↑ Gaylord Gladiator (1955): A Gran Turismo In The American Manner

Extremely deep side sculpting on the 1955 Gaylord concept car allowed for fully exposed front wheels.

Extremely deep side sculpting on the 1955 Gaylord concept car allowed for fully exposed front wheels.

The first Gaylord concept car bowed in 1955 as a modern sports car with classic touches. It was styled by industrial designer Brooks Stevens.

Extremely deep side sculpting on the 1955 Gaylord concept car allowed for fully exposed front wheels.

Gaylord Gladiator (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1956)

Gaylord Gladiator (1956)

Gaylord Gladiator (1956)

Gaylord Gladiator (1956)

Gaylord Gladiator - Paris Motor Show (October, 1955)

Gaylord Gladiator - Paris Motor Show (October, 1955)

Gaylord Gladiator - Paris Motor Show (October, 1955)

Gaylord Grand Prix (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Grand Prix (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Grand Prix (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Grand Prix (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Grand Prix (1955) - Hood Ornament by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Hood Ornament by Brooks Stevens

Stevens also designed the Gaylord's sword emblem: later look the theme for his Excaliburs.

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Sketch by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Interior (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Interior (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Interior (1955) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Speedster (1956) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Speedster (1956) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator (1956) - Front-End Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Formal Town Car (1956) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

Gaylord Gladiator Phaeton (1956) - Design Proposal by Brooks Stevens

The second of two Gaylord concept cars, this 1957 prototype, wore every trendy styling element of the day, including tailfins and quad headlamps.

Though it was better-looking overall, the rear end of the 1957 Gaylord concept was fairly similar to that of the original 1955 concept.

1957 Gaylord prototype

1957 Gaylord prototype - A retractable hardtop, shown here on the 1957 concept, was one of the Gaylord concept cars' most striking features.

1957 Gaylord prototype

1957 Gaylord prototype

1957 Gaylord prototype

1957 Gaylord prototype

1957 Gaylord prototype

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Special Interest Autos, February 1981

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Formal Town Car 3/8 Scale Model (1955)

Gaylord Gladiator Formal Town Car 3/8 Scale Model (1955)

Bilder: archive.mam.org; shorey.net; blog.hemmings.com