ALLEN (2)

The Allen Motor Co. (1913-1922)

Fostoria & Columbus, Ohio

This is an Allen radiator emblem (1913-1915)       mjs
Size: 75mm wide 50mm high      MM: None

The Allen brothers had secured manufacturing plants in Fostoria and Columbus and production of the Allen began in 1913. The first Allen was a 27 hp four-cylinder car with a special full-floating rear axle and was offered as a five-passenger touring or a two-passenger roadster. Other models followed but from 1917 to 1920 there was no significant mechanical change or improvement in the Allen.

The Allen Motor Company was very active manufacturing for the US military during the First World War but was not paid until 1922. The Fostoria factory was sold in 1920 but production continued in Columbus.

A 37 hp Allen appeared in 1920 and in 1921 a range of new body colors was introduced. But it was too late. The Allen Motor Company was already in financial trouble and was finished in 1922.

Emblems

The first Allen cars displayed an oval radiator emblem finished in blue and white enamel, see example above at the top of this post. This Allen radiator emblem is very rare.

The Allen radiator emblem was changed in 1916 to a triangular emblem finished in blue and white enamel, see example below. This Allen radiator emblem is rare.

This is an Allen radiator emblem (1916-1919)      mjs
Size: 77mm wide 55mm high    MM: Unknown

The following Allen radiator emblem is a slight variation of the emblem shown above, differing only in the style of the letters, see the word "motor". This particular emblem is more curved to fit the radiator but otherwise has the same dimensions when flat.

This is an Allen radiator emblem (1916-1919)      mjs
Size: 77mm wide 50mm high      MM: Unknown

There is a red, white and blue enamel version of the Allen radiator emblem shown above, see example below:

This appears to be an Allen radiator emblem (date unknown)   kmc
Size:    MM: None

I am suspicious about this emblem. It does not appear in any early emblem collections that I have studied and I am not aware of this emblem being seen in used condition. It has a flat back and no maker's mark and may be a good quality reproduction emblem, but I cannot confirm this.

There was a red, white and blue Allen radiator emblem when production moved to Columbus, see example below. This Allen radiator emblem is scarce.

This is an Allen radiator emblem (1920-1922)       mjs
Size: 70mm wide 45mm high      MM: Unknown

The following Allen radiator emblem shows a different design. I have seen this Allen radiator emblem in used condition but in poor, damaged condition. The emblem shown below has a threaded stud on the back and appears to be an accurate reproduction. Original versions of this Allen radiator emblems with this design are scarce.

This is an Allen radiator emblem (1920-1922)     mjs
Size: 70mm wide 45mm high     MM: Unknown

If you can advise on the exact dates of use of the Allen radiator emblems shown above, please let me know in order to update this post.