Mark Huston Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I have been told, by my mother, that his is the airplane hood ornament that my grandfather had on one of his cars. My grandfather was born in 1889 and died in 1938, Canton, Ohio. My grandfather was a WW1 veteran who was an engineer and a successful businessman. I don't know what car, or year, this may have been used by him. Is this a child's toy or could it have been used on a car? It is in poor condition and looks to have been made of pot metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 (edited) Yes, it is a radiator cap/hood ornament. It is similar to this one in a book that I have....according to the book, it was illuminated.... It is an aftermarket piece and not meant for any particular car/truck. Edited September 5, 2016 by keiser31 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Huston Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 Thank you Keiser. Another family story confirmed and now I know what once looked like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 It appears like it was meant to be a rough likeness of Charles Lindbergh's Ryan monoplane. He was wildly popular following his solo Atlantic crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBulldogMiller55Buick Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 3 hours ago, 31 Caddy said: It appears like it was meant to be a rough likeness of Charles Lindbergh's Ryan monoplane. He was wildly popular following his solo Atlantic crossing. I think you're right. It put me in mind of the 'Spirit of St Louis' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 Being a "wing nut" (aviation enthusiast), I think that's one of the coolest radiator caps/hood ornaments I've ever seen. I can imagine what it would look like, cruising down some country road at night with the propeller spinning and the cabin lights lit. Of course, in the name of safety and night vision, the cabin lights would have to be muted and red in color. Mark, What are your plans for it? Do you plan to restore it or display it "as is"? Cheers, Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 (edited) Though not intended as an automotive ornament, I thought thought viewers would like seeing this period piece Lindbergh commemorative item that I discovered at a yard sale. It is captioned "Spirit of the Times" and de-bossed on the base is "Compliments of Manhattan Aero Club Inc. May 19, 1928", (one day short of a year after the Spirit of St. Louis took off). The base is made of one of the "yellow" durable metals, but the airplane itself is of an unstable deteriorating die cast metal. One elevator is gone, as is a wing tip and the propeller. I would like to preserve it from further decomposition, any suggestions as to how best to do so would be appreciated. Thanks, Dave Edited September 6, 2016 by Dave Henderson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 These were popular after the Lindbergh flight. I don't think all versions were illuminated, I kind of remember seeing a smaller one on a Ford T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 7 minutes ago, 28 Chrysler said: These were popular after the Lindbergh flight. I don't think all versions were illuminated, I kind of remember seeing a smaller one on a Ford T. There were MANY styles and types of the airplane ornaments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Huston Posted September 7, 2016 Author Share Posted September 7, 2016 21 hours ago, capngrog said: Mark, What are your plans for it? Do you plan to restore it or display it "as is"? Cheers, Grog The airplane hood ornament has resided in an old family trunk (used by the family since the 1840s) since my grandfather had it. I will be placing it back in the trunk for a another generation to discover buried in the old trunk with other family treasures. Other than that, don't know what else to do with it. Selling is out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick8086 Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) Crowley had a airplane on the front of the car.. I can not find the picture.. It was for sale in Branson.. Edited September 7, 2016 by nick8086 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 That looks like a 1952 Crosley station wagon. The propeller was stock. My Dad was a Crosley dealer, and at eight years old, I thought that nothing was cooler than the spinning propeller on the front of the Crosleys. Cheers, Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kings32 Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 I have two of the first pictured airplane cap . I found them in a junk yard many years ago . one is pretty complete the other is not . Been seating on a shelf . Kings32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJamesK Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 This looks to me like one of the Lockheed planes so popular back in the 20's or 30's. The Spirit had squared off wings. The Lockheed Vega had wing nearly identical to this hood ornament and a bigger engine and more windows. There were a ton of records being broken or at least people attempted to break in planes. Wiley Post and Amelia Earhart flew them, among others. Post set an around the world or coast-to-coast record in one and Amelia I think did her solo piloting flight across the Atlantic in one. Not positive though. Here is a well known one... the Winnie Mae. I believe this was a Wiley Post plane. However the nose is less like the ornament. Here's one with the cylinders uncovered. Peace, James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now