Tucker Corporation

Tucker Corporation's 1949 collapse ended Preston Tucker's attempt to revolutionize automotive safety and design. The Tucker 48 introduced rear-engine layout, padded dashboard, and shatterproof windshield decades before these became standard. But Tucker built only 51 cars before SEC investigation, industry opposition, and investor lawsuits destroyed the company. Tucker was acquitted of fraud but the company was already dead. Tucker demonstrated that automotive innovation requires more than engineering brilliance - it requires surviving incumbent opposition.