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The three-eyed monster

1948 Tucker. A highly innovative design from a start-up that lasted only a year, due to being wiped out by court costs in (successfully) defending against a Securities & Exchange Commission complaint. The middle headlight was hooked to the steering mechanism such that it followed the road when the wheels were turned. Seems like a good idea, altho AFAIK no one else ever implemented it. I wonder if three "eyes" just made the front of the car look too alien! The inset is a view of the car from the side with the interpretive sign. National Automobile Museum (Harrah Collection), Reno, Nevada.
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12 comments

Rrrolf said:

An interesting car I would like to drive ... :)
7 years ago

slgwv replied to Rrrolf:

I wonder how much difference the turning headlight makes!
7 years ago ( translate )

William Sutherland said:

Outstanding shot and PIP!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
7 years ago

slgwv replied to William Sutherland:

Thanks!
7 years ago

Rrrolf replied to slgwv:

This could be the answer:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#/Advanced_front-lighting_system_(AFS)

Maybe its just a gimmick ? ;-)
7 years ago

slgwv replied to Rrrolf:

Thanks for that link! It would be interesting to actually _drive_ it and see--
7 years ago

Ruebenkraut said:

what a great automobile!
7 years ago

slgwv replied to Ruebenkraut:

;)
7 years ago ( translate )

Stevia said:

LOL - A car with three lights in front. It looks funny! A fascinating sight! The car looks to me like a piece of jewelry, especially in this color and with this shine. Very nicely recorded!
As far as I know, the designer, Preston Tucker, was also the first automaker to call for seat belts in passenger cars and built them into this Tucker '48. I remember a movie about this that I saw many years ago. This detail remained in my memory.
7 years ago

slgwv replied to Stevia:

Interesting! The interpretive sign said a movie'd been made about Tucker, but I hadn't seen it.
7 years ago

Rrrolf replied to slgwv:

"Tucker: The Man and His Dream" (1988) - a remarkable movie with Jeff Bridges by Francis Ford (!) Coppola. :))

"When they tried to buy him, he refused. When they tried to bully him, he resisted. When they tried to break him, he became an American legend. The true story of Preston Tucker."
7 years ago

slgwv replied to Rrrolf:

Too bad his company folded!
7 years ago