Is this the first ever transparent bubble-roof sports car?

Unique ONES - Of course you still remember to the Ford Mustang 'Shorty' that we discussed some time ago, the car was designed by Vincent Gardner in 1963. Turn out, previously this talented automotive designer has contributed to the development of the Cord 810 model which then sent him to work under direction of Raymond Loewy at Studebaker and a few years later co-designed the AMC AMX/2.

The Gardner Special custom car designed by Vincent Gardner, and built based on the 1947 Studebaker Champion. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

In the course of his career as an automotive designer, apart from participating in the development of several models for several well-known American automotive manufacturers, it turns out that Vincent Gardner has also developed models independently. The self-developed custom car known as the Gardner Special was built based on the 1947 Studebaker Champion.

The Gardner Special custom car was one of the first dedicated "bubbletop" canopies, predating the craze that would grace hot rod show cars like the Orbitron, Predicta, etc in the 1950s and 1960. (Picture from: Mecum)

At that time the donor car was bought by Gardner in 1947 while worked under Raymond Loewy, after which he tried to realize his own idea of the perfect Studebaker inside and out. Despite the employment contract, apparently he carried out all the entire process of converting the Studebaker Champion into the Gardner Special by himself in his spare time.

The Gardner Spacial Custom car has a new grille, hood, deck and pair of taillights, and the firewall and cockpit moved back around 45 centimeter. (Picture from: Mecum)

Although at first glance at some of the details, it looks similar to the original Studebaker Champion car, basically there were no body parts that have not changed. Like the windshield, cockpit and doors shifted a little back about 45 centimeters compared to the donor model, making the bonnet look much longer.

The Gardner Special custom car designed by Vincent Gardner, and built based on the 1947 Studebaker Champion. (Picture from: Mecum)

At the same time, Gardner lowered the entire front area from the lights to the windows. A completely transparent roof extends overhead, which is designed to be removable. Uniquely, the clear plastic top came in two pieces, so it could be split and stored in the cavernous boot, but there were no side windows to offer full weather protection.

The interior of the The Gardner Special was trimmed with understated natural tan cowhide, and two holes on either side of the grille joined with the heater (mounted to a vertical wall above the toe board) to draw fresh air into the car. (Picture from: Mecum)

Some pundits even claim it was one of the first dedicated "bubbletop" canopies, predating the craze that would grace hot rod show cars like the Orbitron, Predicta, etc in the 1950s and 1960s. At the rear, it directs the exhaust pipe outward in the center of the round taillight. Inside, he reduced design to essentials by relocating the display to four round instruments under the dash, with all switches and buttons are located on the left side of the steering column.

The Gardner Special custom car is powered by a 2.7-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 80 hp, which is sent power to the rear wheels via a three-speed gearbox. (Picture from: Mecum)

Unlike many dream cars and concept cars of the time, the Studebaker Gardner Special was a fully functional car. And this was impressively demonstrated by Vince Gardner and his wife while driving the car in the 1949 Press-on-Regardless Rally, they winning after 24 hours of driving by scoring 903 out of a possible 1,000 points.

Uniquely, the clear plastic top of the Gardner Special custom car came in two pieces, so it could be split and stored in the cavernous boot. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

At the same year, Gardner showed the one-and-only car of his creation at the 1st National Roadster Show in Oakland, California, and received the 'Most Magnificent Custom Roadster' award. Not much is known about the following decades. 

After its extensive restoration ended in 2012 and the car celebrated its public debut again at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. The Studebaker Gardner Special later also stood at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it managed to get the 2nd place of the American Sports Customs Class behind the wild-looking Norman Timbs Special.

The Gardner Special custom car's front axle is equipped with independent wheel suspension, a stiff axle with leaf springs is used at the rear, coupled with drum brakes on all four wheels ensure deceleration. (Picture from: Mecum)

This days, the Studebaker Gardner Special is in excellent condition. Under the long hood is a 2.7-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 80 hp, which is sent power to the rear wheels via a three-speed gearbox. While the front axle is equipped with independent wheel suspension, a stiff axle with leaf springs is used at the rear. Drum brakes on all four wheels ensure deceleration.

In 2019, the Studebaker Gardner Special was on the list of cars to be auctioned at Bonhams as part of Monterey Car Week. The auction house expects a hammer price of between $350,000 and $450,000. And in the end the unique car was sold for $390,000.😎*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAM | SECRET-CLASSIC | MECUM | JUSTCARS | CONCEPTCARZ | HOTRODHOTLINE | THECARTHATNEVERMADEITETC ]

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