. But Tucker took a different tack, designing a safety car with innovative features and modern styling. His specifications called for an air-cooled, flat 6 rear engine, disc brakes, fuel injection, the location of all instruments on the steering wheel, and a padded dashboard.

The mechanical components were innovative. The perimeter frame surrounded the vehicle for crash protection. The steering box was behind the front axle to protect the driver in a front-end accident. But numerous Tucker innovations were dropped.

The car's innovative engine continued on the production path for a while longer, however. It was a flat-6 cylinder with hemispherical combustion chambers, fuel injection and overhead valves operated by oil pressure rather than a camshaft. These features would have been auto industry firsts in 1948, but as engine development proceeded, problems appeared. The large 589 in³ (9.7 L) engine functioned, but the 150 hp (112 kW) motor's valvetrain proved problematic. The engine and Cord transmission were mounted on a separate subframe which could be lowered and removed in minutes with just six bolts removed—Tucker envisioned loaner engines being quickly swapped in for service.

The final car was only 60 in (1524 mm) tall, but was very roomy inside. It featured a directional third headlight, dubbed the "Cyclops Eye", for use in turns. It lit up whenever the car was steered by more than 10 degrees. (here's where you came in Tommy)

Tucker had promised 150 hp (112 kW), and his innovative 589 was not working out, so another engine was sourced. The company first tried the Lycoming aircraft engine but it would not fit in the car's rear engine compartment. A Franklin air-cooled helicopter flat-6 did fit, however, so Tucker purchased four samples for $5,000 each. The company's engineers converted the 5.5 L (335 cid) engine to a water-cooled design, and its 166 hp (124 kW) pleased Tucker. This durable engine was tested at max power for 150 hours, the equivalent of 18,000 miles at full throttle.^[2] Tucker quickly bought the Franklin company to secure the engine source.

Another failed element of the prototypes was the Cord transmission, designed for front-engine/front wheel drive use. It could not handle the power of the Franklin engine, so a new design was needed. The creator of the Buick Dynaflow transmission was called in, designing a special "Tuckermatic" transmission with only 27 parts

Tucker '48 Today

Today, the '48 Sedan has fame far greater than would be expected from its modest production run. Of the 51 cars built (50 production and 1 prototype), 47 still exist, the majority in excellent condition. When the cars appear at auction, they command prices attained by only a few marques. Tucker #1038 sold in August 2008 at RM's Monterey auction for the record-setting price of $1,017,500 (including fees).^[3] Several other cars are prominently featured in automotive museums.

The Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc (TACA) is devoted to preserving the legend of Preston Tucker, the Tucker �?8 automobile and The Tucker Corporation. It holds annual conventions across the country to bring enthusiasts of the Tucker saga together.

What an incredible machine............