Tucker
Founded by Preston Tucker in 1944, the company introduced the Tucker 48, also known as the “Tucker Torpedo,” in 1948. This groundbreaking car was ahead of its time, featuring revolutionary safety and design elements such as a rear-mounted engine, a perimeter frame, a padded dashboard, and a shatterproof windshield. Perhaps most notably, it included a central headlight that swiveled with the steering to improve visibility around corners. Despite its advanced features and strong initial interest, the Tucker Corporation faced immense legal and financial challenges, leading to its closure after producing only 51 units. The story of Tucker cars remains a symbol of innovation and ambition in the automotive industry, and the surviving Tucker 48s are highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts for their historical significance and rarity.