United Motors Service Neon Sign – NS6385
“United for Service — Whenever You Drive”
This monumental United Motors Service neon sign recalls the age when America discovered the freedom of the open road.
Across its original blue-painted face, the outline of the continental United States is illuminated in white neon. A sweeping yellow directional arrow announces “Our Guide,” while the period United Motors Service emblem glows in red and blue at the center. The message below — “Whenever You Drive” — promised motorists that dependable service and replacement parts could be found throughout the country.
Description
Extremely Rare Original American Automotive Advertising
Circa 1930–1945
Original painted steel sign with preserved historic finish, hand-bent neon, and H.J. Nick museum-quality electrical restoration.
United Motors Corporation was established during the formative years of America’s automobile industry. It became part of General Motors in 1918 and operated as United Motors Service, supplying and servicing electrical, mechanical, lighting, bearing, and automotive components through a nationwide network. The company’s history ultimately became part of today’s AC Delco organization.
Based upon the United Motors oval automobile emblem, typography, painted-steel construction, and elaborate neon layout, I would conservatively date this example to approximately 1935–1945. Similar United Motors porcelain and neon advertising has been cataloged by major auction houses as dating from the 1930s and 1940s. An exact manufacturing year should remain listed as unconfirmed unless additional records or a dated maker’s plate are discovered.
From the photographs, the graphics remain remarkably complete and readable. The central emblem retains strong orange color, the painted lettering remains clear, and the sign presents equally well illuminated or turned off. The natural finish is especially attractive because it has not been over-restored.
H.J. Nick-World Class Museum-Quality Conservation Restoration
At ArtFactory.com, an original historic sign is not stripped and made to look new. The purpose of the restoration is to make the sign safe, reliable, and fully operational while preserving everything that establishes its authenticity.
The original painted face, graphics, lettering, metalwork, age, and
Specifications
United Motors Service Neon Sign
- Type: Original painted steel sign, naturally aged blue background paint
- Era: 1930-1945
- Company: United Motors Corporation
- Country Of Manufacture: U.S.A.
- Condition: Preserved original face, lettering, graphics, paint, age, and patina
- Neon Details: The white outline of the United States, yellow arrow, red central emblem, blue accent lighting, and large upper lettering give the sign exceptional presence when illuminated, multi-color, hand-bent neon.
- Construction: Single-sided painted steel sign and original metal housing.
- Dimensions: 60 inches wide × 36 inches tall, Weight: 63 pounds
- Original lettering and United States map graphic
- Original United Motors Service center emblem
- Honest oxidation, fading, staining, scratches, and surface wear
- Surviving Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union No. 103 badge
- These marks are not defects to be concealed. They are evidence of age, outdoor commercial use, and survival. The wear gives this sign the authentic character that collectors expect from genuine roadside advertising.
- Neon Has Separate Toggle Pull Chord As Pictured So That The Sign Can Easily Be Switched On And Off With Out Unplugging.
- Comes with H.J. Nick exclusive “Fast Hanger Bar” Allowing a simple and easy way to hang straight and true every time.
patina were carefully retained. The electrical system was professionally restored, including new wiring and modern solid-state transformers. Damaged or missing neon tubing was replaced only where necessary.
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ArtFactory.com & H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification Details
The H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification ensures each piece to be truly genuine. Backed by our over a century of experience, with our word is our bond reputation and guarantee or your money back “forever". The H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification makes this item one of the highest appreciating, collectible investments that you can make. These items can be insured at stated value, usually on your home owners policy, for little added premium. Thus, making this a safer investment than even those insured by the FDIC, is much more fun to own, and puts you in control instead of the bank.
United Motors Service Neon Sign Info
All Vintage Memorabilia Offered Is A Genuine Collectable And Appreciable Asset
All Items Are Of Highest Museum Quality World Class Collector Level
101-Point H.J. Nick / Artfactory.com Certified Restoration
This piece has undergone a complete, no-compromise restoration under the direction of Master Builder H.J. Nick, following strict museum standards.
Replacement glass was individually heated, hand-bent, and hand-blown by skilled neon craftsmen using the traditional methods associated with the sign’s original era. The original tube patterns and historic color arrangement were followed so the completed sign would illuminate as its designers intended.
The finished restoration includes:
- Preserved original painted steel advertising face
- Preserved original housing and naturally aged metal finish
- Rebuilt and updated electrical system
- New solid-state transformers
- New wiring, connections, and required mounting components
- Select replacement neon, hand-formed in period-correct patterns
- Operational testing of every illuminated section
- H.J. Nick restoration identification plate
- ArtFactory.com documentation and certification
This is a conservation restoration, not a reproduction. The historic object remains visibly old and authentic while the electrical components necessary for dependable display have been professionally renewed.
Collector Assessment
This is an unusually important United Motors Service sign because of its substantial 60-inch size, complex neon composition, nationwide map design, original painted surface, surviving union badge, and strong visual presentation.
Authenticity: The face, graphics, metalwork, paint, and patina appear genuinely old and consistent with commercial sign construction of the period.
Rarity: Most surviving United Motors neon signs are considerably smaller oval or rectangular dealership signs. This large national-map presentation is far more elaborate than commonly encountered examples.
Display value: The white outline of the United States, yellow arrow, red central emblem, blue accent lighting, and large upper lettering give the sign exceptional presence when illuminated.
Documented restoration: The H.J. Nick and ArtFactory.com identification provides a permanent record of the professional conservation and electrical restoration.
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