48 Timbs Special: The Land Yacht

In an era of war veterans, when creating a car for mass markets was the core aim of auto manufacturers, Preston Tucker and Norman Timbs were secretly working on the Tucker 48. Although the Tucker 48 ran into trouble, the engineers behind the 48 Tucker were still around.

Timbs Special with Norman Timbs driving it

One such engineer was Norman Timbs, a Mechanical engineer, and Aerodynamics specialist, Norman Timbs was overwhelmed by the post-war era race cars and Grand Prix(GP) cars. In an initiative to design one such car, Norman Timbs created one of the most aerodynamic cars of the yesteryears. Elegant, swooping and streamlined were synonyms of the car. The project that began alongside the Tucker took three years to complete.

The project began with comprehensive drawings of the chassis and a quarter-scale model of several potential ideas. These were followed by a wooden model that incorporated more pleasing elements. The chassis of the car was constructed using aircraft tubing and the body was all aluminum. Inspired by the design and engineering of the Auto Union Type C and the Mercedes Benz W25 Avus Grand Prix cars, the Timbs Special was a mid engined car and employed the aerodynamic design principles of GP cars. The car measures 17.5 feet long and had a wheelbase of 117 inches.

Powered by a Buick straight eight, the car's rear covers the engine block, fuel tank, and the spare wheel. Just as it made it to the covers of the "Road and Track magazine" the magazine reads,

"Here's a little workbench project you can try out some evening. But remember, the job took a Mechanical engineer, Norman.E.Timbs, 2.5 years of spare time and $ 30,000 to build. "

With most cars having an electronic trunk opener these days, the Timbs Special was the pioneer in launching the trunk lift button. It was hydraulic and lifted instantly with the push of a button on the aluminum and leather padded dash.

By mid-1950s the car came under the ownership of Jim Davis, an Air Force officer. Most of its life was spent sitting in a desert where it deteriorated. In 2002 though, the car was auctioned off for a price of $ 17,600. The new owner Gary Cerveny started off with the restorations immediately. In 2010, the car made its restoration debut at the Amelia Island Concours where it won the "RM Auctions Trophy for the Best Open Car".

Sadly though, the summer of 2018 saw the car leave all of us. The wildfires a.k.a the 'Camp Fire' destroyed the ballet dancer of the roads.

Hoping to recreate the car sometime....... The Timbs Special.......