pgb123 Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 I recently learned about a 1924 Gardner touring for sale and went to see it. The car is good condition considering things, but I can not find much about parts available for the car. I understand that the cars were only made for a short period of time. I would like to correspond with Gardner collectors or anyone who had worked on these automobiles. The Lycoming engine I understood to be an aircraft engine, and I was surprised to see one as the engine in the car. It looks like a real beast! I have been to the Gardner website and Wikipedia. It would be nice to talk with some one who has experience on these cars to learn more about them.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfre Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 I have a 23 24 28 gardner what would you like to know Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 28 minutes ago, pgb123 said: I recently learned about a 1924 Gardner touring for sale and went to see it. The car is good condition considering things, but I can not find much about parts available for the car. I understand that the cars were only made for a short period of time. I would like to correspond with Gardner collectors or anyone who had worked on these automobiles. The Lycoming engine I understood to be an aircraft engine, and I was surprised to see one as the engine in the car. It looks like a real beast! I have been to the Gardner website and Wikipedia. It would be nice to talk with some one who has experience on these cars to learn more about them.Thanks Lycoming made automotive engines before aero engines. Quite a few makers used them. They were part of The Cord empire for a while. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycoming_Engines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgb123 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 Thank you for your responses. I am wondering if there are any specific links you may offer for engine and body parts, etc. The car appears to be pretty complete, but is missing the horn button and control arms for the distributor and fuel. I believe the rods going through the steering arm are there. Are there reproduced repair manuals for these cars and especially the engine? How could I determine ignition parts numbers without a parts manual? Who would be a supplier of ignition and electrical parts? What type of transmission-cone or clutch disc? Right now I am looking to find the horn button and parts. I am looking for support from the automobile world to save the car and am trying to reach out to people who have worked on them to help me. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 And , along with Continental , Lycoming made aero engines after auto engines. They have different requirements , air cooling on high , weight and mounting points , different power band , dual ignition , etc. Although, with compromises , you could make an aero engine run you around on the ground , vice-versa would not be a simple plug and play job. Have auto engines flown ? IIRC , VW engines have been modified to do so , and I doubt they are the only ones. Big heavy liquid cooled engines , of course have powered heavier than air flying machines. But those are quite dissimilar to earthbound power. Naturally , though , they have been adapted for speed on land and water. pgb 123 , along with the rods for your ignition and hand throttle controls , do you still have the gears at the steering box end which translate the motion to the carb and distributor ? Also , at this stage of the game , many pictures will help out immensely. Not to mention , we all would love to be introduced to your fine car ! Man ! A ‘24 Gardner touring ! If you are falling in love with it , quickly post pics , and if you get thumbs-up from us here , make your best deal and buy it. As you know , quite a few of us just love nickle era cars. Doesn’t hurt that the guys with the big bucks have let us have our fun with them. Sure , I would love to be able to have brass and classic cars. Just can’t afford them anymore. So I have a 1924 Cadillac touring , and a 1927 Cadillac sedan. Nickle lets me have two for the price of one ! I hope this Gardner works out for you ! - Carl Hmmmm....... , it just occurred to me that I think this is the first posting I have made with my brand spanking NEW (third) , iPad mini. I love it ! To celebrate , let me see if I can find a pic of a nickle era car to post. How about my friend “B”’s ‘24 Cadillac touring ? Everybody must be getting bored with all the pics of mine. Besides , “B” can put the top down on his. Mine still has the original top and headliner , which are getting fragile. I have never put it down. O.K. , your turn for pics , please ! - CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 (edited) Bob Gardner visits our Forum from time to time, and he is an expert on all things related to Gardner cars. His wife is knowledgeable too. (They're no relation to the company.) Bob maintains the Gardner car registry, too, and you may find that he knows about that '24 car for sale. Here is the website he maintains, and you should be able to contact him via e-mail through that website: http://www.gardnermotorcars.com/ Happy Gardening! Edited April 14, 2018 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 I have had this in my display case for quite a few years. My wife and I were emptying out an old auto service garage in Ashland, Oregon that was going to be torn down and this was just sitting on one of the fire blocks between the studs over what used to be the workbench.