"Keep The Tradition Alive"
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Motoring had started in earnest in the early days of the 20th Century. It was natural for car owners to form themselves into clubs, and there were good reasons. The condition of the road was abysmal at best, and only by some form of united pressure could motorists hope for improvement. The main reason behind the formation of these early organizations was to make a stand against the antagonism shown to motorists by the public at large, the legislators and by the Police whose attitude was nothing short of outright hostility. This was particularly true in Great Britain, because in 1865, the Locomotives on Highways Act restricted mechanically propelled vehicles to a maximum speed of 5 mph on country roads and 2.5 mph in built-up areas. The act required three drivers for each vehicle. Two to travel in the vehicle and one to walk ahead carrying a red flag. (The Red Flag Act) This act was repealed in 1896 when the speed limit was raised to 14 mph.
The "Red Flag Act" was repealed after nearly two decades of strong support from horse interests. Horse-less vehicles were now free to travel faster than walking pace. The Royal Automobile Club was founded, and the first RAC London to Brighton run was held to celebrate the new era of speed. Car badges were introduced by the Automobile Association in March of 1906 to identify members and warn them of police speed traps up ahead. If the road was clear of police, the AA man would salute the driver if his vehicle displayed an AA badge. This practice was continued until the late 1960s. Car badges have made a comeback in recent years, and rapidly continue to become more popular as a way to dress up your car and show pride in your club membership.
The start of it all: the original brass AA badge. |
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We are proud to be the car/grille badge manufacturer of choice by most automobile clubs, private clubs and fraternal orders in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Our standard size is 3 inches wide by a hefty 1/8 inch thick solid bright brass, and inlaid with cloisonne colors. Each badge is coated with a clear coat of epoxy that make them impervious to the elements. They will not tarnish, dull, flake, or fade; Guaranteed.
We also offer several finishes for your custom car badge; including 22 karat gold, chrome, pewter, antique brass and many more. Cloisonne coloring on bright brass emblems were used on most cars until the 1940's. They continued to be used on some expensive American cars for several years. European sports and exotic cars still use them routinely. Cloisonne badges can be found on the radiator grille, headlight bars, side mounts, and in the interior as well. Cloisonne is also used in many types of jewelry. |
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We made this grille badge for the
"Queen's Own Yorkshire Yeomanry"
Royal Honorary General HRH The Prince of Wales
Photo taken November 20, 2009
How To Order Car Badges
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We also need to know: 1. The size of the badges you want. (3" wide is standard, but we can make just about any size.) 2. The preferred method of mounting the badge on the car. Bolt onto the grill , or the badge can be affixed elsewhere on the car with 3M automotive two sided tape that will not harm the finish if and when removed. 3. The colors you prefer. (Up to five colors without an additional charge.) Here is a PANTONE COLOR CHART. After we receive the $200.00 and know what you want, we will send you a computer generated drawing for your approval; before we make the mold. ( Please always check the spelling, font and graphics carefully. Molds will be made upon final approval of the artwork. Corrections after the mold is made may make it necessary to charge a new die fee.)
We will start the mold process to make your prototype when the artwork has your approval. This "prototype" is yours to keep. If you are not completely satisfied with the quality of our finished product, or you find the same to not be in accordance with the approved design, you may return the sample within 30 days for a full refund. |
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STEP 2: Manufacturing 1. The computer-generated drawing is fed onto our automated pattern cutter. This ensures that no discrepancy occurs between the approved design, and our engraver's artistic interpretation. What is drawn and submitted will be exactly what you get. 2. The approved design will be broken down to a computer-generated blueprint, this in turn will be used as a pattern for mold making.
3. Actual mold work begins. 4. A blank slab of a special clay is pressed against the negative. This creates an imprint of the final product.
5) The clay imprint is inspected by no less than three craftsmen.
6) The mold is de-burred and polished to ensure that no "noise" such as hairline cracks, dimples, and irregularities are transferred onto the finished product.
7) The finished and approved metal mold is heat-treated, a necessary step before it can be subjected to pressures of up to 50 tonnes per square inch. 8) The mold is again cleaned, polished, and checked for defects. 9) Once the mold passes our scrutiny, stamping begins. 10) Stamped brass pieces are cut to shape and de-burred. 11) Rough polishing is then done.
12) Finishing options such as coloring, electroplating, engraving, etc. are then applied. 13) Final polishing and cleaning is done at this time. 14) Each piece is checked for minute defects. Small errors that are nearly invisible to the naked eye are rectified. 15) Each finished badge is coated with a "clear coat" of high gloss epoxy for added protection from the elements.
STEP 3: Purchasing MINIMUM ORDER: 40 Badges PROCEDURE: When we receive your $200 mold charge, we start a file and keep in close contact with you by email.Your questions are usually answered the same day. TIME REQUIRED: We can have an order completed within thirty days. PLEASE NOTE: We often get requests to meet a certain deadline because of an upcoming club event. Although we have never missed a deadline, we can not be responsible for delays in delivery caused by canceled air flights, customs inspections, drug inspections, explosives checks, terrorist alerts, natural disasters, etc. PAYMENT: Payment in full is required with orders of 99 pieces or less. For orders of 100 or more, 50% is required with the order. The balance is due in full before delivery. Your personal check is welcome. (There is a $200.00 limit for PayPal.) |
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40 to 69 ..................$25.00 each
70 to 99 ..................$22.50 each
100 to 500 ...............$20.00 each
We have not increased our prices since 2007
Arnold R. Brown
902 McLendon Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702
240-581-1775
Motoring had started in earnest in the early days of the 20th. Century. It was natural for car owners to form themselves into clubs, and there were good reasons. The condition of the road was abysmal at best, and only by some form of united pressure could motorists hope for improvement.
The main reason behind the formation of these early organizations was to make a stand against the antagonism shown to motorists by the public at large, the legislators and by the Police whose attitude was nothing short of outright hostility.
This was particularly true in Great Britain, because in 1895, the Locomotives on Highways Act restricted mechanically propelled vehicles to a maximum speed of six kilometers(about 5 mph) per hour on country roads and three kilometers (about 2 mph) per hour in built-up areas.
Car badges were introduced by the Automobile Association in March, 1906 to identify members and warn them of police speed traps up ahead. If the road was clear of police, the AA man would salute the driver if his vehicle displayed an AA badge. The practice was continued until the late 1960s.
These carbadges are made with 1/8 inch thick bright brass, which is then plated with chrome, or 22 karat gold and is inlaid with cloisonne colors. Cloisonne is hard fired glass (it is really a true glass and not porcelain).
This kind of emblem was used on almost all cars until the 1940's. They continued to be used on some expensive American cars for several years. Foreign sports cars continue to use them routinely. Cloisonne carbadges can be found on the radiator grille, headlight bars, side mounts, and in the interior as well. Cloisonne is also found in many types of jewelry.
