This radiator emblem belonged to a Gray automobile that was manufactured by the Gray Motor Corporation of Detroit, Michigan from 1922 until 1926. The Gray attempted to compete with the Model T at the $500 price point, and sold itself on fuel economy. A San Francisco to New York trip was overseen by an American Automobile Association representative, and the car averaged 33.8 miles per gallon. The radiator emblem has a white enamel background, with a cursive “Gray” in blue, the bottom of the “y” is swoops underneath and bears the text “Motor Corporation Detroit” in gold lettering.
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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