Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Hood ornament identification guide, if it ain't here, don't ask me. I don't know. NO, I am not going to identify your garage sale find, No, I don't know what your hood ornament is worth. Look on Ebay.



A lot of people find hood ornaments, and hope to identify them... and some see this guide and with all the items it has, it still doesn't have the one they need to figure out. Sorry! But I didn't make this... and it's good, but not as complete as it could be due to the person who made it probably ran out of resources.


the above image is the Gilmore Museum's display, looks like they have a complete collection, so try and sk them if you can't find what you're looking for

Marland has been taking photos of hood ornaments and was wise enough to caption the images (unlike most of my photos) with the year and model, so see his selection because it is awsome, at http://www.pbase.com/mgrove/hood_ornaments

a small sample of it is pictured below


you can also look through the photos and descriptions at http://janesclassiccarphotos.com/
and http://thecoincidentaldandy.blogspot.com/2011/01/emblems-of-speed-vintage-automobile.html

For all the rest of you who can't find a match to identify the radiator cap or hood ornament you have, and still want help, try the auto museums, which ever one you happen to live closest to. http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/if-you-are-looking-to-visit-car-museums.html has a list of the best I've heard of, and the links at the very end have the websites with EVERY car museum known.

So ask them, see if they can help. A lot of museums have collections of hood ornaments, the Nethercutt has an amazing collection. Try your library, and see if they have one of the many books made about hood ornaments.

Ken has a good selection of ornaments you won't see in the quick reference guide below at http://ken-thornton.com/mascots.html


and Jill has some beautiful photos of hood ornaments and you might find a match of what you are looking for in her large set of photos http://jill-reger.artistwebsites.com/art/all/hood+ornaments+and+emblems/all

If you find a better source of hood ornament and radiator cap identification, share that source with me and everyone in the future that tries to figure out what they have by emailing me at jbohjkl@yahoo.com or using the comment function.

If you can't get to the museums, or libraries, and are stuck with trying to research your item online, and nothing so far that I've written about, linked to, or posted here has helped, you can also try the "Old Car Manual Project" http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_54chevyparts/index.htm is just the link to the Chevy 1929-1954 stuff

I do wish every one of you the best of luck, and here I've done all I can to help you out. I seriously don't have anything left to offer, and unless you readers send me something to add that will help out other people, which will be posted immediately! I have nothing to give you if you email me asking for help. So I'll be annoyed and irritated with you if you email asking me to identify some object. You would be too after doing all of this to help, and it being ignored.







here's another look at the 46 Chevy, it's pretty cool






Just below these words in the upper left hand corner, spotted by sharp eyes of Dale Stephens, are the 1956 FENDER ornaments. So the maker of these posters has the wrong year and concept. They are fender, not hood, and 1956 Chev, not 1957. Thanks Dale!










I just took the photos of the 1950 through 1956 Fords, here's the link: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/04/hood-ornament-guide-ford-1950-to-1956.html





















The ornament you have listed as a 36 Pontiac is really a Western Auto copy of the Ornament designed for the Alvis.
















All of these incredible visual ID guide posters are from here: http://www.taillightking.com/Hood_Ornaments.htm




these 3 are from John who made Fifties50s blog... and now switched to http://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/fifties50s/posts

Thanks for the European guides John! 

96 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:25 AM

    Great post - I have never been able to identify cars from the 1940's and earlier...this will help. It's great to see the transformation of a hood ornament from year to year. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for this. I have an old photo of my Grandad's 1950 Ford 1/2 ton pickup that shows a hood ornament. I haven't found any other pictures of this truck with any sort of hood ornament. It appears that it was one of the swans from the Packards that he put on to customize the truck himself. I had no idea, and as a boy never thought to ask him about it. As a young man my brother and I thought about buying the truck when it was sold at the estate sale, and decided we'd have a tough time sharing it. I wish now we'd made the effort. Anyway, again, thanks for this wonderful resource.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awesome. I had seen the old Packard Swan ornament on a car before but never knew what type of car it was.:) now I know. Thanks for the post.:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Saw a hood ornament today on an old truck at McDonald in Harrisonburg, VA. I thought it was from a Hudson but it turned out to be from an 1948 Oldsmobile. Thanks to my wife for bringing the camera along, I was able to ID it accurately with the help of your awesome Blog!
    Thanks!
    Pete at adamshistory@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been looking for help IDing a heavy metal airplane that looks to be either a hood ornament or maybe a trophy top. I don't see it in any of these pictures, but was hoping you may be able to point me in the right direction. I can post a pic if you can help.
    Thanks!
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm having the same problem. It is really close to a few, especially the 50s Olds, but not a hit on it just yet. Good luck to you too!

