A traditional radiator cap, with a gauge on top, let drivers know how hot things were getting.
In the earliest days of auto design, radiator caps mounted on the front of the car featured thermometers allowing drivers to know if the engine was overheating. Drivers and automakers soon started decorating those caps with designs, emblems, and mascots. By the 1920s, car companies were outfitting their models with small three-dimensional metallic designs to convey the car’s style and spirt. The decorative hood ornament was born.
Each new era of ornament design reflected the art of the period—perhaps none more iconic than the Art Deco design of the Pierce-Arrow and the archer on its hood. Other notable designs include Pontiac’s Indian head and Rolls-Royce’s “Spirit of Ecstasy.”
This original hood ornament from a 1933 Pierce-Arrow has a Buy-It-Now price of $2,250.
The 1955 Chevy hood ”bird” emblem predicted what would come in future years.
The Lincoln ornament resembles a crosshairs.
Of course, the space age of the 1950s brought aeronautical themes. Lincoln’s ornament is commonly thought to represent a bomber’s sights. The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hood emblem also utilized a 1950s high-tech theme, often referred to as hood rockets. From twin bulges in the hood rose rod-shaped curves that terminated with a chromed bullet-shaped rocket. It was an iconic look that surprisingly only lasted for a year. Still, the hood-rocket design remains popular on custom cars, such as the 1972 Chevy truck we saw at this year’s SEMA.
The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air had twin bulges in the hood, ending with twin hood rockets.
In 1968, national safety regulators mandated spring-loaded emblems to minimize injuries to pedestrians—a step that European regulators implemented in 1974. That’s when many automakers started moving emblems from the hood to the grille.
But that hasn’t stopped auto enthusiast from decorating their rides with all kinds of hood ornaments—and industrial-design fans from admiring and collecting the small beautiful sculptures that adorn our cars. The dazzling selection of hood ornaments available on eBay provide a great opportunity to start your collection.
See Automobile Hood Ornaments for sale on eBay.
