Gladden Products Corporation

John Gladden, owner of Gladden Products Corporation, manufactured aircraft parts during World War II. His chief engineer, Howard Forrest adapted a four-cylinder engine to his Salsbury scooter. While working for Gladden, Forrest continued to court his first love, his scooter, and transplanted his mini four engine into a scooter of his own design. It didn’t take long for his boss, John Gladden, to notice and together these two men designed a motor scooter that would become a legend. 

Gladden already had the name. The new scooter was to be called the Mustang. The model name ‘Colt’ was added in anticipation of a future model. In late spring 1947 they introduced a Mustang.

Subject ID: 15292

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John Gladden, owner of Gladden Products Corporation, manufactured aircraft parts during World War II. His chief engineer, Howard Forrest adapted a four-cylinder engine to his Salsbury scooter. While working for Gladden, Forrest continued to court his first love, his scooter, and transplanted his mini four engine into a scooter of his own design. It didn’t take long for his boss, John Gladden, to notice and together these two men designed a motor scooter that would become a legend. 

Gladden already had the name. The new scooter was to be called the Mustang. The model name ‘Colt’ was added in anticipation of a future model. In late spring 1947 they introduced a Mustang.

Business picked up and through a network of established dealers, sales increased. Additional employees were added for increased production. Forrest and Gardner continued to make improvements to the scooter’s basic operation. Chuck Gardner designed and engineered a new rear suspension system for the new Thoroughbred model for 1960.

With the 60’s came the winds of change. In 1964 Ford Motor Company burst onto the scene and introduced the Mustang car. By that time the Mustang Scooter factory in Glendale had wound down. Scooter production ceased and the assets were sold.

Subject ID: 15292

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