Automotive Zippos - The Big Three

From the 1920’s to the 1970’s, the Ford, General Motors , and  Chrysler were collectively referred to as The Big Three. It  pointed to a period In American automobile manufacturing when the three companies dominated automobile manufacturing.   

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General Motors, organized in 1908 by Billy Durant, today owns the - Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet,  GMC, Pontiac, Saturn and SAAB brands.

Chrysler was founded by Walter P Chrysler in 1924.  It owns the Chrysler,  Dodge, DeSoto, Plymouth brands.  In 1998 the Company merged with Daimler-Benz and brought the era of The Big Three to a close.

Ford started in 1903 by Henry Ford.  Today, the Company owns the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo brands. The Edsel was a Ford product.

1953 Zippo with  Cadillac logo.

Here is a group of Zippos with  Cadillac logos: a gold-filled 1959 Zippo; a 1961 Zippo with an attached emblem, and a 1962 Zippo with an engraved logo.

1963 Ben Geller Chevrolet Inc. "What Ben Says Ben Does".

1946-49 Zippo with the Chevrolet logo by  Clark Chevrolet Co. of Maplewood, New Jersey.

Here is a 1954-55 Zippo with a Cadillac logo superimposed on the image of a tank.  Cadillac began producing tanks during World War II.

A prototype 1946-49 brass Zippo with a Cadillac emblem on the front, "Cadillac" on the back.

1974 Zippo for  Harrison GM - Suggestion Award Winner.

This 1946-47 Zippo advertises Buick East Coast Motors, Inc.  The old Buick logo pre-dates the current tri-shield logo.  Carries the signature of Bunny Leushener (?) on the back.

1966 Zippo - Chevrolet Suggestion Plan 100% Club  - Metal Fabricating.

This 1953 General Motors Zippo has been engraved with the date July 7, 1953.  This is the date that the very first Corvette was produced.  The Corvette went on to become an American classic.

1946-49 loss-proof Zippo with an  Ford logo engraving.  The signature of Harry W. Roberts appears on the reverse.

1967 Ford Zippo for Harpeth Motor Company, Franklin Tennessee. Carries the image of R.C. (Junior) Alexander.

1953 Zippo for DeSoto and Plymouth Service Rosseau Bros., Fort Wayne, Indiana.

1949-50 Zippo with the Ford logo for Dana Hudelson, Inc., Champaign, Illinois.

1963 slim Zippo with a Town & Country hand-painted  Chevrolet logo advertises Draper Chevrolet Company in Saginaw - Bay City, Michigan.

1963 slim Zippo. A Good Rule - Go with Step-Van Chevrolet.

1954-55 Zippo for Dodge -  Distribuidora Oriental de Automoviles CA Maturin, Venezuela.

1964 Zippo advertising Airtemp - Climate Engineered by Chrysler Corp.

1955 Zippo with the Chevrolet logo celebrating the Buffalo Accountants Christmas Party.  How fun!

1956 Zippo celebrating Chrysler's  Year of Conquest.  Belonged to  R.R. Homrig.

1968 Zippo advertising Stoner Weapons Systems Medium Machine Gun Version on one side, the Cadillac Gage Commando armored car on the other. The Commando, or Osprey, used in the Vietnam War.

1977 Buick with the distinctive three-shield logo.

1975 Zippo with racing flags advertising the Chevrolet Corvette.

1955 Zippo advertising the Oldsmobile 88.  The back side has a figure Leon Potts "Yeah! I always used to be the low bidder".

1947-49 Pontiac Indian logo; the signature of Jessie Pheifer on the reverse.

1970 Zippo with the Buick Pontiac and Opel logos; advertises Anderson Motor Co. in Aurora, Missouri.

Early 1950 full-leather wrapped Zippo advertising Jim White, Your Chevrolet Dealer,  Note the old MA(in) 3141 telephone number.  The photos do not do this interesting lighter justice.