Good eeeeeeeevening. I'm looking at this hood ornament / radiator mascot for sale. I'm told it's chromed solid br*** and pretty old. Maybe from the '20s. It's not real big, the tire itself is 3" diameter overall. In any case, I'm thinking it's quite unique. I've never seen one like it. I've seen a devil in a tire, but nothing like this. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a one-off. You ever see one? If not, maybe I'll get it. Maybe I'll get it anyway. Sure seems to embody the bad boy hot rod spirit. But in a vintage way. Might look just right on a bad*** little old-style hot rod roadster. You think?
Wow, Steve. That was fast. Same concept. Different style. Different level of finish. The one I'm showing doesn't really have the level of detail of the one you posted. Maybe it's a copy from that era. Or even homemade.
Yes, could be a copy of the Dunlop Tyre originals. Or an original with a poorly re-done chrome job???
Whoa. Life mimics art. You're exactly right, @twenty8 ... the seller told me his dad had it chromed years ago. The br*** (bronze?) one that you posted, @fuzzface I think is the exact model I posted, but without the chrome. And it's in better condition. Almost perfect. So they are around.
I tend to agree with you. It's beautiful. And cool. And so kind of antique and edgy at the same time. Skulls and crossbones and barbed wire grilles can't hold a candle to it. We've all seen the different hood ornaments and mascots. Flying goddesses, winged wheels, rams, Pegasus, Indian heads and all the rest. But this is the first that I've seen this particular design. From a hot rodders perspective, I think it's a perfect fit.