      Delete
    2. Look, this is just the little bit of helpful id guides I could find, and links to other websites... I know it's only got the most common ones, and not the ones you need help with... but NO ONE has ever told me of a more complete online source of info to share with you and everyone else looking to ID their hood ornaments and mascots, so I have nothing else to share with you. 6 years, and no one has EVER told me of another place to send people so you could get more help. All I can offer, I have, and the rest is going to be you readers looking through museums, ebay, pinterest, and other websites.

      Delete
  6. Thanks, was able to identify the 1946 ford hood ornament I found on a rusty hood in my dad's yard.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have acquired 9 antique hood ornaments and 2 radiator caps. When I found this wonderful site, I thought I had it made in identifying them. I can't identify a single one!! I need help! I don't see how to post pictures here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because this is my website, and I don't have it set up for people to post photos here. I'm not in the business of identifying hood ornaments. I'm not going to set up a forum for that. You do it. It'll be good. Obviously this is only limited to the amount of info I found available at the time I made it, and there were many more hood ornaments made than I've posted here... to learn more about yours, look around the internet, or go to car museums and ask them. Or ask car collectors

      Delete
  8. Impressive hood ornaments!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The 1956 Mercury is incorrect, that's actually a 1955-1957 GMC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so wrong. I've owned 5 gmc trucks, not one of them had that emblem. They all have had the "jeteagle", that is listed as 56 Chevrolet, as they are the same.

      Delete
    2. I suggest that you reeducate yourself. A quick Google image search will help you. Here's one result of countless many that came up that confirm what I said is accurate. https://picclick.com/1955-1956-1957-GMC-Truck-JET-HOOD-ORNAMENT-222401373627.html

      Delete
  10. Can you identify this one? It is tagged as a Marmon, but it only has two bars instead of three.

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAyMVgxNjAw/$T2eC16JHJGwE9n)ySd8KBQPPCLr3gw~~60_35.JPG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right there on the post title it says clearly "Don't ask me, I don't know!" I just double checked, it's still there.

      I don't know, I am not going to look it up. It's yours, you do your own homework.

      Delete
    2. He is VERY clear about not asking...soooo, why in the h**l would anybody ask? Are they an idiot or just so self centered they think his #1 rule doesn't apply to them?

      Delete
  11. Very Impressive post. i have never ever seen before these types of logos, or hoods ornaments of car brand. nice collection of pics. i appreciate you buddy. keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. A very neat compendium, thx for posting! But FWIW, on the Packard page, '42-50 should be '42-51, and '54 should be '53-4 (the one labelled '53 is correct too, but that one was on Clippers, and should be on the page below it, which are all Clipper ornaments. Also, the one labelled '48 looks aftermarket.

    ReplyDelete
  13. For older automative mascots, this is probably the best reference on the web:

    http://www.mascot-mania.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. not very useful. For example, try looking at USA, then Chrysler. Zero results

      Delete
  14. Wow! What a labour of love. Are there any posters available for purchase that show hood ornaments, tail lights and/or car emblems? I would love to have them for a mancave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just right click on the image you want, save to your computer, and print. Voila, free poster

      Delete
  15. I would love to have posters of these items. Does anyone know if they are available to buy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You see them here right? Then right click on them, save to your computer, and then print them. Voila. You're welcome

      Delete
  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, you're going about trying to sell them the wrong way. Leaving a not in my comments function isn't going to get you any result. if you want the word spread send me a photo gallery, or link to an online gallery, and your asking price, and contact info.

