Nearly 500 classics are set to cross the block at Auctions America’s Fort Lauderdale sale from 1-3 April, but most eyes will be on a very rare Tucker 48.
The car hails from a period of rapid industrialisation and transforming culture and design in the early post-war years and was one of the most advanced automobiles of the period, boasting top-of-the-range mechanicals and stunning Art Deco styling. Just 51 examples were ever built.
This Tucker 48 began life as a test chassis for the firm’s automatic transmission, and was eventually completed by a team of enthusiasts who sourced parts and patterns from an original car from the Gilmore Car Museum. The highly detailed restoration has since starred at a number of concours events including the 2015 Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, where it picked up Best in Class honours. It is now expected to sell for $950-1,250,000.
“The offering of any Tucker at public auction is significant given the marque’s short-lived history and limited production,” said Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America. “The restoration quality of this example is truly second-to-none – there hasn’t been a comparable example offered at auction in some years.”
A number of other post-war US classics are also expected to garner much attention. A professionally restored and multi-award winning 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible finished in Condor Yellow could fetch as much as $200,000. The 200bhp V8 Fireball-engined beauty has a nifty powered roof and is fitted with a Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission.
Slightly later is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, which is finished in Matador Red. The marriage of V8 engine and twin exhausts means it should sound as good as it looks, while its $90-100,000 estimate makes it a more affordable proposition.
Those craving more power will be drawn to a trio of Shelby Mustangs, comprising a 1967 GT500 Fastback, a ’68 GT500 KR Convertible and a 1965 GT350 Fastback, which is fitted with its original engine, wood-rimmed steering wheel and ‘Cyclops eye’ tachometer; the pick of the bunch is estimated at $350-450,000.
