I have an odd fascination with artful hood ornaments, and took some close-ups of favorites over the big Amelia Concours weekend.
But first: when did hood ornament become a dirty word? They previously epitomized the height of class and prestige — while often serving functional benefits as well.
Pierce-Arrow
As the top-mounted radiator cap in the early days of luxury cars, you know knew the cap was screwed on (and threaded) correctly when the symbol faced dead ahead.
(Ford)
One highlight you must wonder about right away is the life-sized Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy.
She is a 1940s art deco piece that was for sale by one of the smaller vendors at the show.
Deusenberg
AmilCar Pegasê
Bugatti
Bentley
Cadillac
An extremely accurate likeness — she even has one billowing sleeve that is a bit wider than the other. No human is perfect, or even perfectly symmetrical.
 
The detail in her face is at once serene, relaxed, but also poised to jump or leap into the unknown.
Together. With her driver.
This trait is shared by the one-time Cadillac leading lady.
I recall what most of these are, but a few are head-scratchers.
Hudson (I think)
Chrysler (I think)
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
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