Tucker Torpedo Makes First Public Appearance at AACA Museum Inc

October 4- 10, 2017 (My picture here was from 2 years ago, a lot more progress has been made since 2015.)

Hershey, PA (August 30, 2017 As part of this year’s Night at the Museum Gala presented by PNC at the AACA Museum, Inc., we’re excited to announce the first public appearance of the Tucker Torpedo! We will showcase the Torpedo the first  public appearance as a work in progress allowing people to see the workmanship and its inner-workings.

Before there was a Tucker ’48, Preston Tucker engaged a series of design projects that produced a never-built concept vehicle called the Tucker Torpedo. While elements of the Torpedo found their way into the design of the production Tucker, the concept car is a very different automobile and was never produced in a full- scale prototype . . . until now. This car, built by Rob Ida Concepts brings the Torpedo design concept to life. This is the first ever full-scale representation of Preston Tucker’s 1946 Concept Car “The Tucker Torpedo” as designed by “chief stylist” George Lawson. The AACA Museum, Inc. with a permanent display of three Tucker ’48 automobiles, including Tucker #1001, is quickly becoming known as the center of the Tucker Universe and we’re honored to have been chosen as the location to showcase this legendary vehicle for its first public viewing.

Rob Ida’s family interest in Tuckers goes back to his grandfather, who owned one of the ill-fated Tucker dealerships that never had the opportunity to sell this car of the future. Rob’s family-based business has built “Tuckers” for different purposes, including Hollywood (the Sin City 2 movie car was previously displayed at the Museum).

As you can see from the concept drawings, the Tucker Torpedo includes a centrally positioned steering wheel, doors that wrap up into the roof, and front fenders that turn when the car is cornering. These are just a few of the distinguishing features you’ll be able to see when the Torpedo is on view. The Tucker Torpedo, which is a privately commissioned work, promises to create quite a stir Wednesday, October 4th as part of Night at The Museum. It will remain on display in the Cammack Tucker Gallery through Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 as visitors from around the world gather in Hershey, PA for the annual Fall Meet Week.

Bob Kerekes is the car’s owner as well as the owner of the “Lower 48” Tucker Custom that was on display at the AACA Museum Inc last year and the owner of the hand-built Tucker recreation from 2005. “My Tucker vehicles have brought me more joy than any other cars in my life,” stated Kerekes. He is an avid car collector with a collection of world-class automobiles ranging from vintage Ferraris, Porsches, Mercedes, Race Cars, Bugatti, Hot Rods and hand made cars. Bob Kerekes, along with the Ida family and the Tucker family have all put in a tremendous amount of time, thought, energy and dedicated effort to bring the Tucker Torpedo to life in its historic form. A shared passion and emotional attachment to all things Tucker led the owner and builder to hold the first public showing of the Torpedo right here at the AACA Museum Inc.

Tucker fans will also soon be able to check a new permanent addition to our Cammack Tucker Exhibit – An interactive Tucker ’48 that showcases the functionality of the cyclops headlight. This one of a kind piece was also custom created by Rob Ida Concepts, built with grant funds from the Dauphin County Commissioners that was matched by the William J. Cammack Private Foundation. Visitors will soon be able to explore and enjoy these new exhibit features as we continue to develop this permanent exhibit area with the World’s largest collection of Tucker automobiles and related artifacts.

Our annual Night at The Museum Gala & Live Auction presented by PNC, where the Torpedo will be on view for the first time, benefits both kids and cars this year. We’re partnered with Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. We’ll also be honoring racing icon Bobby Rahal with our first ever Automotive Heritage Award as part of this elegant evening. We’re offering a special VIP reception along with our regular event this year and full details are available at NightAtTheMuseum.org or by calling us at 717-566-7100 ext. 101. Advance tickets are required. Please consider joining us!

Other AACA Museum Inc. featured exhibits include:
• “Garage Find: Unrestored Treasures that survived time” exploring the value of preservation vs. restoration of vehicles
• “Camaro & Firebird 50th Anniversary” exhibit paying tribute to five decades of General Motors pony cars
• “Dream Machines,” an art exhibition by artist Lory Lockwood
• “The Most Toured & Most Awarded Cars of the AACA”
• The new Clyne Entry Gallery will feature vehicles from the National Corvette Restorers Society.

Visit AACAMuseum.org for details on AACA Museum special fall meet week hours and special events like “Caffeine Behind the Scenes” your chance to go behind the scenes into our secret storage garage sponsored by National Parts Depot.

About the AACA Museum, Inc.
The AACA Museum Inc., a Smithsonian Affiliate, displays beautifully restored automobiles, buses, and motorcycles in unique life-like scenes representing the 1890s – 1980s in a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. This Museum, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is known to be one of the largest automotive museums. Special exhibits change several times a year and focus on a variety of eras and types of vehicles. The AACA Museum Inc. is home to the Cammack Tucker Collection; the World’s largest and most prestigious permanent collection of Tucker Automobiles and related artifacts. The Museum is in South Hanover Township, located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Regular admission $12, seniors age 61 and older $11, juniors age 4-12 $9, children age 3 and under, AACA Museum, Inc. Members and AACA Members are FREE. The Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with extended operating hours on October 5 & 6 until 9:00 PM. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit www.AACAMuseum.org.