A 1948 Tucker automobile, meticulously restored by students at Pennsylvania College of Technology, took top honors at Moda Miami, earning the Best in Class Award in the American Dream Collection at one of the world’s premier automotive events.
In 2024, the rare vehicle, Tucker No. 1013, earned the First Junior Award in its category at the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Eastern Division National Fall Meet in Hershey, PA.
The Tucker was restored over a six-week period last year by a team of about a dozen Penn College students. The restoration was part of a longstanding collaboration with the William E. Swigart Jr. Antique Automobile Museum, whose president, Patricia Swigart, owns the car.
“Our class featured cars from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. The cars were judged on their looks, originality and history,” said Luke Stitt, a collision repair student and president of the Penn College Classic Cruisers Club. “When I saw we won [at Moda Miami], I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t be more honored to have been part of this team of students.”
Moda Miami, held on the grounds of the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL, attracts luxury car enthusiasts, collectors and automotive industry leaders from around the globe.
Students at Moda Miami.
The student team undertook meticulous restoration tasks, including replacing era-correct clamps and hoses, correcting body dents and blending paint to match the car’s original silver-like finish.
“I am thrilled that the Tucker restored by our talented students won a Best in Class award at Moda Miami,” said Ali Lorson, assistant dean of transportation technologies at Penn College. “The honor is a testament to the hard work, dedication and skills our students poured into the restoration process.”
Swigart, who has partnered with Penn College for more than a decade, praised the students’ work: “It is always a delight to work with the students from Pennsylvania College of Technology. They are the most thoughtful and courteous group. The work they do on our cars is always first class.”
Manufactured in 1948 by the Tucker Automobile Corp., Tucker No. 1013 is one of only 51 vehicles ever produced by Preston Tucker, whose story was depicted in the 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.” Notably, this particular vehicle appeared in the film.
One of the Penn College restoration students, Ty Tucker -- Preston Tucker’s great-great-grandson -- had the honor of driving the restored car onto the award stage at Moda Miami.
Students also participated in RM Sotheby’s prestigious collector car auction held in conjunction with Moda Miami. The auction house sponsored the students’ travel and accommodations, offering them a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and network with potential employers.
“I deeply appreciate RM Sotheby’s for supporting our students and their education in such a meaningful way,” Lorson said. “Their investment in our students has been invaluable.”
For many students, the experience was career-defining. “I would have never thought that I would be part of such an event or part of a group presenting a vehicle on the show floor,” said Stitt. “It’s an experience that I will never forget.”