      Delete
    2. email that to me at jbohjkl@yahoo.com

      Delete
  17. hi - can anyone tell me - what car had a hood ornament that is a jockeys head with a long peak on his cap - well i think its a jockey - thats what he looks like to me - i have been told its from an old Porsche but as i know nothing about cars - apart from the fact they have a wheel in each corner and magic happens under the hood and it goes where i am looking - i would love this mystery solved - thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No. Porsche never had a hood ornament like that. Google Porsche hod ornament, you'll see. You need to post that on facebook, or send me a photo. No one is going to see what the hell you are talking about from your description

      Delete

  18. I want to buy such as this online , how?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is no buy, no purchase, just click on the images and save to your computer. Free

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  19. Thank you so much for putting this together!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anybody know of a hood ornament that looks like the backend of a arrow just the quiver real heavy can't seem to id

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A quiver is not part of an arrow, it's the back pack you put arrows into.

      Delete
  21. my hood ornament is not on you cite ,but it has a number ,1007.if that helps.look like a eagle.its heavy and chromed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it's not here, I don't have any info on it. And if you are trying to find out more about it, try the nearest auto museums or car collectors. Good luck

      Delete
  22. Curious. I just saw a hood ornament at an estate sale. Looks like a 1952 Packard swan mounted/welded to a 1951 Olds rocket (Gerity 560354). Odd. Any value there??? It's old; it's neat. It's a Frankenornament.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't evaluate or assess, and I sure don't know enough to appraise

      Delete
  23. I recently aqquired a hood ornament. After hours of searching I still can't identify

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then you aren't done yet. Everything I know about them is posted right here. Everything. I'm not holding back that one secret that would tell you everything you wanted to know about the thing you found at a yard sale or swap meet, I simply am not that devious. If you want to know what the hell you have, then keep looking somewhere new until you figure it out. It's not my homework, it's not my project. It's yours. Good luck

      Delete
  24. Just aqquired a hood ornament, after hours of research.I still cant identify it. It looks like a devil with pointed ears and has a cape on. He has his thumb touching his nose. I have seen sevetal similar but no cape on

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you for making this list. Has been a great help.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey...
    Just wondering if you'd heard of this...
    I have two 51-52 Chrysler Imperial hood ornaments... both look the same as your photo except one is 10" long and the other is 12.5" long. both are intact and unbroken. original condition... perhaps one day I'll take a photo and pass it along to you.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope. You have mistaken me for a hood ornament expert. I am not. I simply posted a good ID guide to them. Then I dropped the mic... 'cause I'm out.

      Delete
  27. The Jet Hood ornament that you have displayed as a 1956 Mercury... Looks exactly like the hood ornament from the late 50s GMC/Chevrolet pick up trucks. Was the same designed also used with Mercury?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't any idea. I just posted a good ID guide, that's it. Until I find a better one on the internet, I'll leave it up. I haven't ever bought a book about them, and to get answers for what you're asking about, you'll probably need to. Or, get to talking to an expert if you can either find one, or become one

      Delete
  28. I just want to let you know that the Hood ornament you have pictured as the 1956 Mercury is a 1955-57 GMC truck hood ornament, it was a dealer installed option.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I didn't make this guide, I posted it to share with everyone who wants to try and identify the things they've found in garage sales, or the attic. It's got some mistakes, but, no one has mentioned where ANY other good visual guide is online. Six and a half years since I posted this, a million or more views, and NO ONE has ever mentioned any other online guide that is as good, or better. Until someone makes a better one, I'll have to keep this posted for what good it CAN do, and hope that sooner or later all the errors are found, and reported, and someone can fix them on the next version.

