Questions answered by our in-house experts about the 1948 Tucker—also known as the Tucker 48.

By Mark Lieberman

At Nostalgic Motoring, we LOVE the 1948 Tucker. It is a true classic that we are fanatical about. We have owned, restored, and sold several, and know the ins and outs of this amazing creation.

How much is a 1948 Tucker worth?

As of December 2023, the average public sale price of a 1948 Tucker ’48 from 2017 through 2023 is $1,929,500. The highest public sale of a Tucker ’48 is $2,915,000 in January of 2012. But the true answer is that the car is worth what it is to the owner. Automotive values are set by the buyer and the seller at the time of the sale, there are many factors that can impact the final sale price. 

How many 1948 tuckers were made?

There were 51 cars produced by the Tucker Corporation. The original prototype, dubbed the Tin Goose, was completed and unveiled to an exuberant crowd of prospective dealers and dignitaries on the 17th of June 1947. The first of 50 Model ‘48s were completed on March 9th 1948.

How many 1948 tuckers still survive?

47 of the original 51 Tuckers survive. 3 of the 4 destroyed cars are fully accounted for and the 4th is partially accounted for.

What engine does the Tucker 48 use?

The Tucker engine is derived from an aluminum flat-6 cylinder Franklin engine, produced by Air Cooler Motors. The engine generates 167 Horsepower and 372 lb-ft torque, which propels the car to a top speed of 130 mph. This is very impressive considering it’s a four-door sedan weighing almost 4200 pounds and measuring nearly 19 feet in length. 
What other car in 1948 is capable of 130 mph? 

How many Tucker cars are roadworthy?

Roughly half of the remaining 47 cars move under their own power, and roughly half of those are road worthy vehicles. 

Many of these cars are on display in museums and rarely, if ever, get started or move under their own power. It’s even rarer to see a Tucker 48 on the road.

While they are capable and enjoyable vehicles to drive, most of these cars have not been properly serviced, maintained, or restored. 
They’re considered treasured pieces of history, instead of automobiles. 


To keep these historic cars functioning, Nostalgic Motoring LTD. has recreated many crucial componants, such as engine heads and suspension parts. 

Nostalgic Motoring truly loves these iconic vehicles. The historical significance of the Tucker 48 means it’s more than just an automobile, but rather a rolling piece of history.

A great deal of work has been done to preserve the Tucker 48, and you can see more of the great work that we have done here.