1928 Gardner Model 120 Four-Door Sport Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

Prototypes of the Gardner automobile were first built in St. Louis, Missouri in late-1919 with production beginning early in 1920. Gardner was an assembled car using components from other companies – engines from Lycoming, gearboxes from Warner, axles from Columbia, clutches from Borg and Beck, and ignitions from Delco. Lockheed brakes were added in 1927.    

With the introduction of the “Eight-in-line” in 1925, Gardner found itself competing with cars like Buick and the Locomobile Junior Eight. This Model 120 is powered by an 76 hp 247 cu-in inline eight-cylinder engine. It boasted a double-drop frame which provides a low stance, automatic centralized chassis lubrication system, Lovejoy hydraulic shock absorbers, and hydraulic brakes; all of which made for a very sophisticated and stylish automobile.   

Defying logic, Gardner offered 50 different color combinations, 25 different interiors, and the availability of any custom color upon request for 1928; an incredible feat considering it built 3,177 cars that year. Of special note are the elaborately decorated art deco door sills and dashboard in addition to the massive griffin hood ornament. This is one of approximately 800 Model 85’s built for 1928. Gardner built its final cars in 1932.  

Highlights  

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection  

• Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder engine 

• Elaborate art deco doors sills and dash  

• One of 800 Model 85’s built for 1928 

• An assembled car with high-quality components 

• An older restoration ideal for tours 

Features  

• Rear window privacy shades 

• Mohair upholstery 

• Wool headliner and rear carpets 

• Nickel-plated interior trim 

• Artillery wood wheels 

• Rear-mounted spare tire 

• Newer padded roof 

• Crank out windshield with sun visor 

• Marbled glass accessory gear shift knob 

 Known Imperfections  

• Missing rear window cranks 

• Miscellaneous nick and chips 

• Scraped running board moldings   

Ownership History  

David Noran, Ft, Thomas, Kentucky; Mr. Gardner; William E. Kent, Salem, Oregon, 16 October 2003.  

Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection, recalls, “This is one of the many cars J.B Nethercutt purchased later in his life for nostalgic purposes. When J.B was growing up in Santa Monica, he always dreamed of owning the finest automobiles from his youth.  He achieved his goals of owning and restoring some of the rarest and finest cars ever to be produced. As the years went on, he began to wonder what happened to all the “black iron” or “regular” automobiles from his youth. He then sought to find all the low-production, yet special vehicles that he used to share the road with as a teenager. This wonderful Gardner is one of those special vehicles that J.B remembered, re-discovered, and collected in his extravagant lifetime. Also, it has an absolutely stunning dashboard!”

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty. 

Contact: Donnie Gould    Phone: 954.647.0779     email: dgould@hagerty.com