A 1948 Tucker, restored by students at Pennsylvania College of Technology, recently earned the prestigious First Junior Award at the Antique Automobile Club of America’s (AACA) Eastern Division National Fall Meet. The award recognizes the Tucker as the best in its class for limited production and prototype vehicles judged for the first time.
The project, led by students from the college’s automotive restoration program, involved significant cosmetic and engine repairs, with a focus on restoring the car’s authenticity.
The restored 1948 Tucker.
“We had to do bodywork on both of the quarter panels, and lots of hoses and hose clamps were put onto the engine,” said Roy Klinger, co-department head of collision repair at Penn College. The students also repainted several parts to match the original color scheme.
The vehicle, Tucker No. 1013, is one of only 51 ever produced by the Tucker Automobile Corp. in 1948. Known as the “Car of Tomorrow,” the Tucker boasted innovative features such as a rear-mounted engine, a cyclops headlight that turned with the wheels, and advanced safety features like a padded dashboard. Despite its groundbreaking design, the company went bankrupt in 1949, shortly after production began.
The students worked on the Tucker for about six weeks, making it ready for the AACA competition. Among the team members was Ty Tucker, the great-great-grandson of Preston Tucker, the car’s original designer.
Luke Stitt, a collision repair student who helped work on the vehicle and president of the Penn College Classic Cruisers club, called working on the Tucker a “priceless experience.”
“Words truly can’t describe how grateful and proud we all are to have been able to accept such a prestigious award,” Stitt said. “We have all gotten to know this vehicle inside and out with the number of hours we put into it preparing for the event. We got to see how certain aspects of Preston Tucker’s design, along with his safety features, are incorporated into modern-day vehicles. This was an experience we all will never forget.”
The Tucker is owned by the William E. Swigart Jr. Antique Automobile Museum, which has a long-standing partnership with Penn College, offering students access to its extensive collection of vintage cars. “I’m over the moon with the work that they do,” said Patricia Swigart, president of the museum. “You can see their enthusiasm.”
The AACA Eastern Division National Fall Meet is one of the country’s largest antique automobile shows, attracting participants and spectators from across the nation. Penn College students have been involved in the event for two consecutive years, assisting with the auction and other activities.
Ali Lorson, assistant dean of transportation technologies at Penn College, praised the students' dedication and skill. “This success not only recognizes their hard work but also highlights the invaluable experiences provided by the Swigart Museum,” she said.
