Editing Tucker 48 (section)

==== Tuckermatic drive ====
[[File:Tucker335andTuckermaticR12.JPG|thumb|Tucker 335 engine and Tuckermatic R-1-2 transmission (trans recovered from car #1042; note second torque converter on the end)]]
To solve the transmission problems with a new final transmission design, Warren Rice, creator of the [[Buick]] [[Dynaflow]] transmission, was consulted. A unique [[continuously variable transmission]] called the "Tuckermatic" was designed, which was strong enough to handle the Franklin O-335's power and torque. It was a simple but effective design with a single, rear-mounted torque converter and only 27 basic moving parts which was about 90 fewer than normally required for a contemporary automatic. The variable pitch torque converter allowed a continuously variable drive ratio with two forward gears and one reverse gear. 

The only surviving car with a Tuckermatic installed had a standard column shift lever, with a three position quadrant on the steering column. Up was reverse, the middle was neutral, and down was drive. Due to the Tuckermatic's design, no lower gear selections were necessary, hence there was no need for a multi gated selector like other automatics.

Three versions of the Tuckermatic were made: the R-1, R-1-2, and R-3 (R for Warren Rice, its designer). The first version, the R-1, was not installed on any of the final cars. It required the engine to be off in order to select a gear. The R-1-2 was improved by adding a [[layshaft]] brake to allow gear selection while the engine was running. This version was installed on cars #1026 and 1042 only. The R-3 version had further improvements including a [[centrifugal clutch]] to help shifting between forward and reverse even further, and may have been destined for car #1048 for further testing.

Because the external torque converter on the Tuckermatic made the engine-transmission unit longer, the fuel tank in the Tucker 48 had to be moved from behind the rear seat to in front of the dashboard for all Tuckers from car #1026 forward, even though only two of them actually had the Tuckermatic installed. This had the added advantage of improving weight distribution in the car.