American Auto Emblems

This web-site presents the nameplates, emblems and logos displayed on American auto vehicles from the introduction of the horseless carriage up to about 1950. My intention is to provide a reference base for collectors and researchers. I would welcome any corrections or observations and details of other emblems or vehicle makes to add to this reference base. For more details see the Pages listed on the right. (Contact Mike Shears at murraysbadges@gmail.com)

June 02, 2024

MARMON-HERRINGTON

Marmon-Herrington Inc. (1931-1963)
Indianapolis, Indiana

This is a Marmon-Herrington radiator emblem (1930's) mjs
Size: 56mm wide 29mm high MM: None

Marmon-Herrington was set up to make all-wheel-drive trucks, initially for military purposes. Production began in 1931 with an order for several four-wheel drive aircraft refueling trucks and this was followed by a variety of vehicles for the US and Persian armies. In 1932, Marmon-Herrington built their first all-wheel-drive truck and trailer combination and a 40-passenger articulated coach. In 1934, Marmon-Herrington offered a complete line of all-wheel-drive vehicles in five series. As Marmon-Herrington established their reputation, their business developed rapidly.

In 1935, Marmon-Herrington designed their first Ford all-wheel-drive conversion. This was successful and allowed the company to supplement its heavy duty line and military vehicle business by converting Ford trucks and pickups to special all-wheel-drive light and medium duty units. In 1937, Marmon-Herrington used a Ford conversion to produce a half track truck, which resulted in a successful business building armored cars, light tanks and other military vehicles for the armed forces through World War II.

After World War II, Marmon-Herrington branched out into two new fields; multi-stop delivery vans and passenger vehicles, including buses and trolley-buses. The vans had forward control and front-wheel-drive and were called Delivr-All (see Delivr-All), which were in production from 1945 to 1952. Marmon-Herrington also made around 1,500 trolley-buses between 1946 and 1955.

The company also built lightweight motor buses but both these and the trolley buses became unprofitable by the mid-1950's. In 1961, Marmon-Herrington won a contract to re-engine about 1,000 Greyhound buses but this was their last major piece of automotive work. Marmon-Herrington ceased production in 1963, apart from a single construction truck built in 1973.

A new Marmon truck range followed from 1963.

Emblems

Marmon-Herrington trucks and other vehicles, including military vehicles, displayed the "Marmon-Herrington" name on painted nameplates mounted on the hood sides and, in some cases, on the front of the vehicle, as can be seen in the following examples. The same Marmon-Herrington nameplate was used at least into the 1950's.

Marmon-Herrington truck with hood side nameplate (1930's)
justoldtrucks

Marmon-Herrington 6x6 tractor with hood side nameplate & radiator grille emblem (1932) pinterest

Marmon-Herrington track laying vehicle with front nameplate (1938)

Marmon-Herrington trolley (1949) steve morgan

Marmon-Herrington trolley bus front nameplate (1949)

This is the Marmon-Herrington nameplate shown below:

This is a Marmon-Herrington nameplate (1932-c1950) mjs
Size: 520mm wide 38mm high

The following black enamel Marmon-Herrington radiator emblem is also shown above at the top of this post. I do not have a confirmed date of use for this emblem but I believe this to be in the 1930's. This Marmon-Herrington radiator emblem is rare.

This is a Marmon-Herrington radiator emblem (1930's) mjs
Size: 56mm wide 29mm high MM: None

Marmon-Herrington Ford conversions carried the regular Ford emblems but also displayed the "Marmon-Herrington" name on a black painted emblem mounted on the sides of the hood or the body. The first Marmon-Herrington conversions used an inverted triangular shaped nameplate, see examples shown below: