Artistic Photo #12

Citroen 2CV in Rome, Italy (Taken on August 11, 2015)

Hood Ornaments Part 1

I have always been obsessed with hood ornaments, and always daydream about them making a comeback. However, intricate designs like the ones below will most likely stay a thing of the past due to pedestrian safety standards. Here's a small collection of intriguing designs:

1928 Pierce-Arrow Series 81 Runabout in Alaska

 This dynamic archer appears on the hood of a 1928 Pierce-Arrow Series 81 Runabout. The connection to Pierce-Arrow's name is obvious, but what really makes this ornament stand out is the kneeling stance taken by the bowman, which adds a sense of movement and power to the car. The pointy tip of the arrow, however, means a design like this could never pass pedestrian safety test nowadays.

1936 Packard Dual-Cowl Convertible Touring in Alaska

 This graceful swan rests atop a 1936 Packard Dual-Cowl Convertible Touring 1408-973. Swans often adorned the hoods of Packards, and with its flat, upswept wings and curved neck, this bird is absolutely majestic.

1932 Chrysler Custom Imperial Series CL in Alaska

 While this leaping gazelle wouldn't look out of place on a 1950's Chevy Impala, it actually hails from a 1932 Chrysler Custom Imperial Series CL Convertible Sedan. The antelope's stretched body creates a streamlined look, as do the swept back antlers. But what really sticks out about this hood decoration is the set of wings extending upwards from the top of the grille. This is almost like a double-hood ornament, making the luxurious Imperial even more unique and exclusive.

1936 Hudson 65 Custom 8 Convertible at NYIAS

This hood ornament, from a 1936 Hudson 65 Custom 8 Convertible, is one of my all time favorites. While the majority of hood ornaments are made entirely of chrome, the Hudson mixes it up with the bullet-shaped, red, glass pod. Wings were a common sight in early cars, often thought to symbolize speed, like in the Aston Martin and Bentley logos. Little wings sprout out of the top of the pod, and, along with the way the grille continues onto the hood, exemplifies the obsession with streamlined design, started with the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, that was rampant throughout the 1930's.

Austin A30 in Rome

The Austin A30 is the only non-luxury vehicle in this post (it was a response to the Morris Minor compact car), and therefore its hood ornament is significantly simpler. However, the forward-leaning "A" and extremely straight lines of the wing create a visually pleasing ornament nonetheless.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II in Brooklyn

Rolls-Royce Ghost In Florida

1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in Florida

Perhaps the most famous car mascot, Rolls-Royce's "Spirit of Ecstasy" (pictured above on a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II) is the epitome of elegance. This woman still rests atop Rolls-Royce grilles, although on the Phantom she can retract into the hood.

Artistic Photo #3

Austin A30 in Rome, Italy (Taken on August 9, 2015)

Citroen DS3

The streets of Rome are filled with small, dinky hatchbacks. Smart Fortwos, Fiat Puntos, Dacia Sanderos, and Aixam Citys line the twisting alleys, tucked in the nooks and crannys next to a plethora of scooters and outdoor restaurant tables. Practicality and affordability seem to be more important than pizazz to the citizens of Rome. So although it is still a hatch, and not nearly as expensive as Italy's supercar options, the flashy Citroen DS3 stands out among the cheap Renault Twingos and Ford Fiestas which populate Rome's stradas.

The chrome horizontal strips, which incorporates the Citroen double-chevron, top a bold blacked-out grille. On either side of this athletic trapezoid intake are two sets of running lights chiseled into the bodywork. Closer to the grille are the more typically shaped circular fog lamps, while a fancier vertical LED strip sits nearer to the front wheels. The shallow indents leading into these sets of lights lend the DS3 an aggressive and more upscale appearance. However, the large headlights above make the Citroen look a bit bug-eyed, and could have been a lot sleeker. 

Leading back from the bulging headlights, black mirrors and a black roof cause the white paint to pop. A strong line through the door handles and a crease over the rear wheels add character to otherwise plain side body panels. The chrome oval spanning the bottom of the doors adds a touch of luxury. Finally, the incomplete B-pillar creates a stylish "floating" roof, which is especially impressive since this design element was about 5 years ahead of its time. The floating roof is now a major theme on Lexuses and Nissans. 

The rear features sharp, clean looking semi-square taillights, and a large chrome DS logo. The contrasting black roof adds to the sporty design while chrome coated exhaust contributes to the luxurious aura given off by this hatch. Overall, this French, chrome-laden hatchback stands out among the bland super-minis that surround it in Rome, and would stand out most anywhere in the world.

Grade

Front: A-

Back: A

Overall: A