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Gardeners have unfortunately not survived in very large numbers. I have a feeling that once Gardener's went out of business the cars were looked at as obsolete and depreciated to the point they were of very little value on the used car market. Most were no doubt scrapped. Parts will be a challenge . At least there is a registry , and probably a bit of reproduction of frequently needed parts. I expect Gardener parts are pretty much a small batch , custom order situation rather than something old car hobby parts venders keep in stock. By all means contact the registry, they will be essential for happy Gardener ownership. Greg in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Encourage The 3-D printing industry and soon those parts will be easy to obtain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Gardner was an assembled car, so there should be a lot of cross pollination with other brands. Ned Gardner had quite the reversal of fortune around 1929. Company was floundering, his wife caught him cheating and divorced him. Took the mansion and most of his cash. Company went under and he was soon was broke and never gained his footing again. Moved around the country, not staying in one place for long. I think he lived until 1940. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewar40 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 I don't know of any Ned Gardner with the car company. Russell Gardner was a partner in a very successful investment firm after he quit making cars. Died in 1978. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 The old Car Classics publication had a nice Gardner article, circa 1974. I recall it was rather complete with lots of history of the company. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 16 hours ago, prewar40 said: I don't know of any Ned Gardner with the car company. Russell Gardner was a partner in a very successful investment firm after he quit making cars. Died in 1978. You are right. I confused Ned Jordan with Ned Gardner. My bad doing it from memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 On 4/15/2018 at 3:55 PM, prewar40 said: I don't know of any Ned Gardner with the car company. You were probably thinking of Ned Chevrolet, the race car driver, or maybe Ned Chrysler, the mechanical genius who started his own company--- (Well, as long as we're having some fun.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdang Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Did someone wake up Ned Devine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I mix up Gardner and Jordan all the time, as they were basically identical. Upper middle class assembled car companies that went out of business in 1930. Jordan had the much more colorful founder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgb123 Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Good Morning, I have been doing some research with Bob Gardner's help. We believe that the car is a 1923 Radio Flyer. I will try to attach photos. The website and club members will help out in this adventure. Bob informed me that the opening on the dash is not for a flush mounted automotive clock, but the fuse box!! Also missing or the spark and throttle steering column, and horn button. See the 4th photo. I have been given a few days to make a decision on the car, and have learned that parts are rare. If anyone has any suggestion of parts, please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Apart from the control rods and levers it doesn't look like the missing parts would stop you from using the car. And it should not be too hard to make some functional if incorrect controls. Over time you can hunt down the missing parts and enjoy using a interesting and uncommon vintage car. If the price is reasonable I would not hesitate. Greg in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgb123 Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share Posted April 20, 2018 Thank you for your comments. I did purchase the car. Now the fun begins Paul 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewar40 Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) I agree it was an interesting thread. I want to thank Alfe and John S Penn who pointed him to my web site. I took a look at the photos and told him what I saw that was wrong or missing and we've already located a few parts. The slogan for the '23-'25 Gardner was "all that a four can save and all that a six can do", was no idle boast. At 43HP it was the most powerful 4 cyl, and the Radio Special had all the options making this car a very desirable '24 four banger. Most important is the new home the car will have, he has a real appreciation of automotive history. Edited April 20, 2018 by prewar40 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Paul, nice find. Should be an easier than most restoration. Upon seeing the pictures, I was surprised that the dash looks so similar to the dashes in my 1923 Kissel Kars. Those fuse boxes are hard to find but you can easiLy fabricate the fuse block for functionality and gradually hope to find the fuse box cover. Spark and throttle controls are often on eBay. How big are those disk wheels please? They are rare for a 1923. thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Hud Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Looks like a neat car, looking forward to seeing more pics when it comes out into the open air. Big fan of the nickel era automobiles, under appreciated, affordable and relatively simple mechanically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgb123 Posted May 6, 2018 Author Share Posted May 6, 2018 Hello Everyone, Here are some photos of the 1924 tour delux, C5 Gardner. Bob Gardner, President of the Gardner club, has helped me to identify the model of the car. At first, we thought it was a radio flyer, but now with the car exposed to sunlight after 20 years, it is still a beauty. I enjoy history with cars, and Bob was actually able to trace down the dealership in Canada that sold the car. There are stamped an address and telephone