Re: Odd Hood Ornament Similar to Cormorant

Posted by Leeedy On 2018/4/19 17:01:47
Quote:

PackardDon wrote:
I've been speaking with the owner of this odd ornament that is clearly not Packard but also does not look like any aftermarket ornament I've ever seen. It's almost Art-Deco in appearance. The body looks like those of the late '40s to '52 but is lying down as part of the base and the wings are very sharp-edged. Does anyone here know what it might be?


There were lots and lots and lots of aftermarket hood ornaments that imitated the Packard bird ornament. These knock-off aftermarket ornaments were made for decades. Some had cast bodies with sheet metal wings. Some had fully cast designs. Others had cast bodies with plastic wings-some of which went as far as to have a bulb inside to illuminate the wings. Most were universal-fit, but some were made for cars... some were made for motorcycles and some were made for bicycles. And there were several varieties of these sub-catefgories of the sub-category! So anything is imaginable.

Probably the most prolific of the manufacturers of these ornaments (all of them) was a company called Gem Manufacturing out of Illinois. No idea if they are still in business. I have several of their old catalogues. Of course you can also find knock-off Packard ornaments in J.C. Whitney, Western Auto and Pep Boys catalogues, as well as other retail outlets that sold automotive items.

Try turning the ornament over and take a good, clear photo of the underside. There ought to be a maker's logo under the bird.

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