Gray-Dort Radiator Emblem

Gray-Dort Radiator Emblem

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Description
This radiator emblem belonged to a Gray-Dort Automobile that was manufactured by Gray-Dort Motors of Ontario, Canada from 1915 until 1924. Josiah Dallas Dort founded the Dort Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan in 1915, and sold Gray the Canadian rights to his Dort automobile that same year. The Dort sold well in Canada, only ceasing production with Dort exited the automobile business in 1924. The radiator emblem has a white center with blue rim decorated by gold leaves. The center of the badge reads “GRAY/DORT” in blue, the rim reads “CHATHAM, ONTARIO” in gold.
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
Object Name
emblem, radiator
Other Terms
emblem, radiator; Road; Automobile
ID Number
TR.325528.118
accession number
260303
catalog number
325528.118
Credit Line
Hubert G. Larson
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Radiator Emblems
Transportation
Road Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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