bamavettes

Was out of town all last week. I just happened to work it out so I could visit the NCM. I took a pic of the very first Corvette emblem. It was encased in glass. It was on the very first Corvette that was to be introduced at the Motorama in N.Y. in 1953.

This emblem had to be taken off and a new one designed and put on at the last minute.

Hope you can see the picture below.

1. How is this emblem different from all the ones on our Corvettes.

2. Why did this have to be changed at the last minute.

72vette

The orginal had the american flag on it but I can't remember why it had to be removed.

daniel77350

possibly they wanted to launch the car in foreign countries as well, so the american flag might not be the best idea(not for patriotic reasons, but for market reasons)...plus someone got an idea with a cool little french thing, and the chevy emblem. :jester

Daniel

ddn

It's because there's a law against using the American flag on a commercial product in that way. Probably can't trademark the American flag, in any way shape or form.


[Modified by ddn, 6:45 PM 2/17/2002]

Paul L

That is correct. The American flag is copyright against commercial application. The flag substituted was the fleur-de-lys of France in honour of Louis Chevrolet, a Frenchman and co-founder of Chevrolet.



Some background.
http://ky.essortment.com/louischevrolet_rdgn.htm



[Modified by paul79, 9:37 PM 2/17/2002]

67HEAVEN

Maybe someone realized that a 48-star flag might not be accurate for long! :jester

Paul L

Or that the copyright on the fleur-de-lys expired in 1748.

427V8

More than you ever wanted to know about the fleur-de-lys !

http://www.heraldica.org/topics/fdl.htm





[Modified by 427V8, 7:55 AM 2/18/2002]

Eddie 70

I believe Paul79 has it correct from what I remember about reading the sign at the museum.

bamavettes

You guys are good. You are correct with American Flag, and then no commercialism with the Flag.

This emblem one of only one. Wonder how much it would be worth.