Pan Motor Company Radiator Emblem

Description:

This radiator emblem belonged to a Pan automobile that was manufactured by the Pan Motor Company of St. Cloud, Minnesota from 1919 until 1921. The Pan automobile was well-engineered, with some intriguing features for long-trips including seats that folded down into a bed in case the driver could not make it to a hotel, and an extra tool box and fridge box so the driver could eat if delayed and make his own repairs if able. Samuel Pandolfo, Pan’s president and owner, was convicted on four counts of mail fraud relating to his stock capitalization in 1919, preventing his company from ever reaching full operation. Only about 750 Pan cars were produced, and the company went under in 1922 when Pandolfo lost his final appeal. The circular emblem has an image of the American continents in its center with the text “PAN” across the globe, and an automobile perched at the top.

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.