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Catalog Data

Object Name:
emblem, radiator
Other Terms:
emblem, radiator; Road; Automobile
Description:
This radiator emblem belonged to a Rockne brand automobile that was manufactured by the Studebaker Corporation from 1932-1933. In 1931 Studebaker announced that Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne was going to become a sales promotion manager for Studebaker during his off-time from coaching. When Rockne died in 1931, his name was attached to the budget Studebaker automobile. The Rockne sold from $585 to $740 depending on the body style, with about 23,000 models produced during its year of manufacture. The emblem reads “Made/In” at the top of the badge with the text “R/O/C/K/N/E” in horizontal lettering down the emblem with “U.S.A” at the bottom.
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
Credit Line:
Hubert G. Larson
ID Number:
TR.325528.208
Accession number:
260303
Catalog number:
325528.208
See more items in:
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Radiator Emblems
Transportation
Road Transportation
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-7f8f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_840305