Hood Ornaments Part 2

From the earliest days of the automobile, the hoods of many cars, especially luxurious models, were adorned with exquisite figurines. Hood ornaments are now largely a thing of the past, and several months ago I wrote a post celebrating this lost art. Today I bring you four more beautiful hood decorations.

2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Key West, FL

While simple, the Mercedes-Benz hood ornament has turned the logo into a icon. This example is seen on the bonnet of a 2013 S-Class sedan, and while the ornament is just the Merc emblem atop a small column, it screams luxury and authority. This legendary logo is now only found atop the flagship S-Class sedan. 

1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI

The Bugatti Type 41 Royale debuted just as the Great Depression sent the world into financial ruin. Therefore, its already exclusive run of 25 units was cut to just six, and only three examples made it into the hands of owners. One of the three sold currently resides at the Henry Ford Museum, and it only makes sense that such a special car has such an unusual and intricate hood ornament. The grille of the Royale is topped with a elephant standing on its hind legs, trunk raised triumphantly in the air. This sends off an image of rarity and opulence, as well as power. This is one of the most unique and ornate hood ornaments of all time.

1935 Miller-Ford Indy 500 racer at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI

Surprisingly, back in the 1930's even Indy 500 competitors had hood ornaments. Unfortunately this Miller-Ford never ended up being raced at Indianapolis, despite the team's best efforts. However, it does feature an elegant version of Ford's 1930's V8 hood ornament. I've always liked the way Ford sandwiched the 8 between the arms of the V, and the wing flowing backwards conveys a sense of speed--perfect for a race car.

Jaguar S-Type in Key West, FL

Another one of the most recognizable hood ornaments are perched on the hoods of Jaguars. Seen here on a S-Type, the jaguar is springing forward, its muscular haunches and lean physique bristling with energy. With a ferocious scowl and piercing eyes the predator strikes fear in the hearts of surrounding drivers.

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.