6 failed car companies

Entrepreneur and one-time car salesman Preston Tucker saw a golden opportunity after World War II when Detroit had returned to making automobiles but was not producing new designs. He quickly drafted plans for a car of the future, which became known as the Tucker '48.

Long before production started, he raised $40 million by selling public stock and dealerships. Public interest grew as Tucker boasted new features that had yet to be developed or were eventually abandoned because they were too expensive.

Negative media coverage about the '48 and an SEC investigation into Tucker's financing schemes resulted in a trial that halted production. Tucker built only 51 '48s, which today can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

NEXT: Cunningham Motors (1950 - 1955)