Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

What is the correct hood ornament for my 1937 115c sedan?

Thanks
Randy

Am sure others with better prewar knowledge will chime in but for what it is worth, I believe the standard ornament was your basic mostly stylized piece of chrome with very little detail -- similar to those used for base models in other years. The 37 six and 120 accessory catalog on site in the literature archive only shows one optional ornament available for the car but there may have been others added later.

Of course even if an ornament was not correct for the model, if an owner saw something from another year or from a senior model he liked and it would fit I doubt an enterprising dealer would have turned down the sale.

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  37 deluxe.jpg (255.03 KB)

Thank you very much for the information.

As Howard posted out either the pictured standard "Bail" type or the optional "Goddess" are correct. I prefer the "Bail" type as I think it is more in keeping with the overall design of the car. I had one on my 115C.

Go with the bail, per JWL. Less is more. That, and anything more overpowers the car, esp. the relatively small junior six. The cormorant and flying lady were mainly dealer options to enhance their profit margins.

The best-looking cars invariably have the least gewgaws.

When I got my 1946 Deluxe last winter, I promptly and without regret removed the (incorrect) cormorant and replaced it with the post-war stylized Goddess of Speed. Oddly, I didn't like that ornament formerly but it has grown on me over the decades.

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Exactly!

My 37 - 115C Sedan came with the ball hood ornament but I changed it out for what I was told was the correct for the year Goddess. Purchased it at the Packard Annual in Pontiac, MI a few years ago.

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  Goddess2.jpg (49.98 KB)


  Goddess2.jpg (49.98 KB)

If the car was sitting on the dealer lot in 1938 they would put whatever they had to sell the car. So yes, you were told the wrong information, but I think the 38 ornament in better looking.