Let's Talk Hood Ornaments!

Someone posted this awesome link to a website devoted to hood ornaments.

http://ken-thornton.com/mascots.html

Some of these ornaments are truly excellent, and I would absolutely consider adding one to my '64 Biscayne wagon, alas my car's hood has a pronounced crease right down the middle. (see pic).

Has anyone ever heard of a hood ornament adapter? is it possible to install a hood ornament on a creased hood? Do any of you body work guys have any ideas? Most importantly, is the idea of installing a hood ornament ridiculous and frivolous, or is this the next fad in custom work?

If you check out the above link, I think you will agree some of those ornaments would be the perfect finishing touch on a sweet ride.

Here's another great site. Check out the top 50 mascots and tell me you wouldn't want one proudly displayed on your hood!

http://www.mascot-mania.co.uk/?19mmtrappedbreak57

 

Great link man! Lots of cool stuff...I have thought about adding a ornament before, looking at this site, I know it would take forever to decide.

 

It's true! Where do you start? I found some nice ones available on EBAY, but I have no idea if a hood ornament is an option.

 

A hood ornament is possible on virtually any car. The trick is to adapt. If you can't find a donor where there is a very similar crease in the middle, you choose one that has a totally flat base, and use fairly hard rubber to cut an adapter to fit the contour of the hood, then drill your hole and mount it up. To allow various models to use the same door mounted mirror, the car companies have been doing exactly that for years!

 

Excellent. This was kind of what I thought, and I am glad for it.

 

Some of the best ones are the Pontiac chiefs like Mogman's in my opinion. Some of them actually light up I think!?

 

That would be awesome!! I would have to have it light up green like my headlights!

 

There are a large assortment of lalique (think clouded glass) ornaments that light up. You have to have an adapter that attaches to the radiator cap. I don't know how practical they are for cars like ours, but they sure are sweet.

 

Yup...those old Poncho ornaments lit up and were, IMHO, the coolest hood ornament ever.

 

I would use a hard, smooth rubber like an old hockey puck, and then paint it to match the colour of the car, so it looks like a proper mount for the hood ornament. The mounting studs are normally plenty long to go through the mount and the hood plus what ever bracing is there. Can't wait to see a picture of what you choose!

 

Dang you FatChrist Magic!!!! As if I already have more time to waste on this lectric demon. I saved both those mascot sites. Thanks, I think!
My 55 Chevy wagon had the hood ornament removed and the hood peeked when I got it. Left it that way from around 87 till maybe a few years ago then decided I wanted an original 55 bird back on the hood.
Just happened to have one on my Sears riding mower. Don't ask! Now the wagon has it's bird back and I have another new riding mower without a bird ornament.
I am still looking for some kind of hood ornament for the new mower so I can pretend to be cruising while mowing. I've always wanted a buldog ornament for my Dodge truck but havent' gotten the courage to drill holes in the hood.
Back to those original mascots, I have a new Model T winged temp gauge that I had on my 1926 T for just a short time. And an original 1933 Chevy eagle radiator cap which was only on the 1933 Chevy Master Eagle models. Even then it was a rare accessory. Had it on my unfinished 1933 Chevy very little. Both of these sit in front of me on the top shelf of my puter desk gathering dust.
I only remember those Pontiac ornaments and maybe a few Buick hood ornaments that lit up. JC Whitney used to have all kinds of cheap accesory hood ornaments. Many had lites in them. As a kid the junk yards were full of those useless hood ornaments.

 

Sorry to add to your anguish, but cool is cool and I felt I had to share. I admit, I share your apprehension when it comes to actually drilling holes. I'll have to think about what I'm doing before I do it. For right now, these are two that have my attention.

 

I found this one...




I have always been intrigued by hood ornaments, but I'm not sure that I'd put one on Fannie.

 

Did you happen to steal this ornament off a Kia in Joplin, MO??

 

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July 1st last year I poked my eye lens into my eyeball with a stick. Still having major problems. No way would I mount this on my hood. I do like the ringed devil, but not fannie's devil.
Altho I believe it fits her well!