Old dealership emblem, to keep or not to keep...

[RR Fan Dan]

Keep it.

 

[66ChargerHI-PO]

I too vote keep it

 

[66ChargerHI-PO]

As other members said its part of the cars history, looks cool and correct… and its somethin you can’t reproduce.

 

[Dave6T4]

Here's mine, and I consider it one of the crowning touches of mY 1964 Polara's restoration. I bought this car in 1980, and am the second owner of it. The car came with a crusty original sign, which I discarded at the first repaint. McManus Motors was one of the largest Chrysler/Dodge dealers in the London, Ontario area at the time, but is now no longer in business. I bought this car in London from the elderly gentleman who purchased it new. During my Dodge's recent restoration, I was lucky enough to buy this NOS sign from a former McManus employee.

 

[Jerry Hall]

I vote keep it. If it's restoreable, do it and reinstall. If not it's wall art, and documentation.

 

[CherryBomb]

Wow, thank you for the great responses! I will see what is possible for the emblem. It looks right at home with the current condition of the car, and will definitely be staying all the while it looks like this. I am not certain how well it would be able to be restored, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Worst case, I loved the idea of making it wall art in a frame with some info on the dealer.

I'll definitely reach out to them and ask what info they may have on it. Not holding my breath, but worth a shot.

 

[Coelacanth]

Restore it. Is it too big to make a cool, unique keychain out of it? There looks to be a hole through it below the fratzog logo.

 

[74ChargerSE440]

View attachment 1754618

The new (to me) '66 Charger has still got its metal dealership emblem on the trunk lid. For phase 1 of the project, where she still looks ratty on the outside but all the drivetrain and underpinnings are sorted, I am 100% keeping it on there. That said, when it is time for phase two which involves getting the body and paint perfect, I am less certain if I would keep it on the car as it will only be able to be cleaned up so much. What would you do?

Side note, I thought about reaching out to the dealership that sold the car with some photos as I believe they are still in business. They may find it neat, or they may not give a crap haha.

Keep it. What's the problem?

 

[busterb]

Keep it forever, painted or not. Makes the car look as delivered.

 

[CherryBomb]

Keep it. What's the problem?

View attachment 1762353View attachment 1762360

If it were the same size as yours and tucked in a nice spot like that it would be an easier choice. Its about 5x the size of your one, in worse condition, and directly below the emblem on the trunk lid haha.

 

[cosgig]

Maybe a call to Leanna at Phoenix Specialty Coatings? She can powder coat that emblem and have it looking right at home when the car is finally painted. So, I say put it back on.

The tag from the dealer my car came from. Not an emblem, but it’s staying, just like the air freshener that the original owner hung on the mirror. Yes, I’m a nut!

 

[Triplegreen500]

I say keep.

If you can't restore it, I'm sure it can be scanned and a replica 3D printed, and then chromed.

My wagon has an original sticker on it. I bought the car 20 years ago when I lived in Emmitsburg. I then moved to Walkersville...then Frederick...then Cascade. Three YEARS after I moved to Cascade, I realized (paid attention) - the car CAME FROM Cascade - the sticker says "Highfield-Cascade" which is how they used to refer to the area. Dealer is long gone, building is just a hoarders warehouse now, covered in "no trespassing" signs. If I ever get the car past the "roadkill" stage, it'll get a reproduction decal. Guaranteed.

 

[74ChargerSE440]

View attachment 1754618

The new (to me) '66 Charger has still got its metal dealership emblem on the trunk lid. For phase 1 of the project, where she still looks ratty on the outside but all the drivetrain and underpinnings are sorted, I am 100% keeping it on there. That said, when it is time for phase two which involves getting the body and paint perfect, I am less certain if I would keep it on the car as it will only be able to be cleaned up so much. What would you do?

Side note, I thought about reaching out to the dealership that sold the car with some photos as I believe they are still in business. They may find it neat, or they may not give a crap haha.

It's made out of pot metal I am quite sure of. You can sand it and it will shine like a diamand. I have done the same.

Attention: I glued 2 screw heads into the holes and put in on with 3M double sided tape.

Who still has the original dealer emblem on the decklid? What kind of alloy?

My emblem was in really rough shape (just like the car). My first thought was: rechrome, but after I start sanding the thick piece of some kind of alloy it began to shine and eventually it came to life. I started carefully with 40 grid and ended with 5000 grid :). It now 'shines like a diamond'...

www.forbbodiesonly.com

 

[Cranky]

My 64 Dart has a dealership emblem on it. The car still has the original paint which isn't the nicest looking stuff but the emblem isn't premo either. Don't know if the dealership is still in business or not. The 'store' my 66 Belvedere came from is still run by the family but no longer sells cars. It's now a full service garage but the name back then was Central Garage. Still have the window sticker and some other things but who does that with a /6 powered 2dr sedan!?

 

[Budnicks]

My humble opinion...since you asked.
Leave it off when you go and get the body and paint all shiny new and nice. The only exception might be if it looks really cool/unique design , is a 'famous' dealership or if it is local and has some 'meaning' to you. Otherwise, clean it up and keep it with the car, but don't reinstall it.

Pretty much my $0.02 cents too

 

[WileE]

Go back. Go back in time. Go back as if you were picking up the car when it was brand-spankin' new. What did you see on the back of the car as you first looked at it ? .............. That... is the answer to your question.