Human beings have always liked status symbols. Centuries ago, the pineapple was a rarity shown off in the mansions of European nobles, reportedly worth around $8,000 each in today's money. This ...

As far back as the 1920s, certain models of car have had distinctive hood ornaments. In the olden days, hood ornaments were used to cover up the jutting point of a car's radiator cap with something a ...

In the early days of automobiles, hood ornaments were not merely decorative; they served a functional purpose that might surprise modern car enthusiasts. Originally designed to indicate the status of ...

American automobiles of the 1950s had more elegant chrome that included the hood ornament, as well as more glass and more horsepower. The chrome was called “brightwork.” So if you would ever forget ...

Hood ornaments have mostly gone the way of the dodo bird. Part and parcel of a bygone age, they jutted proudly off an automobile's front and cut through the air like the carved figureheads on the bows ...

While someone looking to personalize their car today might opt for a set of custom rims, in the ’20s and ’30s, you made your vehicle your own in a different way — via a hood ornament. “They were kind ...

May 3—They sit perched on the front of a car. Each represents a specific brand. At first they had a purpose. These days, they are mainly for show. A collection of car hood ornaments are on display at ...

Inside the Mercedes Benz dealership on New York's posh Park Avenue, cars shimmer, leather seats invite, and hubcaps gleam—just like you'd expect. But there's also something missing: the distinctive ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Hood ornaments started as a disguise for homely radiator caps more ...