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Tucker 48 75th Anniversary Celebration

Name: Tucker 48 75th Anniversary Celebration
Start: 2023-06-16T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2023-06-18T23:59:59-04:00
Location: AACA Museum

Jun 16, 2023 – Jun 18, 2023

The legacy of maverick car designer Preston Tucker and his “Car of Tomorrow” lives on. And we’re celebrating a monumental milestone in Tucker’s intriguing history: 2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of the famous “Tucker Model 48,” one of the most iconic automobiles of the 20th Century. Only 50 cars rolled off the assembly line in 1948; today, the car is widely known as the Tucker ’48.

Join the Celebration!

Everyone is invited to the weekend-long celebration as we welcome Tucker family members, Tucker owners, and relatives of those who played significant roles in developing the Tucker 48. It also brings together Tucker enthusiasts, motoring experts, and historians as we celebrate all things Tucker.

Get Your Tucker 48 Anniversary Pass and Gala Ticket

Reserve your place, and be part of Tucker history. The Tucker ’48 75th Anniversary Pass includes:

Ticket to the “Toast to Tucker Gala” at the museum on Friday, June 16th, at 6 PM
Museum and exhibit admission Friday, June 16th- Sunday, June 18th
All on-site activities and Tucker Talks

Anniversary Pass/Gala Ticket: $150. Registration is closed.

A “Toast to Tucker” Gala, June 16th, 6 pm

With an atmosphere celebrating the era, “A Toast to Tucker” is our evening gala showcasing ten significant Tucker vehicles on display courtesy of private owners and museums. During the evening, guests will enjoy live period music from Generations Big Band along with …

An exquisite seated dinner prepared by C&J Catering.
Launch of the Tucker Hall of Honor and the inaugural class induction.
Live and silent auctions featuring exclusive Tucker memorabilia and authentic items
A look at the new David S Cammack Archival Research Center.

Attire is business casual for the evening.

Special Guests

Among our special guests for the celebration is Ken Gross. Ken is a 32-year Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Chief Class Judge, serving on the selection committee. He was instrumental in accepting the Tucker 48 Class at Pebble Beach in 2018. Formerly the Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, his 14 critically acclaimed auto exhibitions have appeared at major fine art museums nationwide. The author of twenty-five books, Ken has received numerous automotive awards and accolades.

Dining preferences

When you order Celebration Passes/Gala Tickets, you will receive a confirmation email and a link to complete your dining preferences form. Please let us know if you have any food allergies. Also, if you have a seating preference, we will do our best to accommodate your request.

On-site events, June 17th, 9 am – 3 pm

Tucker Talks

A slate of exclusive “Tucker Talks”

10:30 AM: “Preston Tucker’s Legal Battles – In Three Different Courts”
Presented by attorney and author Steve Lehto
Many people know that Preston Tucker’s dream ended in a criminal courtroom in Chicago. Even though the jury vindicated him, his company was dismantled by the bankruptcy court. After those two legal struggles, Tucker attempted to clear his name in his life’s third major legal battle. Attorney Steve Lehto, author of Preston Tucker and his Battle to Build the Car of Tomorrow, will take us through the legal process that Preston Tucker faced.

Noon: “Tucker 48 Origins: The Cars of the 75th Anniversary Celebration”
Presented by Mike and Sean Tucker (great-grandsons of Preston Tucker) and Tucker expert Mark Lieberman
Within the volumes of Tucker lore, each Tucker ’48 has its own tale spanning the 75 years since production. Sean Tucker, Mike Tucker, and Mark Lieberman present the unique attributes and detailed history of each Tucker car in attendance. Follow these cars from the factory to the celebration. Details you never knew.

1:30 PM: “The Tucker Story After the Last Car”
Presented by Tucker Historian Larry Clark
The possibility of the Tucker ’48 car was over by the time the last prototype models were “assembled.” Upon the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the lives of many Tucker dealers quickly evolved from disappointment to despair. What happened after the last prototype cars were “assembled” is this session’s focus. Larry Clark talks about what happened, false hopes, and the people involved — including Preston Tucker.

Tucker Parade

At the conclusion of the day’s events, plans are underway to present a Tucker 48 parade on the museum grounds. Vehicle owners and museums who plan to participate in the parade will be announced soon.

Museum and Exhibit Access, June 18th, 9 am – 5 pm

See many Tucker 48s still on display. Some cars may not be available due to car owners’ schedules.

TUCKER 48 CELEBRATION PASS (Includes Gala Ticket)

As a Bonus: Tucker Movie Screening, June 16th, 1:00 pm

As an added bonus, guests can add a special “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” movie screening at the historic Allen Theatre (36 E. Main St. Annville, PA ) to their celebration events. The screening includes live introductory commentary and a closing Q&A by Tucker historian Larry Clark and Preston Tucker’s granddaughter Cynthia Tucker Fordon. Cynthia acted as a production assistant and liaison to the Tucker family during the film’s production.

About the Movie: The 1988 film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, recounts the story of real-life inventor Preston Tucker and his attempt to produce and market the 1948 Tucker sedan, which was met with opposition from the “Big Three” automobile makers and accusations of stock fraud from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for which Tucker was acquitted in 1950. Donation: $20.

TUCKER MOVIE TICKET

Coming from out-of-town?

Hershey, PA, is a busy place all summer long. Our history, events, and attractions make Hershey a family-friendly destination. With this in mind, we want to provide you with options for your stay in the area.

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