BLENHEIM, ON.- As anticipation builds for RM’s annual Amelia Island sale, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is delighted to announce the consignment of a legendary 1948 Tucker to its March 9 event. Widely regarded as one of the most advanced, early, post-war automobiles ever built, the rare and highly sought-after Tucker joins a magnificent roster of more than 80 blue-chip automobiles hand-selected for the RM sale, including no less than eight examples with pre-sale estimates exceeding $1,000,000.

Delivered new on August 11, 1948, the Tucker 48 on offer, serial number 1003, was the third of just 51 examples built and the first to feature the valance panel between the body and front bumper. Its rarity is further elevated by its desirable color; of the six factory colors available, 1003 is one of only 12 originally painted Maroon. Well-documented from new, it boasts a superb provenance and ownership history, having passed through the hands of numerous respected collectors, including the late Bill Pettit. In the late-1980s, it was purchased by none other than prominent filmmaker George Lucas, the visionary imagination behind Star Wars and other box office hits. Lucas took a special interest in Tuckers and was executive producer of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1988 film Tucker: The Man and His Dream. The film revived modern interest in the Tucker and has become something of a cult classic among automobile enthusiasts. Since coming into the care of its current owners, 1003 has been extensively and authentically restored by marque experts, with special attention paid to its drivability and reliability. It is estimated to fetch between $1,500,000 and $1,900,000 when it crosses RM’s Amelia Island auction podium next month.

“The Tucker Torpedo, as it was often called, was a paragon of advanced engineering and safety features with radical, futuristic styling. Arguably, the most important post-war American collectible automobile, Tuckers consistently attract strong interest whenever they come to market,” says Don Rose, Car Specialist, RM Auctions. “The example on offer at our Amelia Island sale, 1003, is truly among the best of the best—not only is it a beautiful automobile in terms of its presentation, but it is fully and robustly functional, ready to take to the road. It’s a perfect fit for our Amelia Island auction, which, along with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, is dedicated to celebrating great and iconic automotive styling.”

The Tucker will be joined center stage at RM’s Amelia Island sale by an exceptional roster of other important and historic automobiles, including:

o a 1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Vignale Berlinetta ‘Tuboscocca’, chassis 0168ED, one of only six 225S competition berlinettas built and boasting a superb racing history (Estimate: $1,000,000–$1,400,000);

o a beautifully restored 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, chassis 198.042-8500286, finished in the highly desirable color combination of metallic silver-blue with a tan leather interior and featuring Rudge knock-off wheels, fitted luggage, and a factory hardtop (Estimate: $800,000–$1,000,000);

o a freshly restored 1929 Isotta Fraschini 8A Convertible Sedan, chassis 1571, displayed at the 1928 New York Auto Salon and is the only Floyd-Derham body on an Isotta Fraschini chassis (Estimate: $550,000–$650,000); and,

o an outstanding 1911 Lozier Model 51 Seven-Passenger Touring, chassis 3574, one of the mightiest Brass Era touring cars and offered from the respected collection of Ken Pearson (Estimate: $400,000–$600,000).