Pentastar emblem question

[bakerhillpins]

Ok, so another emblem on a Charger question.

I was under the impression that Chargers were to have a little Pentastar emblem behind the front wheel on the lower portion of the front quarter panel. (on both sides) Am I correct?

[68X426]

Yes. First used on 1963 models. Chargers should have one.

[moparstuart]

only on the passenger side

[bakerhillpins]

only on the passenger side

Really? Why in the world would they only put it on one side. 

[68X426]

So that when you flew by the Fords and Chevys in the left passing lane they could identify you by the blur of the gold pentastar.

[bakerhillpins]

So that when you flew by the Fords and Chevys in the left passing lane they could identify you by the blur of the gold pentastar.

Ill buy that for a dollar! 

[WINGMAN]

  Each section of the star represented one of Ma Mopars car lines, Dodge, plymouth, chrysler, Desoto, Imperial.

[Brock Samson]

  Each section of the star represented one of Ma Mopars car lines, Dodge, plymouth, chrysler, Desoto, Imperial.

Yes. First used on 1963 models. Chargers should have one.

  Wasn't Desoto already defunkt by '63?.. is so - the the one point for each brand doesn't match up... 

[TK73]

 Each section of the star represented one of Ma Mopars car lines, Dodge, plymouth, chrysler, Desoto, Imperial.

Nope... just a design that worked

http://www.allpar.com/history/logos.html

[FastbackJon]

It was so people walking down the street could see it when the car was parked.

[Back N Black]

Here is a link to the correct measurements.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,3651.0.html

[chargerjy9]

I believe that the emblem was used till 1972 on the Charger

[W4ATL]

A former Chrysler service shop technician told me that the emblem told the service shop that the car was under the 5yr/50,000 mile warranty. If they saw the emblem on the outside it was under the warranty. Not sure if it is true or not.

[bakerhillpins]

Thanks guys. Learned something new!

Still seems really odd to only put it on one side of the car??

[moparstuart]

Thanks guys. Learned something new!

Still seems really odd to only put it on one side of the car??

you see alot of cars restored in the late 70's and 80's  by brand x expert shops , with the penestar on both sides .  

[Khyron]

It was so people walking down the street could see it when the car was parked.

Thats what I heard also....

BTW: I got luck and scored an original metal one.... not putting the plastic one on mine now
swap meet, payed $3

[Nacho-RT74]

reason for the passenger side only is because when the car parked at a side of the street, you won't be able to notice the one on driver side being too close for it, just on the opposite side of the street on the long view

[bakerhillpins]

It was so people walking down the street could see it when the car was parked.

Thats what I heard also....

BTW: I got luck and scored an original metal one.... not putting the plastic one on mine now
swap meet, payed $3

So did they put it on the "other side" when it was exported to right hand drive countries? 

[41husk]

I don't know if this is true but I was told years ago that it was like an artist signature on the bottom of a painting.  True or not I must agree they are a work of art

[68X426]

From the designer of the Pentastar, posted at the Chrysler Blog:

Birth of the Pentastar
by Robert Stanley
August 7, 2007 7:38 AM
(Robert Stanley is the creator of the orignial Pentastar)

"It was 1962 when then-Chrysler president Lynn Townsend wanted a new corporate symbol to represent all of the corporation's brands. It had to be a symbol with a strong, classic look, instantly recognizable and universal. Wherever you were, in whatever country, that symbol had to say "Chrysler."

I was a vice president and Chrysler account executive at Lippincott & Margulies, the design firm charged with coming up with the symbol. We wanted something simple, a classic, dynamic but stable shape for a mark that would lend itself to a highly designed, styled product. What that meant, basically, was a classic geometric form.

We wanted something that was not stolid. That's the reason that we broke up the pentagonal form that became the Pentastar. It provides a certain tension and a dynamic quality. One of the execs called me up and asked, "What do I call this thing?" And I said, "Call it the Pentastar." That's where the name came from.

In 1962, the Pentastar logo began appearing on the right front quarter panel of Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles. That was also the year comedian Bob Hope strutted onto the stage in front of the Pentastar at the beginning of his weekly TV show "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre."

Soon the Pentastar was put to work as a hood ornament, particularly in the 1980s. It also appeared at the top of dealership signs, office stationary, annual reports, the headquarters building ... just about anywhere and everywhere. Even after the merger with Daimler, it was used on the glass of Chrysler brand products. Look in the lower right corner and there you'll see it, right on the glass. I'm pleased the Pentastar will continue to symbolize The New Chrysler."

No statement as to why only the right side. I'd like to think it will remain a mystery.

[Brock Samson]

 Good research! I think that using it on one side increased the Corps. profit margin... 

[BigBlackDodge]

Swiped this from Wiki.....

The Pentastar logo was placed on the lower passenger-side fender of all Chrysler products, including non-US brands, from 1963 into the 1972 model year. It was placed on the passenger-side fender so it could be viewed by passers-by, a subtle method of getting the symbol ingrained in the public's mind: a nameplate has to be read, but a symbol is quickly recognizable without reading. Thus left-hand drive cars had the Pentastar on the right fender, while right-hand drive cars had it on the left. Starting in the 1980s, hood ornaments on Chrysler-brand vehicles used a gem-like version of the pentastar to signify the brand's upscale status.



BBD

[68X426]

so it could be viewed by passers-by, a subtle method of getting the symbol ingrained in the public's mind

Like I said.

So that when you flew by the Fords and Chevys in the left passing lane they could identify you by the blur of the gold pentastar.

And y'all thought I was joking.

[Chatt69chgr]

Hmmmm!.  I havn't removed mine yet for the restoration work on the body but I can state that it is only located on the passenger side and my car has never been restored.  I didn't realize that the original emblem was metal.  I think the one I bought for the restoration was plastic.  And I think I recall that it's gold colored.  Seems like the gold has worn off of the original on my car.  Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for a nice metal one at the junkyard.  I bet the retaining clip is not easily accessible. 

[Khyron]

if you remove the mud shield it's right there