Six Working Tailpipes.(Escape Roads)(Preston Tucker is developing a technically innovative sedan with the help of leading car designers)

Byline: BROOKS BRIERLEY

Preston Tucker had great ambitions for his new automobile. A stock sale in mid-1947 raised nearly $20 million; 2000 dealer franchises brought in another $8 million. A vast aviation engine plant in Chicago-by some measures, the largest factory in the world-was leased from the government. Plans were to build 1000 cars a day.

There were four contributors to the Tucker's exterior design. Former GM stylist George Lawson did the initial drawing in 1946. Then Alex Tremulis created the final shape. Industrial design firm Lippincott & Margulies detailed Tremulis' work-such as the stunning driver's instrument console and the egg-crate pattern surrounding the six tailpipes (each emitting exhaust). To prepare for mass production, former coachbuilder Ray Dietrich consulted on cost-effective design details.

Tucker wanted his car to be innovative technically, too. Production and supply issues would compromise his approach, yet the end result was advanced for the time. Originally, Tucker specified a large, slow-turning engine-a taste that must have been acquired from his days selling Pierce-Arrows-but his engineers failed to create it. Tucker found the size and power-to-weight solution in the Franklin helicopter six-cylinder engine, which was modified to water-cooling and set in the back of the car. Similarly, problems making a new automatic transmission led to using a manual unit from the prewar Cord 810.

The Tucker's idiosyncrasies create a unique driving experience, very advanced for its time. This sedan is the 47th built; there are only 43 miles on the odometer. It is painted Waltz Blue, a color taken from a favorite dress of Mrs. Tucker. Inside is extraordinary space, plus two wide bench seats. Where one expects to see a dashboard, there is open space-the only instruments are clustered, dramatically, in front of the driver. The 166-hp engine has a slight roar, which also announces the car has the torque to start in second gear. The clutch is very high-in contrast to the tiny, one-inch-long gearshift lever by the ...