InstaGRAM Report: Rob Ida Shares the Tucker 1044 Restoration Backstory
Rob Ida shares his stories about the restoration of Tucker 1044.
When you think of Rob Ida, one thing that comes to mind is: Tucker. During my recent in person interview with Rob, I asked him to share his story about how he and his team secured the commission to restore Howard’s Tucker 1044 and to give us some insight on the restoration process. If you want to learn more about his ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Alco Black Beast, click here to read part one of my interview with Rob.
If you're in New Jersey and have the itch to see a Tucker, schedule a shop tour of Ida Automotive in Morganville, NJ. Rob and his team have long had multiple Tucker-related projects in the shop.During my recent visit, for example, I saw the scratch build of the Carioca Tucker (the Carioca Tucker's wood buck can be seen behind Rob in the cover image) and the restoration of another Tucker. For the cover image for this article, I took a portrait photo of Rob holding the Tucker 1044 restoration book that he had on display in his showroom inside Ida Automotive. Rob Ida's grandfather singed up to be a dealer for the Tucker car company back in 1948 in New York, unfortunately since the Tucker company failed this meant that Rob Ida's grandfather never got to open his Tucker dealership. Rob and his family have always had a vast history involving the Tucker cars. Without further ado, here’s my interview with Rob Ida.
By Gram Spina
GS: You and Howard first connected through Tucker 1044. Can you share some stories from when the two of you first met?
Rob: Sure! Howard found us through internet research before he purchased Tucker 1044. He reached out to ask me who would be the best person or team to gather information and research more about the Tucker cars. I put Howard in contact with Sean and Mike Tucker because they are truly the R&D A-team on this topic. Mike is the guy for research, and Sean is the engineering and hands-on expert. Their knowledge of Tuckers is incredible.
Once Howard purchased Tucker 1044 at auction, he started looking into where he should get the car restored. We were happy he decided to work with our team and the Tucker brothers. The 1044 was our first restoration of a Tucker that had the end goal to be exactly how it left the factory when new. We achieved this with the help of the Tucker brothers, and a great partnership forged with the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA, we had access to an incredible wealth of research and information. The AACA Museum allowed us to review their vast Tucker artifacts collection which includes original Tucker car blueprints and build sheets/ notes detailing all of the part numbers that was originally used for each of the Tuckers when they left the factory. Having access to these archives enabled us to restore the car to the most accurate original factory specifications Tucker ever.
- Photo Caption - Tucker 1044 when Howard purchased it from the 2017 RM Sotheby's auction. Photo credit: Patrick Emzen
GS: What is the process like when restoring a Tucker — and more specifically, Howard’s Tucker?
Rob: Working on Tuckers has become familiar to me and my team. We enjoy doing the research and documentation for the restoration. The research needed to restore any historic vehicle properly is vital for restoration work, especially a Tucker, since they all have quite a history behind them. Howard’s Tucker was our first-ever nut and bolt, from the ground-up restoration we took on here at my shop. We are known for our custom hot rod builds but now thanks to this restoration we are also very well known for work related to the Tucker cars. During Howard’s restoration of his Tucker, if there was a part we could not find, we made it from scratch based on the original blueprints and drawings that we were able to access from the AACA Museum. Doing so gave us the specifications to re-manufacture parts that are near impossible to find. We use old-school metal shaping tools, such as the English wheel or power hammer, to create new parts from scratch; we also used modern technology to scan and identify the original green paint that was found preserved on the inside of the original spare wheel of Howard’s Tucker. There is a great photo of myself and Mike Tucker making a body section for 1044 on the English wheel.
- Photo Caption - Rob Ida and Mike Tucker using the English wheel to form parts of the hood panel for Tucker 1044.
- Photo Caption - Uncovering the original green paint of Tucker 1044 and the process of getting the color scanned and identified to become an identical paint match when the final green color was prepared and sprayed onto Tucker 1044.
Both images here and above are scans from the limited-edition coffee table book that walks through the restoration of Tucker 1044.
