TUCKER

I rea lly enjoyed reading your article on the Tucker Torpedo and I got to see one in action during a 2015 v isit to the Academy of Art Universit y, San Francisco, which has a top qualit y display of mainly late 1920s to 30s cars, all in splendid restored condition which included:

Delage 1927, Minerva 1927, Lagonda 1927, Daimler 1928, Deusenberg Js1930s, Cord 1931 / 1937, Packard Coupe 1935, Auburn 1935, Pierce Arrow 1937, Squire 1937, and Lincoln Zephyr 1939.

At the Academy I was able to see and hear a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, being started up and driven out, for short term display, elsewhere.

It’s f lat-si x helicopter engine was cold, but eventually spluttered into life, with t he aid of t he loca l equivalent of ‘Start ya Bastard’. I mentioned this nomenclature to the technician involved – he t hought it hilarious !

A movie is available about the remarkable Preston Tucker.

Brendan O’Donoghue email

ED: Sounds like the Art Academy has a tasty selection of cars to peruse. Thanks for the travel tip Brendan.