Gallery: Father-Son Team Resurrects a Strange, Forgotten Concept Car

  • Image may contain Pants Clothing Apparel Human Person Sitting Wood Flooring Denim Jeans and Plywood
    Bryan Derballa
    01

    Tucker Torpedo

    Rob Ida, left, and his father, Bob Ida, right, pose for a portrait in front of the Tucker Torpedo they're building from scratch at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015. Joe Ida, Bob's father, was a Tucker dealer for one day in the 1940s before the company went bust. Now the father and son duo are completing a car that was never produced outside of a 1/4-scale model.
  • Image may contain Tire Machine Spoke Wheel Alloy Wheel Transportation Vehicle Aircraft Airplane and Car Wheel
    Bryan Derballa
    02

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    The body of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • The steering mechanism for the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville NJ on...
    Bryan Derballa
    03

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    The steering mechanism for the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Wood Plywood Machine Wheel Spoke Alloy Wheel and Building
    Bryan Derballa
    04

    Tucker Torpedo

    A detail of the body of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Automobile Car Text Human Person Document Id Cards and Passport
    Bryan Derballa
    05

    Tucker Torpedo

    A magazine article about the Tucker Torpedo is displayed at Ida Concepts in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015. The Idas are building a Tucker Torpedo from scratch.
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Electronics Lcd Screen Monitor Screen and Display
    Bryan Derballa
    06

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    Bob Ida works on a custom-made brake for the Tucker Torpedo that he's building with his son at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Machine Tire Wheel and Car Wheel
    Bryan Derballa
    07

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    The body of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Machine
    Bryan Derballa
    08

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    A CNC lathe where Bob Ida is fabricating a custom brake for the Tucker Torpedo he's building with his son at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Ground Texture Tar Asphalt Tarmac Rug and Concrete
    Bryan Derballa
    09

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    Scraps sit in a CNC lathe where Bob Ida is fabricating a custom brake for the Tucker Torpedo he's building with his son at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Human Person Banister Handrail and Brann Dailor
    Bryan Derballa
    10

    Tucker Torpedo

    Rob Ida bends sheet metal for the body of the Tucker Torpedo he is building with his father at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Furniture Screen Electronics and Fire Screen
    Bryan Derballa
    11

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    A detail of the body of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Car Automobile Human Person Tire Wheel Machine Car Wheel Spoke and Sedan
    Bryan Derballa
    12

    Tucker Torpedo

    A press photo of the Tucker Torpedo at Ida Concepts in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Spoke Machine Wheel Alloy Wheel Tire and Car Wheel
    Bryan Derballa
    13

    WIRED | Tucker Torpedo

    The body of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida is building with his father at the shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
  • Image may contain Clothing and Apparel
    Bryan Derballa
    14

    Tucker Torpedo

    A 3D model of the Tucker Torpedo that Rob Ida and his father are building at their shop in Morganville, NJ on February 5th, 2015.
Read More
‘Darth Vader’ Wants You to Know He Definitely Supports Flock Surveillance
Anthony Ralphs was frustrated by the San Diego City Council's support for Flock. He decided it would take something more than reasoned argument to get their attention.
Vittoria Elliott
The Best Early Labor Day Kitchen Deals for Busy Fall Days
With school and sports starting again, these discounts on Instant Pots, cookware, and coffee gear arrive right on time.
Kat Merck
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold Is Better, but Not the Best
A polished update to Google’s foldable brings real improvements, but the price bump and rampant competition make it a tough sell.
Simon Hill
The US Just Recorded Its First 2 Measles Deaths This Year
The fatalities come amid declining vaccination rates and calls from President Donald Trump to split up the MMR vaccine.
Emily Mullin
The Supreme Court’s Mail-In Ballot Ruling Is a Step Toward Chaos in the Midterms
The Supreme Court has removed one roadblock from the Trump administration’s attempts to impose severe restrictions on voting.
David Gilbert
Apple Refreshes the Mac Mini and Mac Studio, Both With New AI-Ready Chips
Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio have been tough to buy for months, but updated versions have arrived. Both include new chips optimized for AI, with the M6 Mac Mini getting a $200 price bump.
Luke Larsen
I Tested the Best Kitchen Composters and Food Recyclers—and Yes, Some of Them Stink
After years of smells, strange noises, and “tea,” these are the composters and food recyclers I’d actually recommend.
Kat Merck
The Best Car Phone Mounts Are Magnetic. Change My Mind
The best car phone holders keep your phone firmly in place while never getting in your line of sight. I took a dozen on road trips this summer to find the best.
Matthew Korfhage
The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants
Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.
Aura Bogado
This Projector Is a Hole-in-One as a Golf Simulator, but Subpar for Anything Else
The Optoma GT2400HDR laser projector is great for setting up a driving range in your living room, but mediocre video quality makes it less appealing for home entertainment.
John Brandon
Border Wall Construction Threatens 6,000 Years of History on Private Lands
Archeologists are confronting an “unfathomable” loss as border wall construction is set to cut across ranches that are home to unique historical sites, many of which haven’t been fully studied.
Gabrielle Saulsbery
It Should Be Harder to Apply for a Job. No, Really
Thanks to a dwindling supply of open roles, “one-click” applications, and the rise of artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to apply for a job. We’re all paying the price.
Kate Taylor