GarnetArmy79 0 Posted August 28, 2016 Hello everyone! I'm a newb and am looking for some help from those with a lot more knowledge about vintage/classic cars than me. My brother acquired the hood ornament in the pictures in this post. He was told by someone that they believed it was very rare, but we has no idea what it is and how rare it actually is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keiser31 3,582 Posted August 29, 2016 (edited) Looks like an aftermarket item to me. I do not recall seeing any with the red plexiglass tail. Are there any part numbers/letters on the inside? It is a nice one. Edited August 29, 2016 by keiser31 (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GarnetArmy79 0 Posted August 29, 2016 Thank you for the reply. I was thinking it was possibly from a mid to late 40's model Oldsmobile, but I cannot find anything online with the red plexiglass section of the wings. The only markings or numbers are located on the underside inside the tail section. SLC MADE USA 554757. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MCHinson 2,733 Posted August 29, 2016 While I have no knowledge of it at all personally, a Google search on "hood ornament 554757" seems to show that it is a hood ornament for a 1947 or 1948 Oldsmobile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GarnetArmy79 0 Posted August 29, 2016 Thanks MCHinson. That's what I have found as well. It's the dark red lucite on the back part of the wings that I cannot find online anywhere. The google search brings up an Ebay listing for a hood ornament that looks identical, but has a blue lucite wings instead of dark red. Would the part number have been the same for all of the different color variations? Is that typical? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MCHinson 2,733 Posted August 29, 2016 Looking at Google images of cars, it appears that a red or nearly red color is probably the original one, but I don't know anything about Oldsmobiles of the 40s. Perhaps someone who knows more about it will chime in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Mellor NJ 273 Posted August 29, 2016 Looks like a slight difference between 47 and 48, yours being a 48 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GarnetArmy79 0 Posted August 29, 2016 Thanks to everyone who has replied and thank you for the info and picture, Dave Mellor NJ. Any idea what this one might be worth and how rare it is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keiser31 3,582 Posted August 29, 2016 37 minutes ago, Dave Mellor NJ said: Looks like a slight difference between 47 and 48, yours being a 48 Not a 1948. The 1948 has a tongue in front. the '49 does not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misterc9 77 Posted August 29, 2016 The tongue probably is a separate piece that unbolts on the 48. The 49 has different wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike6024 686 Posted August 29, 2016 They can sell for $125, actually sold. One that sold - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1947-1948-Oldsmobile-Hood-Ornament-Amber-Lucite-Very-Nice-Original-GM-554757-/322176040804?nma=true&si=XeV3DVepYFYBDOqUqE80OKwlwjg%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 This one offered at $250 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Oldsmobile-NOS-hood-ornament-L-K-/351798147176?hash=item51e8cdb868:g:1HoAAOxyaURTjGKj&vxp=mtr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keiser31 3,582 Posted August 29, 2016 9 hours ago, misterc9 said: The tongue probably is a separate piece that unbolts on the 48. The 49 has different wings. The '48 is all one piece, not two. The tongue is part of the wings. The '49 shown in the chart is all chrome, but the same wing configuration. The only difference is the rear half is red. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy's Auto Shop 35 Posted August 29, 2016 AFAIK it is for a '48 Olds 98. The one pictured above with the 'tongue' is for a 78 of the same year. 70-Series cars were B-Bodied while 90-Series were C-Bodied. But I could be wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rbsyno@yahoo.com 1 Posted July 22 I have a one family owned before me 1947 Oldsmobile model #76. It has a Green plastic rear section. I made a high beam indicator out of it. I repainted it the original color it was sold new with. The same model and color in on the front cover of the 1947 Oldsmobile new car show room brochure. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites