Depot Town in Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ypsilanti
and the Tucker Phenomenon
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
1. Ypsilanti and the Tucker Phenomenon Marker
It was America's "first completely new car in fifty years"
and the vision in 1945 of Preston Tucker, who lived at 110 North Park Street in Ypsilanti. He was the general manager of his family's Ypsilanti Machine & Tool Company at 103 North Grove Street before founding Tucker Corporation. The Tucker '48, his famous creation, had an engine and transmission developed in Ypsilanti.
It was introduced in Chicago with great fanfare and public interest.
Built in Chicago, the car also had many safety innovations — including its trademark center headlight that turned with the steering wheel to light the way around corners.
"The car of tomorrow, here today!" - Tucker Corporation Advertising
You Auto Know
Due to financial and legal problems, only 51 Tuckers were produced.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 42° 14.738′ N, 83° 36.484′ W. Marker is in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Depot Town. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hudsons & Friends (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barracks / Ypsilanti in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Days in Depot Town (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ypsilanti Woolen Mill Company (about 500 feet away); The Thompson Building (about 500 feet away); Michigan Central Railroad Depot (about 500 feet away); Michigan Central Railroad Gardens (about 500 feet away); The Real McCoy (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ypsilanti.
Also see . . .
1. Tucker 48. Wikipedia article about the Tucker '48. (Submitted on October 6, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Preston Tucker. Wikipedia article about Preston Tucker. (Submitted on October 6, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Tucker History. Web page of the Tucker Automobile Club of America. (Submitted on October 6, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
2. Upper left image
Preston Tucker and the rear-engine Tucker '48 prototype, "The Tin Goose." Photo courtesy of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
3. Lower left image
Large crowds typically surrounded the 1948 Tucker when it was shown in cities around the country. Photo courtesy of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
4. Middle image
Preston's dream car. Photo courtesy of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
To learn more about Preston Tucker and the Tucker '48, please visit www.TuckerClub.org.
To learn more about Preston Tucker and the Tucker '48, please visit www.TuckerClub.org.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
5. Right image
Tucker employees work on the first of fifty pilot production Tucker '48 automobiles at the Chicago plant. Tucker's Chicago facility was, in its day, the largest factory in the world. Photo courtesy of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 6, 2017
6. Ypsilanti and the Tucker Phenomenon Marker and Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,301 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 6, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
