Historic 17-Badge Collection with W108 Grille
This rare display features a historic collection of 17 vintage automotive badges mounted on an original W108 grille removed from a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5. The assembly was previously displayed at The Zimmerman Museum in El Segundo, California prior to its closing. Each badge was sourced directly from the museum by the seller and represents an international assortment of automotive clubs, motoring events, national emblems, and motorsport history.
A metal mounting bracket has been attached to the rear of the grille, allowing the piece to be safely hung as wall art or displayed standing. The grille itself is original chrome W108 equipment, and the full badge collection offers an eclectic blend of enamel, brass, and cast metal craftsmanship spanning multiple decades and countries.
This is a museum-origin collection, assembled and displayed as a curated historical exhibit. Badge collectors, motorsport historians, and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts will find this a unique and highly displayable piece.
Badges Included in the Collection
Below is the full list of the 17 mounted badges, including condition notes and measurements as reported by the seller.
1. One Lap of America for RMCC Badge
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Size: 3″ diameter
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Condition: Collector-grade; excellent enamel and finish
2. Rotterdam Badge
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Size: 1¾” × 2¼”
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Condition: Collector-grade
3. Paris–Dakar Rally “Isuzu Trooper Champion ’94” Badge
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Size: 3¼” diameter
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Condition: Shows enamel wear; features Eiffel Tower and desert rider motif
4. Royal Automobile Club of Canada Badge
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Material: Cast brass
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Condition: Moderate wear; sections of enamel missing
5. Deutschland Flag Badge
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Size: 3″ × 2¼”
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Condition: Light wear; small enamel chip
6. Bolivia Flag Badge
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Size: 2¾” × 2¼”
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Condition: Good; minor use marks
7. Upper Volta Flag Badge
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Size: 2¾” × 2½”
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Historical Note: Pre-1984, before the country was renamed Burkina Faso
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Condition: Good vintage example
8. Argentina Flag Badge – Light Blue Version
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Size: 2¾” × 2½”
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Condition: Some enamel loss; above-average presentation
9. French Flag Badge
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Size: 3″ × 2½”
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Condition: Light wear
10. Argentina Flag Badge – Dark Blue Version
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Size: 2¾” × 2½”
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Condition: Good overall
11. Gulf Daytona Badge
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Size: 2½” wide
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Condition: Strong coloration; well preserved
12. Gulf Research Racing Company Badge
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Condition: Good condition with vibrant enamel
13. Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Badge
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Size: 4¼” wide
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Condition: Very good; classic blue-and-silver crest
14. International 1000 Rally Silver Anniversary MG Club Badge
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Size: 1¾” × 3″
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Condition: Light wear
15. Montserrat Badge
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Size: 2″ × 3″
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Material: Cast brass
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Condition: Missing enamel; blue and white base colors visible
16. Switzerland Badge
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Size: 4″
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Condition: Good; bright red with white Swiss cross
17. (Final Badge Confirmed in Count)
The arrangement includes all seventeen badges mounted as displayed at the museum; exact positioning matches the original Zimmerman exhibit layout.
Grille Details
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Model: Original Mercedes-Benz W108 grille
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Vehicle Origin: 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5
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Finish: Chrome
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Display Setup: Rear bracket installed for hanging/vertical mounting
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Condition: Presents well for display; consistent with age
Additional Notes
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All badges were museum-displayed pieces with natural patina from age and handling.
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No major structural damage reported on any badge.
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The collection is offered exactly as originally mounted and curated.
This is a museum-sourced, multi-national badge collection displayed on an authentic W108 grille—an uncommon and highly decorative piece suitable for garages, collections, offices, or automotive exhibits.
Kevin Barbier (verified owner) –
J’ai reçu un pack pare-chocs Mercedes et il a l’air tout droit sorti de l’usine car amgcarpartsforsale fait un excellent travail de sélection et mon mécanicien a mis moins d’une heure pour l’installer.
