Peter Zobian

Jim, FYI these aren't actually "hood ornaments". The two items in your photos are "radiator mascots" that go on top of the radiator cap. Many radiator mascots were made in small numbers by recognized sculptors and were cast in bronze; silver or nickel plated, and signed by the artist. In the 1930s, after the radiator moved under the hood, car manufacturers started to produce hood ornaments. These were usually cheaper versions of mascots made from pot metal, chrome plated, and made in the hundreds or even thousands. Peter Zobian

Jim, I've seen the plaster fakes -- really crude! My inkwell is definitely NOT a fake! Many signed bronze sculptures have been plated, in nickel and silver plate. Many signed radiator mascots made before the 1930s were plated bronze. I agree that perhaps a famous auction house might be the best place to sell this. Peter Zobian

Bill, That's too bad! I don't imagine it would cost very much to paint the spear and the leading edge of the hood scoop to match the rest of the car. It certainly would not stop me from buying a car that I liked. When I look back at all the cars I've bought that needed a whole lot more than a small area painted... Peter

Sorry, maybe they didn't know you would be concerned when they painted the car.

Here's photo of a 1959 Thunderbird in the Netherlands with a white side spear. Peter

The ivory spear and the ivory area on the front of the hood scoop are custom, to match the top. Peter

Tom, I've had this license plate for about 40 years and I had never thought about selling it. Perhaps we should move our conversation away from the forum since this is off the original topic. My email address is przobian@gmail.com Peter

No, the plate is not dated. Ethiopia was an Italian colony and Italian plates are not dated either. The plates stayed with the car (and actually belonged to the government). I got the plate on a 1934 Fiat Balilla Spider Militare that was made in Italy for use in Ethiopia. The plate is original, but not perfect, as you can see in the photos.

I NEED TO SELL MY c.1910 ANTIQUE SILVER OVER BRONZE INKWELL WITH A SCULPTURE OF A CHAIN DRIVE MERCEDES Grand Prix in a race, with driver and riding mechanic. It has two opening compartments, one under the hood for the ink bottle and one under the double rear spares for stamps or etc. It is signed "W. Frick" and has the proper foundry mark "Kaiser", and the old Germany "Alemania" mark stamped on the bottom. I found this beautiful piece in a shop in the antiques area of San Telmo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina several years ago. It is about 15 inches long, 5.5 inches tall, about 8 inches wide, and weighs about 6.5 pounds. It is in really excellent condition. Price: $4,000 firm.

MUST SELL, PLEASE MAKE A NEAR OFFER!

Jim, I was teasing! Yes, I do remember. I also remember that BMW (or AFM) based roadster that I found for you. You restored it and it was featured in a Motor Trend Retrospect article. Do you remember that Siata Daina "fast back" berlinetta with a Chevy II engine that was parked in a driveway in Manhattan Beach? Those were good times! I miss them. Peter

Hi Chris, what does "glws" stand for? Peter

Hi Tom, I would sell the Ethiopian license plate. What's your offer? Peter

Thanks for your offer, but no thanks!!! You might be able to buy a "Rust Bucket" for so little money. Peter

More photos of my 1959 T-Bird.

I sold a 1934 Fiat Balilla Spider Militare (which was still on Ethiopian plates when I bought it near Detroit) to a professor at Univ. of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He later moved with it to North Carolina, and I lost touch with him. So, there's probably at least two Balillas in the US. I think I still have the Ethiopia plate off that car. Peter

BEAUTIFUL 1959 THUNDERBIRD: CALIFORNIA "NEVER ANY RUST" CAR FROM NEW! STILL ON ITS CALIFORNIA BLACK PLATES. FACTORY 352 V8, 300 HP, 4-BBL CARB, DUAL EXHAUST, AUTOMATIC, AIR, POWER STEERING, ORIGINAL AM RADIO STILL WORKS, MOSTLY NEW INTERIOR INCLUDING T-BIRD RUBBER MATS & SEAT BELTS, NEW WW TIRES, NEW TURQUOISE & IVORY PAINT, ONLY 73,500 MILES FROM NEW. DRIVE ANYWHERE AT COMFORTABLE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS A REALLY SOLID AND TIGHT CAR!! GOOD BUY AT $13,500. PLEASE CALL PETER AT 805-927-5802.

This beautiful Square Bird is still for sale!!!

Jim, they are nice, but why did you pay so much??

STILL AVAILABLE!!!!

This is similar to illustration #856 in "Mascottes Automobiles" by Michel Legrand: CYGNE by Dian-Lli - France 1925-1930. Although the illustrated photo does not show the neck and head bent up as in your photo. It is definitely NOT the Hispano Stork by Bazin. I think it is most likely an accessory mascot from the 1930s. Peter

Hi, please PM info and photos. Thanks! Peter

Thank you, Graham Man

Where we lived in Roslyn, there was a rail line up the hill from our house. It ran through the woods past the Mackey estate to Roslyn Heights. The trains were pulled by Steam locomotives and there were often grass fires along the tracks. The lighter weight Hose Trucks could drive along side of the tracks, laying hose from either a hydrant or the pumper, with a crew to man the hoses and carrying back-mounted hand-pump extinguishers and brooms to put out the fires. These light weight vehicles were often professionally built based on automobiles or light trucks, and as they were often fast and nimble they were used in Fire Department tournaments. Our village fire department -- Rescue Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 -- had a Ford Model A Hose Truck, with wire wheels, open cab, based on a Model A Pickup, and a 1931 Chevrolet open cab Hose truck based on a 1-ton truck with disc wheels and single rear wheels. My dad who was a teacher at Roslyn High School wanted the Model A Ford, but I think it went to a relative of one of the firemen, so we got the 1931 Chevy. I learned how to drive on that truck and I loved it!!!

Hi, Is his name and contact information a secret? If he doesn't want to sell, tell him I won't bug him about it. Peter