
Velie, Lester, 139–41, 169
Walder, Robert, 150–51
War Assets Administration (WAA)
and Chicago Dodge plant, 41–42, 45–46, 47–49, 50, 75, 81
steel plant auctions, 105–7
Washington Merry-Go-Round column, 110–12
Weaver, Wayne, 211
Welch, Lew, 108
Wellenkamp, Paul, 152
White, D. McCall, 7, 90–92, 113, 118
Whiz Kids, 121
Willys-Overland Motor Company, 126, 173
World War II, 2, 16–17, 28
Wright, Don, 212
Wright, Mignonette, 212
Wyatt, Wilson, 47, 49
XP-57 airplane, 20–21
Ypsilanti Machine and Tool
background, 18, 30–31
criminal investigation and charges, 115, 124, 154–55
development at, 93–95
funds from, 42, 45, 46, 63, 73, 76
kit cars, 185–86