1953 FORD VEGA ROADSTER 'GARDNER SPECIAL'
Whats Under The Hood?
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Description
Summary
136cid 'Flathead' V8 with Weiand heads and intake. Hand crafted all alloy body. Documented one of a kind design for Motor Trend competition.
Details
This 'one off' prototype was commissioned by Ford Motor Company and financed by Henry Ford II. Willys Wagner, stylist for the International Division of Ford Motor Company and the legendary Indy racecar designer Frank Kurtis awarded the project to automotive designer Vince Gardner. Vince's resume includes Studebaker, Ford, Budd car body manufacturer, and most notably, the Auburn Automobile Company design department under the direction of Gordon Buehrig, the design team responsible for the famed Cord 810.Vince's influences from his days at the Auburn Automobile Company are clearly evident in the Vega's (Cord like) disappearing headlights. Vince spent over 2 years building the lightweight aluminum bodied roadster. Henry Ford would check on the progress and sometimes bring his celebrity friends, Groucho Marx and Red Skelton. Howard Hughes also paid a visit. Upon the cars completion, Ford Motor Company summoned the 'one off' Vega roadster back to Dearborn to celebrate the firms 50th anniversary. Ford displayed the Vega for several years at its Rotunda Exhibition Hall in Dearborn. Then it slipped into obscurity. However, not before a seed was planted. While strolling through the 1953 Paris Auto Show, Henry Ford II, first acknowledged interest in building his own two seat roadster, which would become the 55 Thunderbird. *TITLED AS A1953 GARDNER*
Financing
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Monthly payment of $549.20 based on a purchase price of $50,000.00 with 15% down and 9.47% APR financing for 120 months. Monthly payment of $926.28 based on a purchase price of $100,000.00 with 20% down and 9.35% APR financing for 144 months. Monthly payment of $1,650.77 based on a purchase price of $200,000.00 with 20% down and 9.29% APR financing for 180 months. Rate with optional AutoPay (ACH Debit) discount. AutoPay discount is only available prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay discount are 0.25% higher. Best rates are available for credit scores of 700 and above. TT&L may also be financed. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.