Rare Tucker added to RM Amelia Island auction

The Tucker on offer for the March 9 (which is the official auction for the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance event in Florida) is #1003, the third pilot production car built. The ex-Lucas Tucker is also the first built to feature the added valance panel between the body and front bumper, and is one of only twelve of the rear-engined cars to be painted Maroon.

Lucas purchased the Tucker after his role as Executive Producer on Francis Ford Coppola's 1988 biopic of Preston Tucker (Tucker: The Man and His Dream) piqued his interest in these rare, and now very expensive, cars. Lucas formerly owned two Tuckers, and sold 1003 to a California enthusiast in 2005. Since then, the car has been extensively and authentically restored by marque experts, with special attention paid to its drivability and reliability.

"The Tucker Torpedo, as it was often called, was a paragon of advanced engineering and safety features with radical, futuristic styling. Arguably, the most important post-war American collectible automobile, Tuckers consistently attract strong interest whenever they come to market," says Don Rose, Car Specialist, RM Auctions.

"The example on offer at our Amelia Island sale, 1003, is truly among the best of the best—not only is it a beautiful automobile in terms of its presentation, but it is fully and robustly functional, ready to take to the road. It's a perfect fit for our Amelia Island auction, which, along with the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, is dedicated to celebrating great and iconic automotive styling."

Tucker 1003 is estimated to fetch between US$1,500,000 and US$1,900,000 when it crosses RM's Amelia Island, Florida, auction podium on March 9.

Other vehicles consigned for this auction include rare veterans in the form of a 1911 Lozier (estimate US$400,000 - US$600,000) and 1923 Locomobile (estimate US$175,000 - US$225,000), a one-of-three 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ convertible (estimate US$3.5M - US$5M), 1930 Cord L-29 with bodywork by German coachbuilders Vohl & Ruhrbeck (estimate on request), as well a 1970 Porsche 908/3 (estimate US$1.4M - US$1.7M), 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport 'Superleggera' (estimate US1.5M - US$1.75M), striking 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II cabriolet (estimate US$1.25M - US$1.75M), and 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra (US$800,000 - US$950,000).

For further details, go to www.rmauctions.com

Images: copyright Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of RM Auctions