Jaglover Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Does anybody know what vehicle this hood ornament would be from? It's brass but was originally chromed before it wore off in the weather. I inherited it from my father, who was a mechanic on British sports cars in the 1960's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 An accessory item? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Looks like a flag pole topper. It looks too large to be a hood ornament. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaglover Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 Thanks for the replies. The consensus seems to be a flag pole finial. I also posted it on the general forum. It's a little disappointing because I really thought it was from a car since my Dad was such a car guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 1 minute ago, Jaglover said: finial That's the word I was looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 (edited) I have a very similar one that I can't decide if it was at least aftermarket, but do believe it was automotive. The base underside would tell some story on yours. Mine is fairly heavy and isn't pot metal. Edited April 11, 2022 by JFranklin (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Do Google images of a Thomas Flyer. They had hood ornaments like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLynskey Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 1 hour ago, Tom Boehm said: Do Google images of a Thomas Flyer. They had hood ornaments like that. 1911 Thomas Flyer mascot. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 (edited) That would be a no on the ID for the one in question. Edited April 11, 2022 by Terry Bond (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Jaglover, your eagle could be a reproduction or a copy of the Thomas Flyer hood ornament. The casting detail quality is not the same. It still might be an actual hood ornament. What does the bottom look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I believe it is an actual radiator mascot, but not for any specific vehicle. The eagle was a symbol for many things around the world not just patriotic for us Yank’s… This one is very similar to one I have, and I have several other versions including clubs and a Moto-meter topper all being of various qualities. Patriotic mascots were very popular post WW1 and into the 20’s A very similar aftermarket. One thing to consider is the size and strength of any mascot where it sits on the cap. Because of road vibration they needed to be strong and well supported. The one on the left is ALF fire truck, right rear is American Highways Association, the front one is a very cheap aftermarket for a Ford T: Touring Club of America and the Moto-Meter topper, which would look similar to the TCA if sitting on a meter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 (edited) And a picture for Terry… the cap under one of yours is a factory cap for a Gardner, and I can think of a reasonable trade if you are interested… I have two Griffin’s. Edited April 11, 2022 by TheMoneyPit Spellcheck issues (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaglover Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share Posted April 11, 2022 5 hours ago, Tom Boehm said: Jaglover, your eagle could be a reproduction or a copy of the Thomas Flyer hood ornament. The casting detail quality is not the same. It still might be an actual hood ornament. What does the bottom look like? The bottom has been tapped with a 5/16" coarse thread hole. No stud, but one could have been there at one time. It is very heavy and might even have some lead in there. There is a 3/8" flat washer that is embedded in there so I can't be sure without pulling that out. Don't really want to do that. Thanks for the reply. Really hoping it's at least auto related. A flag pole finial doesn't sound as sexy as an unknown automotive good ornament. 17 hours ago, JFranklin said: I have a very similar one that I can't decide if it was at least aftermarket, but do believe it was automotive. The base underside would tell some story on yours. Mine is fairly heavy and isn't pot metal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaglover Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share Posted April 11, 2022 5 hours ago, TheMoneyPit said: I believe it is an actual radiator mascot, but not for any specific vehicle. The eagle was a symbol for many things around the world not just patriotic for us Yank’s… This one is very similar to one I have, and I have several other versions including clubs and a Moto-meter topper all being of various qualities. Patriotic mascots were very popular post WW1 and into the 20’s A very similar aftermarket. One thing to consider is the size and strength of any mascot where it sits on the cap. Because of road vibration they needed to be strong and well supported. The one on the left is ALF fire truck, right rear is American Highways Association, the front one is a very cheap aftermarket for a Ford T: Touring Club of America and the Moto-Meter topper, which would look similar to the TCA if sitting on a meter. Thanks Money Pit. Great info, and an awesome collection. This was my first post, so I posted in General before I saw the "What is it" my apologies. The knowledge you all have is amazing and much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaglover Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share Posted April 11, 2022 Thanks everyone for the replies and guesses. I tried every lead you gave me. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 American Underslung used an eagle, but I think the pose was different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbartlett Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 My Locomobile has the American Highways Association eagle mounted between the headlights, and has ever since the car was ordered from the factory. At the purchaser's request, the factory welded a flange onto the crossbar in order to accommodate his eagle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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