Gardner

Gardner was an automobile manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri, between 1920 and 1931. The company was established by the three sons of Russell Gardner, who had previously sold his Chevrolet business to General Motors. Gardner cars were assembled from bought-in parts, and sales increased from 3,800 cars in 1921 to 9,000 in 1922. In 1924, a Gardner set a new mid-winter transcontinental record. The plant's capacity was 40,000 cars annually, and by 1925 both sixes and eights were produced. The eights were the only engines used from 1927 to 1929. In 1930, Gardner returned to the six-cylinder engine only and announced a front-wheel-drive six-cylinder car, but it only produced prototypes. In 1931, the company stopped producing automobiles due to fierce competition from major producers and their control of many sources of parts supply.

- Late 19th century: Gardner builds Banner buggies in St. Louis, Missouri - 1915: Gardner begins complete assembly of Chevrolet cars in St. Louis - 1919: Gardner Motor Company established by Russell E. Gardner, Sr. and his two sons, Russell E. Gardner, Jr. and Fred Gardner - Late 1919: Gardner introduces a four-cylinder model with a 112-inch wheelbase - 1921: Gardner sells 3,800 cars - 1922: Gardner sells 9,000 cars; Cannon Ball Baker sets a transcontinental record in a Gardner - 1925: Gardner stops producing four-cylinder cars; both six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models produced - 1927-1929: Gardner only produces eight-cylinder models - Summer 1929: Gardner announces plans for a new car to be sold by mail order and to manufacture the front-wheel-drive Ruxton, but both deals fall through due to the stock market crash - 1930: Gardner returns to producing six-cylinder cars only; announces plans for a front-wheel-drive six-cylinder car, but only produces prototypes - Mid-1931: Gardner stops producing automobiles due to fierce competition from major producers and their control of many sources of parts supply; continues to build funeral cars until 1932.