- Renowned St. Louis-built automobile
- 42 hp Lycoming engine
- Well-appointed sedan body
Russell Gardner, a Tennessee native, left home in 1879 for St.
Louis. Before the turn of the twentieth century, he had commenced
to manufacture Banner buggies, an endeavor that left him a
millionaire several times over. Building some bodies for Chevrolet
positioned him to begin assembling Chevys and eventually led to
distribution up and down the Mississippi River. When his sons
enlisted in the Navy during World War I, he sold his business to
General Motors. At war's end, the Gardners were able to establish
their own Gardner Motor Company.
The first Gardners, introduced as 1920 models, were medium-priced
cars using four-cylinder, 35 hp Lycoming engines. Initially, there
were just roadsters, touring cars, and sedans on a 112-inch
wheelbase. In 1924, Cannonball Baker made a new midwinter
transcontinental record, traveling from New York to Los Angeles in
a Gardner in just seven days, 17 hours, and eight minutes.
The Merrick Auto Museum purchased this Gardner in January 1999.
Previous owners include Wade Accomazzo of Tolleson, Arizona, and
James Murray Miller of Phoenix. The tan body harmonizes nicely with
black fenders pinstriped in body color, and the greenhouse is
finished in a similar motif. The black disc wheels are also tan
striped and mounted with 4.50 � 21 Garfield whitewall tires. The
spare is carried in the left front fender, and there is a trunk
rack at the rear. Features include an under-seat heater, roller
shades in the passenger compartment, and pockets in the rear doors.
The upholstery is done in tan mohair. The engine, a Type CE
Lycoming, develops 42 bhp from 206 cubic inches.
Of the more than 100 makes of automobiles built in St. Louis,
Gardner ranks with Moon and Corvette among the best remembered.To
view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
