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The Indomitable Tin Goose: The True Story of Preston Tucker and His Car
Was he a con main extraordinarie or a tragic victim of fate? Twelve years ago, the name of Preston Tucker flashed briefly across the world's headlines when he was indicted by a Chicago grand jury. At the time, an auto-minded American public followed his trial with interest -- for Tucker had promised to build a fabulous "car of tomorrow" wth an engine in the rea and other revolutionary features to sell at a price well below that of standard low-priced cars. This is a fascinating, thought-provoking biography of Preston Tucker and his car.
285 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 30, 2023
Legends and myths have grown exponentially around the Tucker automobile much like those after the unexpected death of a promising young actor. The dreams of lost potential lends much to the story of what could have been.
Preston Tucker was initially a cop during the rough and tumble Prohibition era. From there he sponsored Indy race cars, tinkering with inventions and their production. After developing an Armored Car for the Army, which was rejected as being too fast, the Army did contract with him for the car’s Plexiglas turret, perfect for bombers.
Right after WW2, everyone in America that could drive was wanting, aching, for an automobile. The established manufacturers scrambled from war production to cars, using what was ready; dated designs from before the war.
Tucker wanted to develop a better car: new, innovative, safer, faster with better gas mileage, and of course better looking, he did not hesitate to dream big. In a time of great demand when customers would buy anything, he wanted to provide more. A marketing phenomena occurred when Tucker’s dreams made the news. The public became enchanted. Tucker’s company received hundreds of thousands of requests for a new car, and a prototype had yet to be created ! Car dealers eagerly signed up, and paid for, franchises.
The government was selling war factories cheaply, if you knew who to know, and production materials were in short supply, it was a time of wheeling and dealing, putting together all that it took to make a product. Money floated from one project to where needed for that moment and then back. Preston Tucker was in his element.
Almost lost in all the Tucker promotions across the country was the development of the vehicle itself, the Tin Goose was the nickname given by the dedicated engineers who were working with new technologies such as rear mounted engine, electric activated transmission, padded dash, to make deadlines, initially the Torpedo name was changed to “48”, the year of development to give it a safer image.
The book itself is a bit of history, published in 1960 only 5 yrs after Preston passed away. So it certainly has the feel of the era of American industry when cars where king. Author Charles Pearson worked for Tucker during this hectic time period dealing with press releases and plans so he certainly has a lot of insight into the goings on. He certainly favors Preston’s side of events, but tries to explain all the angles.
The Tucker auto must have made quite an impression on my father, who would have been about driving age, 17, at the time, as he told me various stories over the years. Pretty amazing as there were only 51 vehicles ever produced.
In the middle of the industrial wrangling and politics of the era, the US government, with the Security Exchange Commission set about to destroy the Tucker Corporation before it could get to mass production. Was the SEC trying to protect stock holders? Were the established car manufacturers urging the government to kill off the competition ?
Before I write a book in the review myself, I’ll add there are great photos, one showing a collector with 10 Tuckers, since this was 1960, his most recent purchase was $6,700. You can buy one today, if available, for maybe $3 million.
It’s a fascinating tale. There are a variety of videos available on-line and I’d also suggest watching the 1988 movie by Francis Coppola with Jeff Bridges. All great insights into the story.
Preston Tucker was initially a cop during the rough and tumble Prohibition era. From there he sponsored Indy race cars, tinkering with inventions and their production. After developing an Armored Car for the Army, which was rejected as being too fast, the Army did contract with him for the car’s Plexiglas turret, perfect for bombers.
Right after WW2, everyone in America that could drive was wanting, aching, for an automobile. The established manufacturers scrambled from war production to cars, using what was ready; dated designs from before the war.
Tucker wanted to develop a better car: new, innovative, safer, faster with better gas mileage, and of course better looking, he did not hesitate to dream big. In a time of great demand when customers would buy anything, he wanted to provide more. A marketing phenomena occurred when Tucker’s dreams made the news. The public became enchanted. Tucker’s company received hundreds of thousands of requests for a new car, and a prototype had yet to be created ! Car dealers eagerly signed up, and paid for, franchises.
The government was selling war factories cheaply, if you knew who to know, and production materials were in short supply, it was a time of wheeling and dealing, putting together all that it took to make a product. Money floated from one project to where needed for that moment and then back. Preston Tucker was in his element.
Almost lost in all the Tucker promotions across the country was the development of the vehicle itself, the Tin Goose was the nickname given by the dedicated engineers who were working with new technologies such as rear mounted engine, electric activated transmission, padded dash, to make deadlines, initially the Torpedo name was changed to “48”, the year of development to give it a safer image.
The book itself is a bit of history, published in 1960 only 5 yrs after Preston passed away. So it certainly has the feel of the era of American industry when cars where king. Author Charles Pearson worked for Tucker during this hectic time period dealing with press releases and plans so he certainly has a lot of insight into the goings on. He certainly favors Preston’s side of events, but tries to explain all the angles.
The Tucker auto must have made quite an impression on my father, who would have been about driving age, 17, at the time, as he told me various stories over the years. Pretty amazing as there were only 51 vehicles ever produced.
In the middle of the industrial wrangling and politics of the era, the US government, with the Security Exchange Commission set about to destroy the Tucker Corporation before it could get to mass production. Was the SEC trying to protect stock holders? Were the established car manufacturers urging the government to kill off the competition ?
Before I write a book in the review myself, I’ll add there are great photos, one showing a collector with 10 Tuckers, since this was 1960, his most recent purchase was $6,700. You can buy one today, if available, for maybe $3 million.
It’s a fascinating tale. There are a variety of videos available on-line and I’d also suggest watching the 1988 movie by Francis Coppola with Jeff Bridges. All great insights into the story.
October 15, 2013
This book was written around 1968 by a protege/employee/friend of Preston Tucker's, Charles Pearson.
The writing is crisp and Pearson manages to give enough detail without bogging the reader down in extraneous and exhausting factoids. Having only a cursory knowledge of Tucker and his Tucker 48 automobile, I picked up this book hoping to learn more about this American entrepreneur. And I did get an historical accounting of his life. For those readers who tenaciously hold on to the notion that any government--including our own--is only interested in 'fair play' and would never take steps to crush ingenuity and competition, you should either be prepared for a paradigm change or a waste of your time. This book carefully documents the U.S. government's role in Tucker's personal and professional demise. Make no mistake, I am a firm supporter of the USA. But having learned the facts of Tucker's ordeal, I feel safe in stating that the concerted efforts to ruin him are second only to the orchestrated pogroms against the American Indians by the US government. Read this book for the wider tale being told.
The writing is crisp and Pearson manages to give enough detail without bogging the reader down in extraneous and exhausting factoids. Having only a cursory knowledge of Tucker and his Tucker 48 automobile, I picked up this book hoping to learn more about this American entrepreneur. And I did get an historical accounting of his life. For those readers who tenaciously hold on to the notion that any government--including our own--is only interested in 'fair play' and would never take steps to crush ingenuity and competition, you should either be prepared for a paradigm change or a waste of your time. This book carefully documents the U.S. government's role in Tucker's personal and professional demise. Make no mistake, I am a firm supporter of the USA. But having learned the facts of Tucker's ordeal, I feel safe in stating that the concerted efforts to ruin him are second only to the orchestrated pogroms against the American Indians by the US government. Read this book for the wider tale being told.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews