A Rolls-Royce Phantom, for example, has a massive, commanding presence with smooth, flowing lines and a distinctive Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament.

Hood ornament for 1931 Type 41 Royale Convertible designed by Ettore Bugatti; made by Automobiles Ettore Bugatti, Molsheim, France; metal, chromium, glass, leather, rubber, wood; 62 1/2 inches x ...

A 1931 Bugatti “Royale” Weinberger Cabriolet featured in the exhibition has a stunning hood ornament depicting an elephant dancing on its hind legs.

SANTA FE — “Hood Ornament,” a multigenerational art show curated by Charles Moore for Container, brings together 14 Black artists, including leading figures like Kara Walker and Shinique ...

To this day, it stands as the only production Bugatti to boast a hood ornament. Luxury aside, during its heyday, the Type 41 Royale was also the longest car on the road, measuring approximately ...

Bugatti is finally commencing deliveries of the roofless W16 Mistral, the last road-going model to use that incredible engine.

What is left for this online auction concluding March 4 will be everything from hood ornaments (“ mascots ” to you pedantics), paintings, prints, sculptures, furniture, and even some car parts.

A special touch common to both cars is a recreation of Rembrandt Bugatti’s iconic Dancing Elephant sculpture, which originally served as a hood ornament for the Depression-era Bugatti Type 41 ...

In creating the car, they made sure to account for the details, designing hatch seals, adjusting gaps, and even incorporating a functional spoiler and a retractable hood ornament à la Rolls-Royce.

Hood ornaments–also known as car mascots–were points of pride for automakers. L-R: Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Packard. Images: Kristin Shaw / Popular Science ...

Car hood ornaments are a bit old-fashioned these days, but you can still find them on some luxury cars. These are the most famous pieces of hood decor ever.