1928 Gardner Model 8-85

Before World War I, Russell Gardner assembled Chevrolet bodies alongside the wagons his company built in St. Louis. By 1915 he was assembling complete Chevrolet automobiles and controlling all Chevrolet trade west of the Mississippi. He sold his Chevrolet businesses to GM during World War I when his sons went off to war. When the boys returned the family decided to start their own car company. They used their experience to make cars using a variety of existing components but their own designs.

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.

In 1924 famous adventurer, Cannonball Baker set a winter coast-to-coast record in a Gardner. Priced at $1,795 the 1928 Lycoming Straight 8-powered Model 85 Sport Roadster was a relatively expensive car. Standard equipment unusual for the day included dual side mounts, trunk rack, rearview mirror, automatic windshield wipers, and hydraulic brakes. The Gardner also included a unique centralized lubrication system that oiled the front and rear shackles based on the up-and-down motion of the car. With a 'double drop' frame, it has a low center of gravity making for excellent handling.

With the introduction of the 'Eight-in-line' in 1925, Gardner found itself competing with cars like Buick and Locomobile Junior Eight.

The Model 85 was powered by a 247 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine that developed 86 horsepower. It was installed a double-drop which allowed a low stance, suspended by Lovejoy hydraulic shock absorbers, and featuring automatic centralized chassis lubrication.

Gardner produced approximately 3,177 vehicles in 1928.