The National Motor Car and Vehicle Corporation operated in various incarnations from 1900 until 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company began business as the National Automobile & Electric Company in 1900, changed to the National Motor Vehicle Company in 1904, and finally operated as National Motor Car & Vehicle Corporation from 1916 until 1924. This radiator emblem dates to between 1916 and 1924. National produced a variety of models, including automobiles with six and twelve-cylinder engines. The metal emblem reads “National” in the center, with the raised lettering “NATIONAL MOTOR CAR & VEHICLE CORP./INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.” around the rim.
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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