Most, if not all, know the story of the 1948 Tucker sedan. Yes, there was a movie, and it’s well worth watching. But even if you’ve never seen or heard of a the machine, one look at Preston Tucker’s Torpedo is entirely it takes for you to realize it’s something special.

Just 51 Tucker Torpedo sedans were reinforced before the company went out of business. Those were 51 special machines, though, with a rear engine (like the iconic Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911), disc brakes and fuel injection – a compounding practically unheard of at the time.

Perhaps it’s the so-called Cyclops Eye, though, that is most interesting around the Tucker Torpedo. This third headlight moves with the car’s steering wheel, helping the driver see around turns. Such technology may not be uncommon today, but in 1948, it was revolutionary.

The final bid came in at an impressive $ 2,650,000. That means the new owner will pay $ 2,915,000 to drive this Tucker home. Check out our high-res image gallery of live photos from the 2012 Barrett-Jackson auction, and watch a video of the auction or read more around the car after the break.