Mario's Visit to Howard Kroplick's Car Collection Show Nov 19, 2025

1 Howard Kroplick owner of the 1948 Tucker SN 1044 and many other vintage cars that you will see on my private tour of his collection.

2 1948 Tucker 1044 Restored by the Tucker Family and considered the most awarded and accurate Tucker in the world. There were only 50 Production cars and 1 Prototype produced.

3 The Famous Tucker Cyclops Eye. One of the most memorable, short-lived and stylish models in automotive history. The Middle headlight moved left right when the steering wheel moved.

4 Beautiful original Tucker Hood Ornament.

5 My brother John checking out the Tucker interior.

6 With its rear engine and front trunk, the Tucker was certainly different. Original custom leather luggage shown here, a Tucker optional accessory.

7 Another view of the custom leather luggage.

8 Tucker instrument cluster and switches shoe-boxed behind the steering wheel.

9 The interior was different with the instrument cluster and switches behind the steering wheel, making for a unique design.

10 The dashboard is unique because the Instruments are to the left. To the right side was called the “crash zone”. This is an area where you could dive into if you were in an accident for safety. It must have worked because no one ever died in a Tucker accident.

11 Original color for S/N 1044 is Andante Green. Howard revived the green color during restoration. The car was painted brown when he found it.

12 The Official Tucker Coat of Arms Crest Medallion on the trunk.

13 The Tucker had a 6-cylinder 335ci 166hp helicopter engine in the rear. The trunk was in the front and Preston Tucker promoted it as the first new car in 50 years.

14 1948 Tucker 1044 Highlights.

15 Original Tucker Sales Brochure. Preston Tucker had its assembly line in Chicago and began producing cars in 1947. It was promoted as the “Car of Tomorrow” for 1948.

16 1948 Tucker 1044 Won at Pebble Beach in 2018 and has won 5 Best In Shows.

17 The car was restored by the great-grandsons of Preston Tucker, Mike and Sean Tucker. This car was extremely well documented when restored.

18 To the right of the instrument cluster was called the “crash zone”. This is an area that if you were in an accident you could dive into it for safety.

19 With its rear engine and front trunk, the Tucker was certainly different. An accessory was custom leather luggage shown here fitted to the front trunk.

20 Tucker instrument cluster and switches shoe-boxed behind the steering wheel making for an unusually spacious area on the passenger side.

21 Tucker rear engine 335 cu in horizontally opposed flat-six engine 166 hp.

22 Tuckers are rarely seen at car shows. Many are owned by museums and unfortunately, they sit stagnant. There are only about 10 of the Tuckers that actually run including this one.

23 How many other cars have ever had a motion picture recount their development as the 1988 movie “Tucker The Man and His Dream” starring Jeff Bridges.

24 Howard Kroplick and his 1948 Tucker 1044 considered the most awarded and accurate Tucker in the world. A True Diamond of Exotic Vintage cars. This Tucker is in good hands with Howard Kroplick. His love of the car was evident to me in his showing.

25 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline long wheelbase won 2nd place in class at Pebble Beach this year in August 2025. Another beautiful luxury vintage car in Howard’s collection.

26 This 1930 Duesenberg J is a rare survivor of the eight existing Murphy long wheelbase Sedan Convertibles total built 16 and six existing Murphy Berlines total built 11.

27 Wire wheels, polished aluminum exhausts and side mounted spare tires adorn this beautiful automobile.

28 Broad running boards for easy entry and exit with a sharply raked windshield.

29 All polished aluminum radiator grill with 4 forward headlights.

30 Many noted accessories on this vintage 1930 Duesenberg J.

31 A 6.9 L (420 cu in) DOHC Duesenberg Straight-8 engine with an amazing 265 HP. Years ahead of all the other luxury cars of its time.

32 This car was intended to compete with the most luxurious and powerful cars in the world. And did so very well.

33 Walnut trimmed wood grained steering wheel and fine instrument panel for the Chauffeur with full instrumentation.

34 It is the only known J Murphy Sedan Convertible with a removable interior headliner. Berline roll down Chauffeur window could be hand cranked up and down.

35 Beautiful original leather trunk in rear.

36 Doors open at the center B-Pillars.

37 1937 Walter P. Chrysler's Chrysler LeBaron One of a Kind. A 7-passenger limo custom built by Walter P. Chrysler for his wife Della. It Won at Pebble Beach in 2014 and 2024.

38 Wheelbase 144 inches. Overall length 228 inches. Overall width 78 inches. Overall height 70 inches. Curb weight an estimated 6,300 pounds.

39 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler Imperial C-15. Custom crafted by LeBaron for Mrs. Della Chrysler.

40 Known to be the personal car of Walter P. Chrysler that he had commissioned as a present for his wife, Della.

41 A 7-passenger limo town car, coachwork by LeBaron. One of a kind and believed to be the first automobile ever built with spring-loaded power windows and door locks.

42 Beautiful sloped rear on this Chrysler. Since the restoration has been finished, Howard has been on a serious run collecting some of the automotive world’s most prestigious automobiles.

