This radiator emblem belonged to a Bimel Automobile that was manufactured by the Bimel Automobile Company of Sidney, Ohio from 1916 until 1917. Like many automobile companies during this period, Bimel was originally a carriage manufacturer before venturing into the car business. The company only lasted for two years, producing the Elco 30 and the Bimel 4, before financial problems ruined the business. This circular emblem has a white background in the center with the text “BIMEL” in blue. The rim of the badge is blue, with silver lettering that reads “BIMEL AUTOMOBILE CO./SIDNEY, OHIO.”
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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