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Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Company Radiator Emblem

National Museum of American History
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Object Details

Description
The Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Company was one of the many short-lived car companies that sprang up during the early 20th century. The company was incorporated in the summer of 1909 with a capitalization of $50,000, and the first car was completed in January 1910. The company only produced two models, the Minerva and the Nike, before going bankrupt at the end of 1910. This pentagon-shaped metal emblem has two stylized white “D’s” in the center with the motto “CARS OF CLASS” in gold underneath. The blue rim of the emblem has gold letter that reads “DETROIT/DEARBORN/MOTOR/CAR/COMPANY.”
Radiator emblems are small, colorful metal plates bearing an automobile manufacturer's name or logo that attached to the radiators grilles of early automobiles. Varying in shape and size, the emblems served as a small branding device, sometimes indicating the type of engine, place of manufacturing, or using an iconic image or catchy slogan to advertise their cars make and model. This emblem is part of the collection that was donated by Hubert G. Larson in 1964.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Hubert G. Larson
ID Number
TR.325528.072
accession number
260303
catalog number
325528.072
Object Name
emblem, radiator
Other Terms
emblem, radiator; Road; Automobile
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Radiator Emblems
Transportation
Road Transportation
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_840095
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-7e91-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Explore America: Michigan

Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Company Radiator Emblem
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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