Culture: Art: Sculpture: Automotive
Hood-Ornamented ’Hood Park   (+1)  [vote for, against]
statuesque park of upscale hood/bonnet ornaments (mascots)

Imagine strolling through a verdant park in a motor city like Detroit or Wolfsburg. Here and there in small glades, on the forefront of grassy knolls or rounded rock outcroppings, stand 2 – 3 meter high chromed statues. Towering over visitors could be the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls' flying lady, or the coppery glass and metal profile of Pontiac’s Indian.

At the base of each gleaming replica would be a plaque with the car model, year and picture and its mascot’s original artist(s). Hood ornaments have always had a classic, flowing beauty and there are many to choose from. There are goddesses and an Adonis, animals from jaguars and rams to cormorants and greyhounds, stars, ships, rockets and winged wheels. The silent, streamlined figureheads would mirror their miniature models’ sense of speed and elegance.
-- FarmerJohn, May 08 2004

hood ornaments http://www.lepoix.de/
[FarmerJohn, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

more hood ornaments http://www.suite101...le.cfm/14616/106457
[FarmerJohn, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Carhenge http://www.carhenge.com/
Not relevant - I just had to link this somewhere... [hippo, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

French artist produces hood ornaments in glass http://www.finesse-.../Lalique/lalart.htm
not quite what FJ is going for, but interesting [dentworth, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

This is such a good idea that I may do it in my front yard. Now let's see, I'll need a half dozen Camaros, some cinder blocks, and...
-- justaguy, May 08 2004


Lovely. Wonderful links, too.

These could be spring-attached so they wouldn't break off their bases.
-- waugsqueke, May 08 2004


Nice one, FJ. Of course, in the gift shop they have to sell hood hood ornaments - minature versions of the sculptures designed to be attached to hoods of the coat-based variety. Not only do they look sleek and dynamic as you stride through the night on rainy days, but they also serve as a handy handle for raising or lowering the hood itself. Head-figureheads, as it were.
-- lostdog, May 08 2004


I love this idea, I wonder if such a thing might exist in Detroit, I am looking
-- dentworth, May 09 2004


[dent], The only thing I can think of is the 'Spirit of Ford' building, which is designed as a great big Ford oval.

Oooh, hey, there you go. Have a building designed as a 1930's hood ornament. It could be the next Statue of Liberty.
-- RayfordSteele, May 09 2004


an oval building
-- dentworth, May 10 2004


well, that's ford for you
-- otmShank, Jun 19 2004



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