Old Car Hood Ornaments

AKTransAM · 28th January 2024, 11:16

Honestly wasn't sure which forum to post this in, since it doesn't fit neatly into any category-both Indian and international cars would fit here. What's your favorite old (or newer) car emblem? I've always been partial to older cars (the ones that predated the mid 60's muscle cars even) since they had some seriously well crafted and artistic hood emblems that just aren't seen anymore (and haven't been seen in decades).

I'm a Pontiac guy, so obviously partial to that brand. I found this at the Portland Auto Swap Meet in 2022 buried in a bunch of random old Pontiac and Chevy stuff on a table and jumped on it. The Chief Pontiac Amber backlit 1954 Pontiac Star Chief hood emblem (that would be backlit when the headlights were turned on). It was completely intact when I found it, right down to the mounting bolts. I decided not to polish it, but leave him as is since he's survived for 70 years, scarred but still around and intact. I did put him up on a mounting stand and backlight him with LED bulbs (3rd pic).

Backlit with LEDs

DicKy · 29th January 2024, 12:57

Car hood ornaments have been rare on new cars since the millenium, only surviving in the aftermarket and the super expensive segments. Newer safety regulations and cab forward designs haven't helped exactly.

Can't go back to really old (40s,50s,60s) cars, but can definitely say for those cars that I grew up seeing.

Toyota Crown and Cressida (Mark II) hood emblems.

Old Car Hood Ornaments-toyota-cressida.jpg

Cadillac hood emblem. Compared to the Lincoln's minimalistic one, this one screamed.. well... Cadillacy

All the above are flat/ one dimensional ones. Have soft corners for only a couple of three dimensional ones. The leaping Jaguar and the Spirit of Ecstasy. But then again, it is because I like the Jaguar symbol, but not on the hood and I like the Spirit of Ecstasy because it is of Rolls Royce, not the design per se.

And last, but not the least. The evergreen. The symbol of power and authority. The symbol of infamy. The target to mow down the proletariats.

28th January 2024, 11:16	#1
AKTransAM BHPian Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Juneau Posts: 135 Thanked: 1,237 Times	Old Car Hood Ornaments Honestly wasn't sure which forum to post this in, since it doesn't fit neatly into any category-both Indian and international cars would fit here. What's your favorite old (or newer) car emblem? I've always been partial to older cars (the ones that predated the mid 60's muscle cars even) since they had some seriously well crafted and artistic hood emblems that just aren't seen anymore (and haven't been seen in decades). I'm a Pontiac guy, so obviously partial to that brand. I found this at the Portland Auto Swap Meet in 2022 buried in a bunch of random old Pontiac and Chevy stuff on a table and jumped on it. The Chief Pontiac Amber backlit 1954 Pontiac Star Chief hood emblem (that would be backlit when the headlights were turned on). It was completely intact when I found it, right down to the mounting bolts. I decided not to polish it, but leave him as is since he's survived for 70 years, scarred but still around and intact. I did put him up on a mounting stand and backlight him with LED bulbs (3rd pic). Backlit with LEDs
	(11) Thanks

29th January 2024, 12:57	#2
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,389 Thanked: 15,263 Times	Re: Old Car Hood Ornaments Car hood ornaments have been rare on new cars since the millenium, only surviving in the aftermarket and the super expensive segments. Newer safety regulations and cab forward designs haven't helped exactly. Can't go back to really old (40s,50s,60s) cars, but can definitely say for those cars that I grew up seeing. Toyota Crown and Cressida (Mark II) hood emblems. Cadillac hood emblem. Compared to the Lincoln's minimalistic one, this one screamed.. well... Cadillacy All the above are flat/ one dimensional ones. Have soft corners for only a couple of three dimensional ones. The leaping Jaguar and the Spirit of Ecstasy. But then again, it is because I like the Jaguar symbol, but not on the hood and I like the Spirit of Ecstasy because it is of Rolls Royce, not the design per se. And last, but not the least. The evergreen. The symbol of power and authority. The symbol of infamy. The target to mow down the proletariats.
	(3) Thanks