1948 Tucker 48 SN 1021 “The Car of Tomorrow”

This car (21 of only 51 ever built) was originally sold from the Tucker Corporation on February 16, 1949 to one of Tucker’s Californian dealers, Charles DeCosta, who loved the Tucker automobile and kept this car until May 1967, when he sold it to another California-based Tucker enthusiast, Gene Clarke, an active member of the Tucker Automobile Club of America. He maintained the car and kept it roadworthy until 2021 when failing health intervened; in 2023, following Mr. Clarke’s passing, No. 1021 was purchased by Mark Lieberman, senior director of the Tucker Automobile Club and noted Tucker historian.

An extremely original example, No. 1021 is presented largely in “as found” condition and wears its original color scheme of black paint and beige interior. The car had been repainted only once in preparation for its role in the movie, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” starring Jeff Bridges in the title role. It retains original body paint in its door jambs, luggage compartment and engine bay. The original carpeting remains inside the luggage compartment as well. The interior was reupholstered just prior to the movie’s production, although the robe rail, grab straps and sun visors remain original and quite exceptional.

The Tucker’s engine bay remains largely original with minor deviations added for convenience by Mr. Clarke, including a fuel sight bowl and filter in front of the carburetor, machined valve cover fasteners and a ventilation breather tube. Original vented wheel covers with enameled medallions are at all four wheels. The original radio antenna with red plastic ball remains on the driver’s side fender and is paired to the original early-style Tucker radio by Motorola. Other highlights include an optional under-seat-heater and ashtrays in the doors. The suspension was converted in the late 1960s to coil springs, as there were no replacements available for the Tucker’s OEM Torsilastic rubber system. However, today such parts are now available to convert the car back to the original Torsilastic suspension if desired. A new water pump is in place, the ignition distributor was rebuilt, and recent maintenance work includes a fluid service and installation of a new battery.