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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe engine on this highly modified Ford is obviously a replacement, but a useful and decorative radiator cap is part of the original beast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And from there the practical gave way to the exuberant and symbolic. This is also from Ford and features a racing greyhound, to suggest that this car is fast (and it probably could go 50 mph at least).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The radiator is no longer exposed in slightly later cars, so now the signifier has transformed into a hood ornament. This stylized woman is taking a leap into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But why let the ladies have all the fun? This hood ornament is a man (I think?), perhaps he is faster than a speeding bullet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there is no need to get completely literal, it’s hard to say just what this represents, but whatever it is, it’s fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there is still room for the literal, this car boasts a rocket as it’s mascot (note to designers: this is an airplane), and one can “blast off” down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But what caused the demise of these symbols? Why if one is struck by a car with a fixed hood ornament, one could be injured (yes, they are missing the obvious). So these were finally outlawed except for ornaments that are on an elastic tether so that they bend on impact (I’m looking at you Mercedes and Jaguar). But they still exist as testament to the art of automotive styling in these decorative details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Is a car just a means of transportation, or is it something more: a statement, a totem? Cars started becoming popular just a hundred years or so ago. There were lots of competing companies, but how to distinguish one from another? Body styles were based on coaches, but these things had motors, motors needed cooling … Continue reading On the Hood<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n