Shortly following our startup in April 2005, John Ellis came up with the logo design. We were looking for something that was unique (that had commonality as to features) and I think John came up with the idea that the grill and headlights were a unique feature to these cars, representing both the pre-war and post war era. As you know, the 220 just has the headlights embedded into the fenders, a style that MB went to around 1953 with the introduction of the 300 series and 180 ponton....
The problem with the current logo, as John and I have discussed, is that because of the detail in the grill, making a badge would present challenges. In the 300 group that I started in 1999, we made our first badge shortly thereafter using the entire 300 car. I had the badge made with the same vendor that jeff Miller used for the ponton group badge (and coicidentally, a vendor just 1 mile from my house in Colorado). I have been over to his house and spoken with him on a number of occassions....he is the same vendor that did our second 300 badge around 2004. We also had pins and patches made as well.
We then decided it might be cool to sequentially number the badges on the back (i.e. 5 of 250) making them more rare (I had my badge gold plated to make it even more unqiue).
I've introduced the badge and logo concept a number of times....but alas, we can't seem to come up with a preferred logo that would represent all cars we focus on. Our decisions have to be made based on a collective group....obviously the less people involved, the easier to reach a decision, but that decision must then be pallatable to others, otherwise you are shooting yourself in the foot and those unhappy with the design will not buy the badge....thus the price increases, etc.....
I also have an interest in finding a surname for these models (i.e fintails, pontons, adenauers....all seem to have embodied a surname characteristic of the cars)....
I realize there is "oldtimers" and and "oldies" as possible scenarios for a surname, but those examples are specific enough and encompass a myriad of models.
We certainly would entertain any suggestions for a logo.....and I would love to use it on the site, t-shirts, badges, etc....
It's not that we are difficult or too selective....there just hasn't been that many offerings of examples to use.
If we use a 170, then what about the 220s, and the 230's, etc.... Badges typically made for a group of 150 people will run around $28.50 each. there aren't enough members to have specific divisions (170, 200, cabs, etc......... in making a badge, the larger the order, the lower the cost.....so you can't have 6 people wanting a 220 badge, the price would be high....and what about the cab owners....they might the cab as the representative car vs the sedan.... and it goes on and on.....in a full circle with no resolve.
This is why new member/subscribers always bring new ideas and suggestions to the forum....and keep lively....
Maybe we should just bite the bullet and use the prewar sedan complete as a representation of our group....since the prewar sedan started it all...it might have meaning. Lot easier to use a complete car than just some aspect....it won't have great detail....be will be recognizable apart from other MB models of later years. Any suggestions?
I'll sticky this so it remains at the top and maybe we'll get this resolved once and for all?
