Tin Goose (left) and Tucker #1013 at the Swigart Museum. Photo courtesy the Swigart Museum.
Later this year, the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, will open its long-awaited Cammack Tucker Exhibit Gallery. Named in honor of Tucker collector David Cammack, who generously donated three Tucker automobiles and associated memorabilia to the museum, its grand opening is still months away. On April 25, however, brand aficionados will have a chance to immerse themselves in all things Tucker as the AACA Museum presents “An Evening with the Tuckers.”
The evening will include a cocktail reception, formal dinner, live auction and presentations. Automobiles to be displayed include the original “Tin Goose” Tucker prototype, on loan from the Swigart Museum in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and a “New Tucker ’48,” as created by father and son car builders Bob and Rob Ida. The New Tucker ’48, already on display at the museum, was created by Rob Ida in honor of his grandfather, Joe Ida, who (briefly) owned a Tucker dealership in Yonkers, New York, and never stopped believing in Preston Tucker’s vision of the modern automobile.
Preston Tucker looks on as a Tucker 48 is christened. Photo courtesy AACA Museum.
Both Rob and Bob Ida will be on hand to speak on the Tucker’s design features and construction, particularly relevant because the Idas are currently working on a recreation of the Tucker Torpedo concept that, in reality, never progressed beyond a scale model. Joining them will be Steve Tremulis, nephew of designer Alex Tremulis, along with several members of the Tucker family, including Preston Tucker’s grandson John Tucker Jr., and great-grandsons Mike and Sean Tucker (the latter of whom is an automotive engineer and a consultant for the Idas on the Tucker Torpedo project). The group will share personal stories and will host a question-and-answer session following the presentations.
This is a formal event, so proper attire is required (but period dress is preferred) and space is limited. Proceeds raised will go to support the permanent Cammack Tucker Exhibit Gallery, and a portion of the event fee is tax-deductible. For complete details, visit AACAMuseum.org.