Vanderbilt Cup Races

In a recent post on Facebook from Rob Ida, Rob has revealed that for the first time, a Tucker is in the hands of both the historically intertwined Tucker and Ida families! A big congrats to Rob Ida, Mike Tucker and Sean Tucker for their new acquisition of Tucker #51!  Here's what Rob has posted on Facebook;

Awesome day for the Tucker and Ida families!.  Approximately 17 years after the death of our great friend Chick DeLorenzo, his family has finally decided to part with his 1948 Tucker. It’s labeled as #51. As like many of the Tuckers that were on the assembly line, this car was never completed at the factory. Thanks to Chick for being the coolest guy in the world and the DeLorenzo family for being incredible. Getting it up and running and driving is on our short list! I’m proud to be one of the next caretakers of this car along with great friends @miketucker48 @seantucker48 @rekcut48

Tucker #51 – Tucked Away

On a slow Saturday morning, I get a call from my good friend @rob_ida , the kind of call you know is about to turn into a story. He simply says:

“We’re uncovering Chick’s Tucker.”

Now, if you know anything about car legends, the name Tucker carries some serious weight. But this wasn’t just any Tucker. This was Tucker #51, owned by Chick DeLorenzo—a man who, according to Rob, was cooler than a ’48 concept car with suicide doors and a third headlight (and honestly, he’s not wrong).

This particular Tucker was one of the cars that never made it off the factory floor fully assembled. Like several others toward the end of production, it came unfinished, an almost-dream.

Chick decided he’d be the one to finish it. And he did. Spent years sourcing original parts, turning the garage into a Tucker time capsule.

Rob, his dad, and grandfather came into the picture later, helping with the paintwork and lending hands where needed. But the vision, the chase, and the passion? That was all Chick.

After Chick passed nearly 17 years ago, his family kept the car sealed tight—covered, unmoved, untouched. Preserved like a mechanical relic of American ambition. Until now.

Rob had grown up orbiting this car. It was personal. Historic. Untouchable.

And we weren’t doing this reveal alone.

The crew? A powerhouse lineup: members of the Tucker family themselves @miketucker48 @seantucker48 @rekcut48 plus Rob, Chick’s family and wife, and a whole lot of nerves (and cameras).

No one had seen the full silhouette of this Tucker in decades. It was a story parked in a garage.

So we rolled up our sleeves, opened the door, and let the legend breathe again.

The new caretakers: Rob Ida and the Tucker family.

Congrats to both families on #51!

Facebook video HERE.

Greg O.