Back in the day, the ubiquitous “hood ornament” seen gracing the front end of many cars and trucks started out with a very practical purpose. You see, at the start of the “automotive age,” radiator ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. (Original Caption) 1938-Close-up of the very front end of a 1938 Cadillac La Salle. This smaller counterpart to the Cadillac ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Hood ornaments are long gone from most automobiles, a victim of pedestrian safety regulations keen on keeping people from being impaled by steel and chrome in the event of a collision. With a few ...

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 ...

I've got a bone to pick with automakers. There are simply not enough hood ornaments nowadays, and the companies known for their flashy décor are simply giving it all up, not particularly keen on that ...

Once holding a place of honor as brand-defining symbols, awesome hood ornaments are now edging towards extinction. We've selected ten awesome ornaments which we're looking for you to name and answer ...

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