TUCKER 1018: We find our more about Bradford’s Tucker No. 1018
from Lance Lewis of Emporium who wrote to us after reading our
previous reports on the fate of this vehicle once owned by George
McKinney of Bradford.
Lance writes, “… in the ‘Old Cars Newspaper’ article referred to
you by Mike Wennin of Emporium, it is noted that ‘in 1992, the
engine, radiator, fender vents and underseat heater from the Tucker
#1018 were purchased by a collector.’”
“I was the fortunate individual that purchased that collection
of parts, which also included #1018’s transmission that was adapted
from a front-wheel drive transmission that had to be ‘beefed up’
considerable to stand the tremendous low-end torque of the Tucker
engine.
“The engine was adapted from a Franklin air-cooled helicopter
motor that stood on end to turn the rotor. Tucker water-jacketed
the motor in a 60-day development program and turned the
six-cylinder horizontally opposed motor into a powerhouse that got
the heavy car to 60 mph in 10 seconds flat … (in 1948, most cars
took from 18 to 20 seconds).
“Other notable Tucker facts: The development period for the
entire car was 100 days (Tucker was in a hurry). This made it
imperative that he use as many ‘off the shelf’ components as he
could get. The push button inner door handles were Studebaker. The
steering wheels were Lincoln (they say Lincoln under the center
hub), and the Cord transmissions were from salvage yards.
“The prototype Tucker, the ‘Tin Goose,’ was handcrafted by a
master lead man from pieces cut from Oldsmobiles taken from
wrecking yards.
“I learned about #1018’s motor and other salvaged parts when I
called the late, great Fred Mascioni at his used car lot in
Limestone. A customer of his had the motor and transmission in a
garage across from the Sparkle Car Wash in Bradford.
“After purchasing them and remunerating Fred for his part in the
acquisition, I called ‘Old Cars Newspaper,’ and the editors had me
write an article about the entire proceeding, which they published
in 1992. In the same paper was an extensive article, right next to
mine, about the restoration of Tucker #1001, commissioned by David
Cammack of Alexandria, Va., and performed by Charles Frantz of High
Expectations Auto Restorations in Front Royal, Va.”
More tomorrow.
