Label
UNITED MOTORS SERVICE
1930s porcelain enamel
Donated by Wayne and Yvonne Rowe
Restored by David Svenson with a generous donation from Toni Livingston & Pat Williams
From first glance one might assume this United Motors Service sign is just a simple service sign. Look closely and you will notice the pristine porcelain enamel dating back to 1930s. Porcelain enamel was not always used, but it was the most attractive due to its smooth, glossy finish. Maintenance of porcelain enamel is relatively easy as it can be wiped clean and does not wear away, unlike painted steel signs. Porcelain enamel is heavy duty and could withstand harsh weather. The only patina on this nearly perfect UM sign is the slight chipping around the edges, resulting in minimal rust. Atop the porcelain enamel an argon/mercury car with contrasting neon red animated wheels zooms away to get serviced. Amidst a sea of motionless neon signs, this speedy animated sign happens to be one of the rarest United Motors Services signs preserved.
United Motors was created by GM founder Billy Durant in 1916, bringing together 5 separate component manufacturers whose principle customer was GM. It became a part of General Motors in 1918. Its various component operations eventually were re-named and became part of other divisions, culminating with all component operations being put under Delphi, which spun off in 1999.