A Legendary Piece of Automotive History

Few vehicles in automotive history possess the legendary status of the Tucker 48. With only 51 units ever manufactured and roughly 47 known to exist today, these cars are highly sought-after treasures, typically found within permanent museum exhibits or elite private collections. This August, RM Sotheby's will offer a particularly special specimen—chassis number 1019—at its Monterey sale, with an estimated value between $1,000,000 and $1,300,000.


From Political Campaigning to Silver Screen Fame

The history of this specific Tucker is as colorful as its past paint jobs. Delivered in 1947 in Viola Grey to a dealership in Seattle, the vehicle was purchased in 1952 by William Bryan. Bryan famously utilized the car as a mobile advertisement during a failed congressional campaign, during which he repainted the vehicle in a deep blue to accommodate his political branding.

The car’s journey took a significant turn in 1959 when Pasadena contractor Melvin Hull discovered it at a repair facility. Recognizing its value, Hull waited eight hours for the owner to return, ultimately securing the vehicle for $1,250 and covering the seller's airfare.

For the next 53 years, the car remained within the Hull family, serving as a reliable driver for local events and family excursions. Its claim to fame arrived in 1987, when it was selected to join 20 other Tucker examples for Francis Ford Coppola’s biographical film, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, where it was featured in a prominent parade sequence filmed in San Francisco.


Preserving the Original Patina

Following years of enjoyment, Melvin Hull eventually gifted the vehicle to his daughter, Debbie. It spent over a decade on display in a Southern California museum before being acquired by its current owner in 2012.

What makes chassis 1019 truly exceptional is its state of preservation:

  • It has never undergone a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration.
  • The exterior retains the cosmetic refinishes applied by the Hull family decades ago.
  • It still features its original engine and the factory firewall body tag.

As more Tucker 48s are permanently removed from the open market by institutional collections, the opportunity to acquire such an authentic, history-rich vehicle becomes increasingly rare for collectors.