Arnie Brown's Automobilia ~ Car badges, grill bages, patches and more!

"Keep The Tradition Alive"

Antique Cars with Grill Badges

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 (The Red Flag Act) This act was repealed in 1896 when the speed limit was raised to 14 mph.

The "Red Flag Act" was repealed after nearly two decades of strong support from horse interests.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 a car and show  pride in club membership.

Brass AA Badge

The start of it all: the original brass AA badge.

Our jewelry quality Car badges are a great way to dress up your car
and show pride in your club membership at the same time.

Car badges can be a significant source of income for a car club. The club buys the badges and then makes a profit by selling them to the members.
I sincerely believe we make the finest car badges in the world. Every badge is fully guaranteed against faulty workmanship and/or materials.

Our badges are 3 inches wide by a hefty 1/8 inch thick solid bright brass, and inlaid with cloisonne colors. They are coated with a clear coat of high gloss epoxy.
They are  impervious to  the elements and  will not dull, flake, or fade.

We also offer several finishes for your custom car badge: antiqued brass finish, 22 karat gold plated, chrome plated 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. Foreign sports 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.
 
We have become the car badge manufacturer of choice of most automobile clubs, motor clubs, fraternal orders  and golf clubs in the USA and Canada.

Please feel free to contact the following references. This is just a few of the many clubs for which we have made car badges. The contact persons' email address is listed on Hemming's Motor News web site


Alberta Land Rover Enthusiasts
Atlanta Jaguar Society   
British Car Club of Northeast PA   
British Sports Car Club, Ltd
Buick Club of America LA Chapter
Cadillac La Salle Club
Carolinas Austin-Healy
Chris-Craft Commander Club
Connecticut MG Club Ltd.
Corvette Club of America
Cragar Industries
Delorean Owners Club
Durant Car Club
Factory Five Racing
Gold Coast Touring Club
Grand Canyon Javelina - 100
Gulf Coast Model A Club
Gull Wing Group Int'l.
Hummer Happening
Jaguar Club of North America
Jaguar Owners North American
Liberty Motorsports
Long Island Packards
Mercedes 170-220 Club
MG's of Ohio
MG's of Baltimore, Ltd.
Mid Maine Sports Car Club
Minis On The Dragon
Morgan Sports Car Club
Mustang Club of Ohio
Mustang Owners Club SE Michigan
North American MGB Register
N. Florida British Motoring Club
North Georgia Jaguar Club
Northern California Corvettes
Northwest British Classics
Porsche 365 Club Inc.
Porsche 914 Club
S. E. British Motorcar Owners
Spyder Club
TD Replicas
Team Scionrg
Ten Year Lates
The Quail Motorsports Gathering
Thunderbird club
Town and Country Owners
Toyota - Scion
Vespastics Scooter Club
Vintage Automobile Touring Club
Vintage SAAB Club of N. America
Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Cars
                      

How To Order Car Badges

STEP 1: Choose a Design
You decide on the design. We require a $200 deposit to cover the cost of the artwork and mold for your sample badge.
This may be paid through PayPal or by check. If your logo is not suitable for a car badge, our artists will help you with
the design at no charge.

Feel free to email your questions, but no artwork will be done until we have received the $200.00 refundable deposit.
                              
We also need to know:

1. The size of the badges you want. (3 inches wide is standard, but we can make 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 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 refundable deposit 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.

 

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.


Photo of a clay imprint
(Photo of a clay imprint)


5) The clay imprint is reviewed by no less than three craftsmen.  (This is actually redundant but we will not stamp our hallmark onto anything that is less than perfect.)

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.

 

Photo of a rough polished badge
(Photo of a rough polished badge)

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.


Finished badge
Finished Badge

STEP 3: Purchasing

MINIMUM ORDER: 40 Badges

REQUIREMENTS: Artwork, colors, size, mounting method and any special instructions you may have. (An emailed copy of your logo or design. A high resolution "jpg." is preferred.)

PROCEDURE: When we receive your $200 refundable deposit,  we start a file and keep in close contact with you.Your questions are usually answered  the same day.

TIME REQUIRED: We can have an order in your hands within forty 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. Please pay by check. (There is a $200.00 limit for PayPal.)

SHIPPING: Please contact me for shipping arrangements. We will email the tracking number to you when the finished badges are shipped.


 We also make, jewelry quality, matching belt buckles, lapel pins and embroidered patches.

                                                      Your 100% satisfaction is always guaranteed

Any questions?


Please click here to email.
I'll try to answer right away.


There is a 40 badge minimum order

40 to 69 ..................$25.00 each
70 to 99 ..................$22.50 each
100 to 500 ...............$20.00 each

Please contact me for pricing on belt buckles, lapel pins and patches.
 

You may use PayPal for your initial $200.00 refundable deposit. For the balance, your check is welcome.

Arnold R. Brown
902 McLendon Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702

In God We Trust

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.