VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 Chevrolet emblem

My 1916 490 had a Chevrolet bowtie emblem on it for over 40 years. I think it was on there when I bought the car 40 plus years ago. Took it to Memorial day car show 2 miles from my home and when we arrived at the car show it was gone. Looked in The Filling station and it shows the one I had for 1918 up. So what is correct emblem for 1916?People thought it was a Model T. I looked up photos on internet for 1916 490s and they show the boetie.

I thought that the very early 490's had the emblem hand painted on the radiator shell.

I have my 490 in pieces, it was built in 1918, the back of the emblem shows Bastian Bros Co. Roch NY, Pat May 8,1917. I initially thought the '16 was the same but now not sure.

It is my understanding the 1916 490 did indeed have a painted emblem. My 1918 has a cloisonne emblem. Haven't taken it off to check the back.

Hi Ron, The 1916 490 Chevrolet radiator shell had a stencil painted bowtie and the blue was a lighter blue (almost a metallic colour) not like the badges and the surrounding boarder was Silver and not white at all. It was the same size as the cloisonné emblems and you could probably scan one into your computer to make the stencils to reproduce the correct painted radiator emblem for the 1916 Chev 490. The correct 1916 490 metal radiator shell has no holes or recess for the cloisonné bowtie emblem and is perfectly flat.

Thanks Twin4 for the information. I don't know how to do things like that on the computer so I will probably just get the one from the Filling Station. I wish someone made the correct one for the 1916.Not many know much about the 490 Chevys so it will probably be OK, not correct but it will do. With no badge people think its a Model T.I will have to epoxy it to the radiator shell. I don't know of anyone who can paint the emblem on for me.

I installed the emblem on my 32 with double faced tape that is used for trim moldings. It's been on for 18 years with no problems and I suspect if needed would be easier to remove than if installed with epoxy.

That's a good idea,thanks.

Hey Ron,
Sounds like the Filling Station is the way to go as the original stencil painted process is very time consuming and unless you have something to go by it makes the job so much harder.

Here in Australia I had the same problem with people thinking my 490 was a Model T F- - -, even with the correct badge on the shell and the Chev emblem in the Tail light lens. Over here we had kick plates that were placed on the valance panels to protect them and I was lucky enough to find an original set for the early 490 which also had the chev emblem on them so my little car now has a Chev emblem on the front back and each side to help the people that think every old car is a Model T. Dave

I am not against Model Ts I like all old cars but I want folks to know they are looking at a more rare car. I would love to have the painted emblem on my car but just isn't practical for me. I don't see any other option at this point.

One solution is to take a high resolution photo of an early Chevy emblem, take it to a sign maker, and have them 'print' it onto magnetic sheet. I think you can have them size it so that the resulting printed bow tie would be the correct size.

Then, you could trim off the excess white sheet around the printed emblem and slap it on the radiator.

Cheers, Dean

I contacted a person who does toll painting and arts and crafts but she said she would not feel comfortable doing it. I may try someone else or someone who does pin striping.

You had a great idea Rustoholic,I have a friend who does lettering on trucks and cars and makes signs and banners. I printed out an exact picture of the bowtie emblem correct color and size and took it to him. He didn't have time to hand paint the emblem as he was in the process of moving. He has a process of printing an exact copy of the emblem on sticky vinyl. All I had to do was peel and stick it on. He says it is permanent . To me it looks like it was stenciled on.I had him make an extra just in case it does ever come off. They were 25.00 each and look great. He has the photo stored in his computer now so he can print more.

Glad you found a solution. ;-)

It would be great if you post a photo of the finished emblem on the radiator.

Thanks, Dean