      Delete
  29. Gday bud ive recently cleaned out the old mans shed and found the hood in the 10th pic from the bottom in the bottom right corner its labeled as holden australia if you could tell me what car it came from it would be grate cheers bud

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no information that isn't on that image. Sorry, you'll have to look that up yourself, it's not my homework. I just posted the pages of hood ornaments in hopes they would help others, and I'm sorry they haven't helped you more, but it's not my mission to look up everyone's yard sale find and tell them what it's from. It's simple to find out what your piece came from, google australian hood ornaments, then google holden hood ornaments, then keep doing that, and searching and looking until you find a match. Or go to a car museum and ask them

      Delete
  30. Thank you so much. This is very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for referencing my site (Jane's Classic Car Photos)! I just saw an aftermarket ornament the owner did not know about and so far I have been unable to document its origins. It's a pretty detailed bird, like the Packard Cormorant but with far more detail.Wondering who might have some ideas on it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome! She asked me too. Looks like an aftermarket piece, JC Whitney type. The wings are together and the finish didn't fare well through the years, so my guess is low quality, aftermarket, and close enough to Packard or other factory pieces to sell in enough quantity to be worth making for a small company. She hit me up too. I told her the same thing I just told you. If it were a factory piece, it wouldn't take long to identify. All those factors are why I state clearly in my post title, and in the text in the post, "don't ask me, I don't know" and use the available resources to do your own homework. I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to be clear that I've done all I can about a topic I know nothing about. People just won't be nice though, they ask anyway. Sheesh. I bet you get questions all the time too

      Delete
  32. What do you know about Radiator caps? Do you know where I can research those?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not much, I put it all on this post, and you can always google until you get your answers

      Delete
  33. I have looked through numerous posts and pics online and cannot find this hood ornament anywhere. It is on a rare 1932 Yellow Cab Company taxi. Is this the original hood ornament because if so it must be rare because I haven't been able to find a single one like it online?
    IMG_4946.JPG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. read the title again... don't ask me. I don't know. Seriously, you sent a photo in email to me, and read my reply.... because i sure can't tell what is what from this comment.

      Delete
  34. Awesome article, great info! I picked up a 51 Golden Gazelle and a 48 chevy ornament at an auction the other day. Your post helped me identify them. Thanks for the hard work you put in compiling all this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good! I'm happy it worked for you! And you're welcome!

      Delete
  35. Thanks, helps sort through the aftermarket garbage out there. Now, can you help me ID this... lol just joking...

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for this one-stop reference page!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! it's as good as I've been able to make it... I wish there was a more detailed and comprehensive online book of hood ornaments available, but not that I've heard of yet

      Delete
  37. Good evening. I have just recently obtained an old toy with an hood ornament that I am having a hard time identifying. Can you please help me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. probably not. If you don't see it here, it might not be a hood ornament, and you say it's an old toy... so, how in the world could I possibly have any clue? Take photos of it, and the post them on facebook, and ask around. Then, if that doesn't work, use those to do a reverse image search with google

      Delete
    2. Good grief man, the guy clearly states that he won't do identification so don't ask, but you ask anyway...and for a toy no less?!

      Delete
  38. Hi, I don't know if this account is active or if this question is in your Wheelhouse. I have a large WW1 era lighter that has 2 very early 1915 [?] UNIC Georges Richard of France radiator enameled badges [red/blue] brass on copper tank.I think they are quite rare,in 4 years I have only found 1 for sale and do not know if that price is accurate. Can you please steer me in the right direction or tell me their value ? Thank you, I look forward to your response and expertise.DAN

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Value? Worthless. To have intrinsic value, there must be a supply, and a demand. Didn't you learn that in gradeschool? There are no lighters to supply a need for lighters with UNIC radiator badges. So, no demand? No value. No supply? Then really, it's not like you will ever find that one person in 7.5 billion that would rather have your lighter with old french radiator badges than a sum of money you're going to be satisfied with.
      Unless it's a Dunhill or Tiffany lighter.

      Delete
  39. Jesse, this question was for someone I thought wanted to share their knowledge and help others. I was wrong,YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED. Have you ever seen anyone restoring their 100 year old car and in need of parts ? There are so few of these left I would think a person that makes a living selling car parts would want to be a steward of Antique car parts.

    I would wish you a better day tomorrow but people like you will never be happy.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. try this, read the title "NO, I don't know what your hood ornament is worth." is part of the title, I have no patience for assholes like you that waste my time. What you "think a person that makes a living selling car parts would want" is of no concern to me, I don't care what you think or what those people do. I told you once don't ask me what your crap is worth. You're too self centered to understand I'm happier not hearing from you, I'm happy every day 'cause I'm doing what I enjoy

      Delete
    2. Still can't find out what this one came off

      Delete
    3. still not my problem.

