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Unique Tucker Torpedo Prototype Replica Up for Sale

Some of you might hopelessly scratch their heads at the sight of this “Torpedo” thingy here, asking why would this strange old Buick be of any good use. Well, first of all it’s unique, secondly it is part of the auto history even if a production model wasn’t made and to top it off, you might secure it with a bid of just over $10,000 at the moment.
Tucker Torpedo Prototype Kit 21 photos
Photo: eBay
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To get rid of any confusions here, this is not the real production Tucker 48 sedan that now sells for at leas a million bucks. It’s a one-off-build after one of the sedan’s early concept sketches proposed by Alex Tremulis in December 1946, called the Tucker Torpedo Prototype II.

At the base of this project is a 1971 Buick Riviera that has been almost completely transformed using parts from a LaSalle, a Pontiac and a lot of custom made ones to fit the original design. It’s not a perfectly matching piece, but it sure is one of the oddest and coolest vehicle a collector can have.

The first thing you notice, is the a-la-Studebaker nose, flanked by fenders that turn independently with the wheels, each also carrying a headlamp. The headlamp on the nose works for high-beam only. Other than these, you’ll see a custom made rear end, with intricate side exhaust, fins, wheel covers and extra vents.

Having completed an exterior tour of the Torpedo, inside you’ll find a full vinyl upholstery, classic three-spoked steering wheel, front seats that swivel sideways for easier access, roof sides that open up for the same reason as well as a built-in radar detection system, which might need an update to work with today’s technology.

The car is fitted with a 455 Buick V8 gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission, said to work like a charm most of the times. However, the owner says a tune-up would be useful along with a higher capacity alternator.
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