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Radiator Badge Design for the Birmingham

In the early 1920's my Grandfather worked for the Birmingham Motors Car Company (1921 - 1923) located in Jamestown, New York. The Birmingham was the first US production car to feature four-wheel independent suspension. I should be quick to point out that Birmingham Motors was not the only car company working on independent rear suspension at that time. As I understand it, another company had concurrently developed a similar suspension system and Birmingham Motors purchased the rights and patents for it from that company to ensure there would be no questions about who's design was on the Birmingham. I have a photo of that other car (the Cornelian?) from my Grandfather's personal photo album. The Birmingham Motors Offices were located in Jamestown, NY, but the factory was located in nearby Falconer, New York.

My Grandfather was in his early 20's when he worked for Birmingham Motors. He was one of their professional drivers who would put the car through its paces at demonstrations set up in various cities. My Grandfather's favorite demonstration was the Company's famous "Log Road" test. Company representatives would arrange to have a "Log Road" constructed, typically made from 6"x6" timbers that alternated on the left and right side of the "road" which my Grandfather would then drive over. My Grandfather's favorite gimmick was to light a cigarette before beginning his drive and then present the cigarette with an unbroken ash at the end of the test drive, thus demonstrating the Birmingham's smooth ride. I have seen clips from old movie news reels showing the Log Road tests, but I have not been able to locate one of those movie news reels myself. My Grandfather also gave rides to many dignitaries in the Birmingham including taking the first Miss America on a driving tour of Washington, D.C.

The company ran into legal trouble and successfully defended themselves in court, but in the end the cost of their defense and the stain on their image strained the Company's finances. The Company tried to survive by building a race car to enter in the races at Indianapolis, but they could not secure the financial backing to accomplish that and the Company was forced into bankruptcy. My understanding is that General Motors Corporation purchased Birmingham Motors Company assets and patents and the Company was shut down. One interesting side note is that I remember my Grandfather telling stories of how he drove a cab in Washington, D.C. after the company had shut down. He described his car as being a yellow Indy racer with leather straps over the engine hood. I don't know if this is the same car that was built for the races, but it is an interesting coincidence. For more information about Birmingham Motors and their financial troubles, please refer to the following web page link.

My Grandfather kept his Company catalog (brochure) and he also kept some promotional photographs which never made it into the catalog. When my Grandfather died that material passed on to my father, and they have since passed on to me. Over the years I have searched for any remaining trace of the Birmingham cars, but I have had little luck. The closest I have come was a message some years ago that "a woman in Florida" might be in possession of a Birmingham radiator badge, but nothing more. Since there is so little information to be found today about this car and company, I wish to share my Grandfather's items with automobile historians and general car buffs in memory of my Grandfather and his involvement with the Company. The badge image above is an enlargement from the front cover of the catalog. The catalog's cover appears to be made from the "Fabrikoid" material mentioned in the catalog. The loose promotional photographs are all 8"x10" glossy black and white photos. Some were used in the catalog, but most were not. I have also included two other photographs that were found separately in my Grandfather's personal photo album.

Please note that the story I relate above is based on memories of my Grandfather's stories and what little information I have been able to locate about the cars and the company. Corrections, clarifications and additional information will be most welcome. I retain all copyright (©) to the scanned images shared on this web site, but I give permission for their free use in private, public and educational settings. These images may not be used in for-profit applications or endeavors. When using these images, please acknowledge and refer back to this web site. Thank you.

In memory of my Grandfather, George Stewart Locke (1901 - 1984)