number on the cover and front page. I am going to try to copy the ad, but I am not a good computer user and may loose it. The car came from Consolidated Motors located in Winnipeg, Canada. Also, there were two other names of previous owners of this car written on the back cover of the owners manual, to the previous buyer, and now me. One person owned the car for 29 years. I am very thankful to Bob and other members of the club for helping me out. One ought to read the article about Bob Gardner's adventure into the world of Gardners. I do not plan to rush in to this project. I want to learn more about the mechanics, like the ignition governor, and search for some parts. I am more mechanic that body man and really look forward to learn this impressive engine. Paul 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Congrats on the car! I'd assume any parts needed will mostly be custom jobs, but your car looks pretty complete, and you're already in touch with folks who are preserving the brand, so that's not too bad of a start! It'll be a new experience for you it sounds like in not simply going online and looking for the parts needed, but hang in there, you'll have an awesome reward when all is said and done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Neat car, and a fun project to get running and sort out. PLEASE never haul that car on a trailer like that again, it’s incredibly dangerous to you and others. Looking forward to more photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDTowing Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 On 4/15/2018 at 4:22 AM, C Carl said: And , along with Continental , Lycoming made aero engines after auto engines. They have different requirements , air cooling on high , weight and mounting points , different power band , dual ignition , etc. Although, with compromises , you could make an aero engine run you around on the ground , vice-versa would not be a simple plug and play job. Have auto engines flown ? IIRC , VW engines have been modified to do so , and I doubt they are the only ones. Big heavy liquid cooled engines , of course have powered heavier than air flying machines. But those are quite dissimilar to earthbound power. Naturally , though , they have been adapted for speed on land and water. pgb 123 , along with the rods for your ignition and hand throttle controls , do you still have the gears at the steering box end which translate the motion to the carb and distributor ? Also , at this stage of the game , many pictures will help out immensely. Not to mention , we all would love to be introduced to your fine car ! Man ! A ‘24 Gardner touring ! If you are falling in love with it , quickly post pics , and if you get thumbs-up from us here , make your best deal and buy it. As you know , quite a few of us just love nickle era cars. Doesn’t hurt that the guys with the big bucks have let us have our fun with them. Sure , I would love to be able to have brass and classic cars. Just can’t afford them anymore. So I have a 1924 Cadillac touring , and a 1927 Cadillac sedan. Nickle lets me have two for the price of one ! I hope this Gardner works out for you ! - Carl Hmmmm....... , it just occurred to me that I think this is the first posting I have made with my brand spanking NEW (third) , iPad mini. I love it ! To celebrate , let me see if I can find a pic of a nickle era car to post. How about my friend “B”’s ‘24 Cadillac touring ? Everybody must be getting bored with all the pics of mine. Besides , “B” can put the top down on his. Mine still has the original top and headliner , which are getting fragile. I have never put it down. O.K. , your turn for pics , please ! - CC Wow! This is really a great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDTowing Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 On 5/6/2018 at 9:20 PM, pgb123 said: Hello Everyone, Here are some photos of the 1924 tour delux, C5 Gardner. Bob Gardner, President of the Gardner club, has helped me to identify the model of the car. At first, we thought it was a radio flyer, but now with the car exposed to sunlight after 20 years, it is still a beauty. I enjoy history with cars, and Bob was actually able to trace down the dealership in Canada that sold the car. There are stamped an address and telephone number on the cover and front page. I am going to try to copy the ad, but I am not a good computer user and may loose it. The car came from Consolidated Motors located in Winnipeg, Canada. Also, there were two other names of previous owners of this car written on the back cover of the owners manual, to the previous buyer, and now me. One person owned the car for 29 years. I am very thankful to Bob and other members of the club for helping me out. One ought to read the article about Bob Gardner's adventure into the world of Gardners. I do not plan to rush in to this project. I want to learn more about the mechanics, like the ignition governor, and search for some parts. I am more mechanic that body man and really look forward to learn this impressive engine. Paul Hey! As you described the car earlier, it is pretty good to buy. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holgie Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 I am not sure when you put up the picks of your Gardner but I thought I would show you a pick of mine in Australia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewar40 Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 Wow - that is an authentic restoration on a Radio Special. Limousine blue was the favorite color for this car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 There is one for sale this weekend at the Mecum auctions. https://www.mecum.com/lots/PJ0618-329019/1924-gardner-radio-special-touring/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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