Loic Aubert (verified owner) –
Aile Audi commandée sur amgcarpartsforsale avec un ajustement parfait, la qualité du métal est excellente et le carrossier a été impressionné par la finition.
Esteban Martínez (verified owner) –
El sistema de frenos Mercedes de amgcarpartsforsale es muy confiable y detiene el pesado sedán con facilidad, sin ruidos y con una gran suavidad cada vez que toco el pedal del freno.
Philippe Paris (verified owner) –
Le pack pare-chocs Audi a complètement transformé l’avant de mon véhicule et tout s’est aligné parfaitement grâce à amgcarpartsforsale qui fournit des matériaux durables avec une finition digne de l’origine.
Barry Pierce (verified owner) –
Mercedes M113K supercharged engine for my E55 AMG. Pulley and tune ready. No leaks and brutal power. Incredible value.
Neil Reeves (verified owner) –
The Porsche shock replacement brought back the sporty handling and amgcarpartsforsale shipped it out the very next day which was worth every single penny to get my car back to its original driving dynamics.
Guy Leroy (verified owner) –
Ces phares BMW sont nettement plus brillants que les originaux d’usine et amgcarpartsforsale est désormais ma référence car le câblage était prêt à l’emploi, rendant l’échange super rapide et facile à faire.
Alfredo González (verified owner) –
Las llantas Audi de amgcarpartsforsale están súper limpias y ruedan increíblemente suave en la autopista, siendo la mejor modificación que he hecho hasta ahora para mejorar tanto el estilo como el confort.
Santiago López (verified owner) –
Estos faros de Porsche de amgcarpartsforsale son una compra obligatoria porque los proyectores tienen una línea de corte nítida y conducir de noche es finalmente seguro y agradable al poder ver el camino con claridad.
Iván Rojas (verified owner) –
Estos faros de Mercedes de amgcarpartsforsale se ven increíbles y le dan al coche un aspecto mucho más agresivo mientras que la visibilidad ha mejorado enormemente al conducir con mal tiempo.
Brandon Newman (verified owner) –
Porsche 993 rear fender. Rust-free and straight. Hard to find but amgcarpartsforsale had it. Perfect for my air-cooled build.
Cassandra Bates (verified owner) –
ZF 8HP transmission for my BMW 340i. Shifts like butter and no harshness. Programming was easy. Best price online.
Clifford Porter (verified owner) –
I bought a set of Porsche wheels from amgcarpartsforsale and they completely changed the aesthetic of my 911 being very lightweight with an absolutely gorgeous finish that catches the light perfectly at every angle.
Marc Lefort (verified owner) –
La boîte de vitesses BMW a totalement résolu mes problèmes de grincement et amgcarpartsforsale avait précisément la référence dont j’avais besoin pour restaurer l’intégralité de la transmission de mon véhicule.
Brandon Newman (verified owner) –
Mercedes AMG gearbox for my SL63. No conductor plate errors. Shifts are aggressive when needed. Very satisfied.
Kevin Barbier (verified owner) –
La boîte de vitesses Porsche est incroyablement précise et amgcarpartsforsale est le seul site en qui j’ai confiance pour ma 911 en raison de leur expédition rapide et de la qualité irréprochable des pièces.
Denis Faure (verified owner) –
Aile Audi commandée sur amgcarpartsforsale avec un ajustement parfait, la qualité du métal est excellente et le carrossier a été impressionné par la finition.
Nicolas Laurent (verified owner) –
Système de freinage Mercedes acheté sur amgcarpartsforsale offrant une puissance de freinage impressionnante, l’installation était rapide et la qualité est vraiment professionnelle.
Mitchell Payne (verified owner) –
Porsche 9A1 engine for my Cayman S. No bore scoring and dry as a bone. Mid-engine swap went perfectly. Will buy again.
Adrián Herrera (verified owner) –
Recibí un paquete de parachoques para Mercedes y parece recién salido de fábrica porque amgcarpartsforsale hace un gran trabajo seleccionando piezas, mi mecánico tardó menos de una hora en instalar todo en el chasis.