Forgotten American car that had a helicopter engine which got killed off by Detroit's Big Three
Published on Sep 06, 2025 at 9:43 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Sep 04, 2025 at 7:44 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The forgotten American car that had a helicopter engine under the hood was sadly killed off by Detroit’s Big Three.
America has produced some fine automobiles over the years, such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Ford Model T.
One car, though, could have stood out among the crowd, thanks to Preston Tucker, who came out with a car originally called the Tucker Torpedo.
It was a radical and highly advanced machine, showing just how complacent Detroit’s Big Three, which were General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, had become.
The car became known as the Tucker 48; however, the Big Three worked hard to ensure it couldn’t rival them.
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The origins of the forgotten American car
Preston Tucker was an automotive entrepreneur, and he liked to tinker and innovate.
He came up with a car that had a rear-engine layout, a pop-out safety windshield, a padded dash, and even more.
The car also had a perimeter frame with an integrated roll bar and a very unusual swiveling ‘cyclops eye’ headlight.
That headlight turned with the steering of the car, which is possibly something that cars should have today.
At the time, the American public was craving something new and radical, and the Tucker 48 fit the bill.
Under the hood was a remarkable engine, taken straight from a Bell 47 helicopter.
The Tucker 48 had the heart of a helicopter
That helicopter engine was a Franklin O-335, built by Air Cooled Motors.
Converted to water-cooled for the car, it was a 5.5-liter engine that made 166hp and 372lb-ft of torque.
A lot of work went into converting the helicopter engine, such as removing the fuel injection system for a new carburetor.
Yet the story took a remarkable twist as Detroit wasn’t happy with Tucker’s innovation.
They caused the FBI to raid the company’s Chicago plant, and the SEC put Tucker through legal hell.
Yet despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, the damage was done, and only 51 cars were ever made.
With the rarity of the cars and how few were produced, Classic.com says the average auction price for one is $1.5 million.
The highest one has ever sold for is an incredible $1.7 million.
While Detroit may have killed Tucker’s vision, his legacy will live on with the amazing Tucker 48.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