      Delete
    4. Jesse, you're the best! Some of these people on here are unbelievable, especially the displacedfisherman crybaby...grow up, the world isn't here to serve and please YOU!

      Delete
  40. I have a few of these, now i know what they came off.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have an old rear of car emblem that I can't find any info. on. Can anyone help?.thanx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if you looked through everything I posted, and still need help? you're on your own. I did what I could to help, go look through hood ornament books and ask at car museums

      Delete
  42. Hello, I have a good ornament that is not on this list or in the pictures. As I see you have REO ornaments, I do not see ( or maybe I missed it and if so I’m sorry) the Mercury/Hermès one.
    If you would like, I can send a picture. There are little photos of it on google, but hopefully from my description of it being Mercury with his arm and hand flat out pointing forwards that you could understand why there are not that many surviving pieces as such.
    If your still around I would like to know your thoughts. I could only find one online for sale and quickly bought it up and have had it restored. No others have been up for sale since.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My thoughts, on an REO hood ornament of Mercury/Hermes? Sure, send me a couple photos! I'll post them! jbohjkl@yahoo.com

      Delete
  43. I have a hood ornament was wondering what its from where can I send a picture

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you can send that photo to someone that volunteers to do something with it. Not me. I made it clear already, that it's YOUR homework, not mine.

      Delete
  44. I like Atlas with the solid globe

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks much for providing this guide to hood ornaments. I just bought one at a garage sale and was able to find it right away inn the guide. It's a 1949 Buick, according to the guide. However, when I went to Marland's photo page, as you suggested. I discovered his 1949 Buick is different. I noticed you made some written corrections to the guide along the way, so I thought you might want to take a look. I'm guessing they may have used more than one style in 1949. Anyway, thanks much for providing these resources.
    Dave

    ReplyDelete
  46. they certainly had more than one, for more expensive optional trim levels, etc, plus the aftermarket ones

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm not sure if I've commented already, but one can't ever be given too many accolades.
    Thank you so much for posting the hood ornaments. You are my hero as you may have literally saved my sanity. I've been given exclusive salvage rights to a 90 year old junk yard and have been figuratively driven to tears trying to identify some the loose hood ornaments. With over 500 individual ornaments from the 1930's until the 80's, one can imagine the work it has taken to identify and catalog each one. Since I live in a very rural farming community, sometimes an old farmer or farm hand with artistic talent would create an ornament or modify an existing one. The talent of some of those guys was definitely wasted in the fields. The absolutely beautiful ornaments created have been the cause of many arguments as to whether it was factory or hand made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, compliments on your salvage project!
      And thank you for the compliment!
      What will you do with the beautiful ornaments? I hope you take photos and share them publicly somehow, with a facebook page, Tumblr, instagram, or a book.
      I didn't create this guide, I found it and shared it so more people could find it, and make use of it. It's the best I've seen so far, and I guess we could buy books that might be more through, but I prefer sharing cool stuff. I learned to share in 1st grade, or kindergarten, and still think it's a nice thing to do.
      I hope someone makes a better online guide someday, that has more hood ornaments, and more years of them, from more countries perhaps, but I certainly hope it's more accurate. This one has errors

      Delete
  48. Hi, I have a unique goddess hood ornament design I can't seem to find anywhere. If I sent some photos would you be able to maybe help me? Thanks~ Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. did you read the title of this post? Let me help you with that, "if it ain't here, don't ask me. I don't know. NO, I am not going to identify your hood ornament"
      See? I was already as clear as possible, that I don't do that. I already was as helpful as I can be, I did all I could, and from here on, it's all up to you to figure out your old trophy. Because as sure as the sun shines, you've got some old piece of junk 5th grade trophy for bowling.

      Delete
  49. Damn... Now I want to start collecting hood ornaments. Not sure to cuss you or thank you. At my age I'll just thank you and look at others collections. You are the man! Carry On Sir!

    ReplyDelete