tucker automobiles

[pomfish]

That is kind of sad too.

Although some see the hand of the big three in the demise of many smaller manufacturers its important to realize you need economies of scale to survive in the mass production buisness.

But think of all the very cool and inovative designs that came along because the smaller manufactures had to be creative.

Someone was talking about the Pacer and othr AMC products....
Think about it for a second.
Those designs and styling were WAY out there on the edge.
Those guys were gambling and letting it all hang out in an effort to get ahead of the big three.
In many respects these companies pushed inovation.
The Hornet, the Pacer the Avanti, the Cord, all were very forward thinking specialty cars designed at a time when you had to stand out to survive.

Now cars all look like metled Jelly beans. In some cases it looks like you could swap a fender from one to another and it would bolt on.

AMC really changed the face of auto mfg. in the 80's. Changes that remain to this day in the form of Cab Forward engineering. AMC first used it in the Pacer and later to more effect in the Eagle Vision which was re-branded the Intrepid after Chrysler bought them out.
The Eagle also had the Automatic that could be shifted manually, Chrysler still uses that to this day.

Everyone thought Chrysler bought AMC to get the Jeep line. Jeep was the crown jewel of that deal but the technology for the Mini Van came from the merger as well.

Take a look at a Pacer, now imagine you pull the back out longer and raise the roof while shortening the hood and you end up with something that looks very similar to the orig Mini Van.

I don't own any AMC's currently and used to cuss them when I had to work on some Ramblers and AMC's that my parents owned over the years when I was a teenager, but I have come to see that they were pushing the envelope and that is always a good thing.
Later,

Keith

 

[minibikedude]

Chrysler already had there minivans out before they ever bought AMC/Jeep

 

[pomfish]

Chrysler already had there minivans out before they ever bought AMC/Jeep

You are correct.
My mistake.

Another AMC ahead of its time was the Eagle 4WD wagon. Now they call them "Crossovers"
Every time I see the Nissan Murano it reminds me of an updated aerodynamic
Eagle Wagon.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[delray]

did you guys every here about the convertible. car was finish right here are town. benchmark classics restored it. i believe they close there doors now,but the car did get finish.
Benchmark Classics Presents the Tucker Convertible!

 

[slyman920]

Yea that was a really cool modification they did a good job

 

[Cuyuna]

I think it was the first car with seat belts? Also had a pop out windshied, very early safety features. The rear motor was unique. The headlights also turned with the road, i believe some cars do this today. Very interesting man!