Flossi & Buck: In the Motor City

The Tucker 48, also known as the Tucker Torpedo, was an innovative automobile developed by Preston Tucker in 1948. The car was intended to be a revolutionary vehicle that would challenge the dominance of the "Big Three" automakers—Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. Despite its potential, only 50 Tucker 48s were produced before the company was forced to shut down.

The Tucker 48 featured a central headlight that swiveled with the steering wheel, providing better illumination when turning. This "Cyclops Eye" was an innovative safety feature aimed at improving nighttime driving visibility.The windshield was designed to pop out in the event of a collision, reducing the likelihood of injury from shattered glass.

The dashboard was padded to reduce injuries during accidents, a feature ahead of its time.

The Tucker 48 was powered by a rear-mounted, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine originally developed for aircraft. This engine produced around 166 horsepower, which was impressive for its time.

The car featured a torque converter transmission that eliminated the need for a traditional clutch, making driving smoother and more comfortable.