43 The straight-eight engine displaces 323.5 cubic inches (5.3 Liters) and produces 130 horsepower.

44 Straight 8 engine another angle.

45 Beautifully detailed Chauffeur interior and flush mounted controls.

46 At one time there was a ferry from Oyster Bay, Long Island to Stamford CT that crossed the Long Island Sound. This was news to me as I live in Oyster Bay. This is an original sign. Howard is also the Historian for the North Hempstead Township as well as for Roslyn NY and he is very knowledgeable.

47 Howard Kroplick with his 1909 ALCO-6 Racer Black Beast which won first place in the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island. He is author of the book “Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island”. Howard graciously autographed my copy of the book. Thank you, Howard.

48 The 1909 ALCO participated in the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 and finished 33rd. There were a total of 1000 ALCO cars and trucks built, and this is only 1 of 12 race cars that exist today.

49 Behind the Wheel Driver's view. Wheelbase 134 inches. Curb weight 3,306 pounds. An incredible Racing Machine from 1909 was restored and cared for by Howard and his crew.

50 One of the first 6-cylinder race cars. The Engine is an ALCO T-head straight-six displacing 11.16 liters or 680.6 cubic inches attaining 100 HP. A huge engine for its time with a lot of horsepower for 1909.

51 Multiple spare tires were needed back in 1909 due to constant blow outs.

52 There are 2 bucket seats, one for the driver and one for the mechanic who rode along to take care of any mechanical issues.

53 The 1909 ALCO was found and purchased by Howard in 2008 in Brussels, Belgium. Howard and his wife went to Brussels to view and ultimately purchase the car and bring it back to the United States where it originated. The car attained a top speed of 121 MPH in 2006.

54 The 1909 ALCO returns to Indy 500 for the 100th Anniversary Parade on May 29, 2011. Howard is riding in the car, and the driver is Emerson Fittipaldi, an Indy race driver. They held a ceremonial lap at the racetrack and attained a speed of 68 mph.

55 1909 ALCO Race Car facts. On Nov 11, 2012 the 1909 ALCO Black Beast was featured in the History Channel’s mini-series “Men who built America”.

56 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III. Race bred Ford Falcon that fought Ferrari before the GT40. Another Unique car in Howard Kroplick’s collection.

57 One of a kind Ford Falcon modified by Holman Moody to compete in world challenge races of speed and endurance.

58 The 1962 Holman Moody Car is on a lift in Howard's Garage as seen here.

59 Ford Falcon interior with a 4 speed. Holman and Moody were hired by Ford to come up with 3 Racing Cars. This was their third.

60 In 1962 even Ford was starting to feel the need for competition in racing again. The engine is a Hi compression 289 ci V8 230 hp.

61 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car. The prelude to the famous 1964 Mustang.

62 This car is considered to be the oldest Mustang on the road today and a great addition to Howard's collection.

63 One of a kind prototype 2-seater Fastback.

64 Concept car that helped ignite the pony car revolution. Featured a 302 CI V8 300 + HP bored out from the 260 CI V8.

65 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H. One of 55 Wimbledon White Mustangs built for Hertz Sports Car Rental.

66 Howard with his 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H. One of his favorite cars in his collection having owned one before and it's a Beauty.

67 The Sun Visor of the car was signed by Carroll Shelby himself requested by Howard when he met him. What a fantastic souvenir!

68 Beautiful Fastback design.

69 The GT350-H posted 0-60 MPH times of 6.6 seconds and was capable of completing a ¼ mile in only 15.2 seconds.

70 A Cobra 289 High-Performance V8 producing 306 HP. A Real Beauty!

71 1984 Domino's Tritan A2 Aerocar Pizza Delivery Truck. One of 10 prototype pizza delivery vehicles produced.

72 Commissioned by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan in 1984.

73 Seven of the original ten still exist today and Howard has one.

74 Originally equipped with a pizza oven in the back but taken out when they were sold off. Howard is hoping to find one of the ovens for his Tritan Aerocar.

75 2006 Shelby Mustang GT350-H to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Shelby GT350-H production run. 500 cars were built and only sold to Hertz for rental.

76 2006 Shelby Mustang GT350-H. The 2006 Ford Shelby GT350-H commemorates the 40-year anniversary of famed Shelby Hertz GT350-H “Rent-A-Racer” program. I love the muscle stance on this car.

77 2006 Shelby Mustang GT350-H.

78 2006 Shelby Mustang GT350-H 4.6 L V8 with Power Pack (FR1) to add a genuine 25 HP for 325 HP.

79 Original Famous Islip Speedway sign from Long Island's Drag Strip. I've been there many times. But not there anymore.

80 Working shop with many wall photos and souvenirs.

81 Vintage Gulf Gas sign and Atlantic Gas Pumps.

82 My Brother John and his 1968 Corvette Convertible which we drove in to Howard's Garage in Roslyn NY.

83 Original Tucker Dealer sign. "America's First Completely New Car In 50 Years".

84 Yours truly at Howard's Garage. A Great day looking at all of Howard’s Collectibles. Thank you, Howard for the personal tour.

85 1948 Tucker and 1930 Duesy. Photo courtesy of my brother John.

86 Howard and Mario discussing the 1948 Tucker. Photo courtesy of my brother John.

87 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III. Photo courtesy of my brother John

88 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H. Photo courtesy of my brother John

89 Showroom entrance 1. Photo courtesy of my brother John

90 Showroom entrance 2. Photo courtesy of my brother John