GS: Howard acquired a unique set of original luggage designed to fit in the front trunk of the Tucker. How did that acquisition come about and what is the story behind finding the luggage?
Rob: A woman contacted me and told me that her grandfather ordered a Tucker and received his official Tucker luggage, but because the Tucker Corporation went out of business, he never received the actual car. Her grandfather never used the luggage, and the cases were still brand new packed in the original cardboard boxes shipped from the Tucker company. I told her I would purchase the luggage from her, but the only downside was that I didn’t have a Tucker of my own, but I knew of a good home for the luggage. I contacted Howard and told him about my purchase. I even told Howard the price I paid and that I would much rather see the cases with Tucker 1044 than sitting somewhere within my collection of automobilia attracting dust. Howard agreed, and we reunited the luggage with Tucker 1044’s front trunk, which was designed to perfectly carry the Tucker brand of luggage.
- Photo Caption - The luggage in its original packaging when Howard bought the set of luggage from Rob Ida.
GS: Looking back at the restoration of Tucker 1044, what was the most challenging aspect of the entire process?
Rob: The biggest challenge was the timeline to complete the Tucker in time for the 2018 Pebble Beach Concourse. We had just under a year to finish the restoration, and that deadline was so tight it was wild. But the result was worth it all. Tucker 1044 is incredible, and the attention to detail we achieved during the restoration is as accurate as when Howard's Tucker left the factory in 1948.
- Photo Caption - Tucker 1044 receiving its award at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance.
GS: What is unique to Howard’s philosophy about sharing his collection?
Rob: The way that Howard shares the Tucker — and all his cars — is better than any other owner I have ever heard of. Howard makes the cars accessible to everyone. The walls of his garage are windows made of glass, which allows even a casual passerby to peek in and enjoy the collection. He has poster boards that include important and interesting historical information about each of the cars (and particularly the Tucker!) And he does a great job of posting history, research, information, and fun facts on his website. Howard’s collection is truly accessible to anyone with an interest.
- Photo Caption - Howard and his Tucker at the 2023 ToBay Beach car show surrounded by spectators eager to learn more about his Tucker. Mutable spectators at the show told us that they have never seen a Tucker in person, and they were so excited to finally see one in person. In this photo you can see Howard showing a group of spectators the restoration documentation book that covers all of the history of Tucker 1044. In the background you can see Greg talking to another group of spectators the engine of the Tucker.
Photo taken by yours truly - Gram Spina
If you want to learn more about the restoration of Tucker 1044, Howard produced a limited-edition book that includes all the work put into the restoration. Additionally, there's a seemly endless number of articles we have published about Tucker 1044 here on the website. However, the best way to learn about Tucker 1044 is to see it in person and ask either Howard, myself or Greg your curiosities about the Tucker cars!
Coming soon is my interview with Rob Ida about the restoration of the iconic Holman and Moody Falcon Challenger III; stay tuned and thank you again to Rob Ida for spending time with me and sharing stories about working on Howard's collectible cars!
Comments
Loved reading this! Rob Ida and Howard make for quite a restoration team. Great interview, Gram!
I went to Rob Ida’s shop in NJ when he and his team were restoring Howard’s Tucker.
The interview with Rob and the backstory on the restoration was an interesting read.
My wife Kristen and I had the privilege of accompanying Gram on this interview outing to Rob’s restoration facility. It is an amazing place. Ida is an amazing person. It is an honor knowing him and his ongoing generosity and friendship with our Son is treasured.
Great job here Gram. We are so proud of you.
One of my K-12 classmates had an uncle who nearly became a Tucker dealer in Hillsdale, Michigan. His family remembers having the use of a Tucker for a few days. No one seems to remember the color to better figure out which one it was.
As pointed out, collector/historians like Howard with the money and desire to share are a rare treasure. Visited Howard’s emporium in Roslyn. Same applies to Rob Ida and his crew. I would trust them with any project they were willing to take on. Visited their shop in Morganville.