Automobile Mascots and Hood Ornaments

Automobile Mascots

and Hood Ornaments

Introduction

This section of the Traditional Fine Arts Organization (TFAO) catalogue Topics in American Art is devoted to the topic "Automobile Mascots and Hood Ornaments" Articles and essays specific to this topic published in TFAO's Resource Library are listed at the beginning of the section. Clicking on titles takes readers directly to these articles and essays. The date at the end of each title is the Resource Library publication date.

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Articles and essays from Resource Library in chronological order:

Automobile Mascots in the Nethercutt Collection Photo essay by John Hazeltine, January, 2022

More mascots seen at an auto show, July, 2024

Also from the Web:

The Automobile and American Art is a 2022 exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum which says: "The Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection includes hundreds of artworks featuring cars. Albert H. Small's prolific collection of model cars, a gift to the museum, provides a unique lens through which to explore these works and the role of the automobile in American art." Accessed 6/22

The History of American Automobile Mascots and Hood Ornaments In Brief, by ChatGPT, April 22, 2025

Wikipedia defines hood ornaments as follows: "A hood ornament, also called radiator cap, motor mascot, or car mascot is a specially crafted model which symbolizes a car company like a badge, located on the front center portion of the hood. It has been used as an adornment nearly since the inception of automobiles." The Wikipedia entry further lists notable hood ornaments with images.

Online videos

May, 2023 screenshot via Google video search:

Return to Topics in American Representational Art

Editor's note: In May, 2022 Bob & Tina Minty, San Clemente, CA, owners of a 1929 wood-clad Oldsmobile, asked TFAO to help identify a radiator hood ornament which they affixed to it. Please click here for details.

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