New in original sealed packaging Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt Tucker Torpedo.  Hot wheels actually got it slightly wrong, this is a Tucker 48, not a Tucker Torpedo!  The car is a 1:64 scale "hot rod" rendition of the Tucker car.  

The Tucker '48 was the brainchild of Preston Tucker and introduced features that were far beyond the typical specifications of an automotive built in the late 1940's. The Tucker had a 6 cylinder horizontally opposed engine placed in the rear. This engine produced 166 hp and 372 ft/lbs of torque; good for a 0-60 time of around 10 seconds and a top speed of well over 100 mph. The Tucker was not just about performance - safety features were a major part of the design and included a pop-out safety glass windshield, collapsible steering column, padded dashboard, front crash compartment, and many other features never before seen in an automobile. The centerpiece of the design is the cyclops third headlight that turned with the wheels to assist the driver in seeing around corners. The Tucker also had design ideas with economics in mind. For instance, the front bench seat cushion was the same as the rear seat cushion; the idea being that the front wore out faster so you could just swap them to extend the life of the upholstery. Had Tucker fully succeeded with his car who knows where the automobile would be today. Only 51 original Tuckers were ever produced and their value continues to skyrocket. 

 

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