Preston Tucker died of cancer on Dec. 26, 1956.

The old photographs of the real Preston Tucker that accompany the film's closing credits seem especially moving in this light.

Preston Tucker is first seen in a mock-promotional film that sets the tone of salesmanship for what will follow.

Preston Tucker didn't think of that until 1948.

Preston Tucker was a dreamer, he had courage, conviction and an idea.

Preston Tucker didn't really have an assembly line; there's one in the film.

Preston Tucker lacks an ounce of common sense or any notion of the real odds against him.

Preston Tucker held a patent for a collapsible steering column design.

With the final design in place, Preston Tucker took the pre-production cars on the road to show them in towns across the country.

The "prominent man" turned out to be Preston Tucker himself.