2021, March – Amelia Island Press Release

Rare  Maverick  Sportster  Makes  International  Concours  Debut
Amelia  Island  Press  Release: March,  2021

RARE MAVERICK SPORTSTER MAKES INTERNATIONAL CONCOURS
DEBUTS AT AMELIA 2021

Jacksonville, FL – Visited by the same sort of refined esthetics and sophistication that motivated Edsel Ford when he conceived the Lincoln Continental, aeronautical engineer Sterling “Smoke” Gladwin created the Maverick Sportster, a California-flavored 1950’s take on the French species often called the boulevardier.

Seven Mavericks were created. On May 23, 2021 one of the rare California breed will debut at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance thanks to years of ruthless research and an exquisite restoration.  The foundation of the Maverick Sportster is Cadillac.

A fact that the former Boeing and Lockheed engineer who created and designed it was most proud. And he said so openly in Maverick sales literature. Stock Cadillac components mated with the reduced weight of its fiberglass body shell – some Mavericks had no hoods or doors – gave the Maverick a power to weight ratio of 12-to-1, something that engineer Gladwin compared to high performance aircraft.  That made for a boulevardier with muscle. Cadillac’s 331 OHV V-8 could be mated to any stock Cadillac transmission.

On some models, a passenger side door was included as Gladwin did not want the driver opening his door and stepping into harm’s way. He dismissed the lack of a hood claiming that the entire body could be removed from the frame in six minutes.

“Debuting a brand-new restoration is one of the true honors – and pleasures – of hosting The Amelia,” said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.  Bill went on to share…

“The Maverick is one of those rare customs I’ve taken to calling a ‘destination car’ – a car so elegant and beautiful that it’s capable — all by itself – of drawing hard core car people to the Amelia. And I’m proud that the owners have chosen us for its concours debut and that it’s a 100 percent American car even though it speaks to me with a Parisian accent.”