The 1948 Tucker 48, also known as the Tucker Torpedo, was a car produced by the Tucker Corporation in Chicago. The car was designed by Preston Tucker and his team with futuristic features such as a third central headlight that turned with the wheels for improved visibility, a safety glass windshield that popped out during an accident, and a padded dashboard to reduce injuries in a collision. The car was also fitted with a rear-engine design, a 335-cubic inch flat-six engine, and a four-wheel independent suspension.
The production of the Tucker 48 was limited to just 51 units due to financial difficulties and the collapse of the Tucker Corporation. Despite this, the Tucker 48 was regarded as an innovative car ahead of its time, challenging the dominance of established automakers such as General Motors and Ford. Today, the Tucker 48 is considered a rare collector’s item, with some units selling for millions of dollars.
