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.
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