Replica of 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II

We are still talking about the past cars with unique shape and one of them is Tucker Torpedo, which is one of the great what-if stories of automotive history. Preston Tucker hoped to revolutionize the industry with a car unlike any other on the road at the time. However, due to various problems, he only managed to build 51 vehicles before closing the shop.

This replica car was built by Roy Tucker and taken of the 1971 Buick Riviera as the car basic. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L6WSk2)

To get rid of any confusion here, this is not the real production Tucker 48 sedan that now sells for at least a million bucks. It’s a one-off-build after one of the sedan’s early concept sketches proposed by Alex Tremulis in December 1946, called the Tucker Torpedo Prototype II that inspired by an early concept drawing of the Tucker Torpedo by George Lawson.

An early version of the Tucker Torpedo designed by George Lawson, Preston's Chief Designer at the time before he replaced by Alex Tremulis. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35DnxOw)

This replica car was built by Roy Tucker (no relation to the original Preston Tucker) with taken of the 1971 Buick Riviera as the car basic which has been almost completely modified using parts from LaSalle, Pontiac, and many were made specifically to match the original design.

A Tucker Torpedo design proposal by Alex Tremulis. This design was based on George Lawson's design but incorporated some improvements. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SDVeu4)

This replica car tried to reproduce the previous prototype from 1946 which actually featured a strange nose and adopted a trident shape that was at a glance similar to the Studebaker's nose, flanked by a fender that spins independently with the wheel, each also carrying a headlight.

Headlamp on the nose only works for a high beam. In addition to this, you will see a specially made rear end, with elaborate side exhausts, fins, wheel covers, and additional ventilation. Then there is a small hinged part on the roof meant to open to avoid hitting your head when in or out.

A rear three-quarter view of another Alex Tremulis design study. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35DnxOw)

This replica car is not entirely similar to the original design there are still striking differences, such as the position of the car's driver. If the original concept made by Alex Tremulis (from a sketch drawing) shows the position of the driver in the middle, but in this replica, the position of the driver is the same as in a car which is generally located on the left.

Besides the car's replica looks to appear with a more dominant boxy design (perhaps due to built on the basis of the 1970s car), while the original concept with a more rounded shape in accordance with the 1940s design trends and had no middle-fin. Well, this isn't the perfect match, but it's definitely one of the weirdest and coolest vehicles a collector can have.

Rear three-quarter of the replica of 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fqv7k8)

Having completed an exterior tour of the Torpedo, inside you’ll find a full vinyl upholstery, classic three-spoked steering wheel, front seats that swivel sideways for easier access, roof sides that open up for the same reason as well as a built-in radar detection system, which might need an update to work with today’s technology.

The car is fitted with a 455 cubic inch (7.5 liters) Buick V8 gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission, said to work like a charm most of the time. However, the owner says a tune-up would be useful along with a higher capacity alternator. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | VINTAGE NEWS | GMAUTHORITY | KUSTOMRAMA | AUTO YAHOO ]

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