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Cadillac and La Salle Insignia

 

Hood mascots and stand-up crests


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FRFLAG.JPG (773 bytes)
(le résumé en français se trouve en bas de page)

 

Before the hood ornament came the motometer, an ornate thermometer affair that screwed into the radiator cap; it was intended to keep the driver informed of the engine coolant temperature. 

With improved, thermostatic cooling, the motometer went out the window in the late twenties, to be replaced by sometimes very elegant hood mascots.  These were offered initially by accessory houses then, in 1930, by Cadillac itself.   The first automotive motometer was introduced by a Mr. Boyce in 1912. The fashion soon caught on. Cadillac added its famous script and coat of arms to it. When the temperature gauge was moved to the instrument panel, an empty space was left atop the radiator; the hood ornament filled it adequately.

Cadillac and La Salle models used various types of hood ornamentation since the mid-twenties; these are described and illustrated below.

 

crst10.jpg (4352 bytes)
This non-authentic Cadillac hood mascot
is on a 1910 Cadillac located in Germany

 

 

1. The standard motometer type, serving as both ornament and thermometer, was used from circa 1912-1928.

 

pre15mtm.jpg (4143 bytes)    motmetr.jpg (4680 bytes)
Left: t
his motometer backing plate was used before 1915
Right: typical motometer of that period

20smmetr.jpg (4322 bytes)    mtmetrds.jpg (4983 bytes)
Left: the earlier, so-called dog bone type, with helpful handles for unscrewing
Right: a similar example in brass finish [Dick Shappy collection]

1415mtmt.jpg (2822 bytes)
Left: T
his one was introduced in 1915 [with the new V-8 engine]
Right: Similar design as used on a motometer of the time

2228mtmt.jpg (2569 bytes)
This  design weas used from 1922-1928
(see also below)

Metrswan.jpg (3479 bytes)    mmeter.jpg (3260 bytes)    motmet2.jpg (3606 bytes)
Left: (repro) backing plate for the motometers of 1916-1919
Center: that motometer as seen from the front of the car
Right:  the same item as viewed from the driver's seat

N.B. the "swans" used on the Cadillac crest in lieu of the
traditional "merlettes"  point to the period 1916-1919
[LH image supplied kindly by Steve Hammatt, Early Cadillac Group ]

MTMETR.JPG (4597 bytes)
This early-style dog bone Motometer was
pictured at the CLC Grand National in 2002

[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]


 

2. The deluxe motometer, circa 1926-27

 

msct18.jpg (3378 bytes)
Last of the Cadillac motometer models; note gold script
This motometer was standard on the Custom line of Cadillac models
in 1926 and 1927, as also on the sport models in the Standard line in 1927

 

 

3. A cast figurine called the Cadillac Herald or Trumpet Tooter, a Canadian accessory house item popular in the late twenties.  This was the first hood ornament to be approved by the Cadillac company.  He heralded the arrival of a great new car: the 1929 Cadillac models.  This little guy wears a herald's tunic with the Cadillac coat of arms in front. There is a reproduction Tooter on the market that was made in the mid to late seventies; it is done well enough to confuse even an astute buyer; the Cadillac crest on the tunic and the ornate dome on which the tooter stands are different from the authentic piece [differences illustrated below]. The most obvious difference is the shape and color of the tunic crest; the base of the shield (crest) on the repro item is curved; it does not come to a "V" point, as on the authentic piece; in addition, the seven-pointed crown on the authentic Tooter   fans out more to left and right. The repro item is chrome-plated with a shiny, brass-like crest; the authentic Tooter is made of polished nickel and the crest is more a dull bronze.

 

29tooter.jpg (7903 bytes)
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

Tootmsct.jpg (4507 bytes)

tootera1.jpg (4307 bytes)    tootera2.jpg (3672 bytes)    tootera3.jpg (3443 bytes)
Three views of an authentic Tooter

Tooter.jpg (4369 bytes)    Tooter2.jpg (4791 bytes)    TOOTER.JPG (5088 bytes)
A reproduction Tooter
You can tell from the coat-of-arms on the tooter's tunic
(far right) that he is a mere replica of the real thing
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

tootera4.jpg (4217 bytes)    tooterx2.jpg (5860 bytes)
Left: the authentic Tooter is polished nickel; the base of the crest comes to a "V"
Right: the repro item is bright chrome; the shield is shiny brass; its base is curved

tootarms.JPG (6988 bytes)
Close-up view of the authentic crest (left) and the repro item (right)

TOOTFALS.JPG (5337 bytes)    30LSMSCT.JPG (7332 bytes)
These mascot figurines were photographed
at the 2002 CLC Grand National in Detroit
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

 

Nota: To see the La Salle figurine formerly shown in this box,
go to the La Salle insignia page

 

 

4. The Cadillac heron hood ornament of 1930-1932. The heron was too reminiscent of the Packard pelican and the Guynemer stork on the Hispano Suiza, so it was withdrawn in 1933 and replaced by a more Art Deco heron [photo to come]. A new Goddess (next item) also made its appearance in 1933, for the V8 and V12 models.  Both new types - as well as a new La Salle Torpedo ornament - were announced in the Nov.-Dec.1932 issue of Accessory Facts, a Cadillac Motor Car Company publication in the interest of accessory sales.


32peli~1.jpg (7463 bytes)
The Cadillac-LaSalle "Pelican"
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

msct3233.jpg (3386 bytes)    msct32he.jpg (2740 bytes)    HeronL.jpg (2964 bytes)
This delicate Heron mascot was used on both Cadillac and La Salle
cars  from 1930 to 1932 (the one in the center  has been repaired);
it was invented by John W. Hession Jr. (see documents below)

HessionHeron1.jpg (10206 bytes)    HessionHeron2.jpg (5333 bytes)

33LasHeron.jpg (14887 bytes)
"Heron" ornament on 1933 LaSalle

msct33ls.jpg (3452 bytes)    32hern.jpg (2838 bytes)
Left: the newly designed Cadillac "Heron" mascot for 1933;
The mascot on the right was for sale on e-Bay, 4/2000;  it looks like a fake;
Matthias, a Database user from Germany suggested, in April 2001,
that this was an authentic Chevrolet Eagle from 1933.  True?

masc38Las.JPG (12863 bytes)
This "Torpedo" ornament was used on La Salles from 1933-1940

 

 

5.  More popular than the heron was the streamlined, mermaid-like Goddess with her hair flowing behind her in the breeze. She was mounted on an Art-Deco base shaped rather like a large sea shell. The Cadillac Goddess was introduced in 1930 and remained available, albeit in various modified forms, from 1933 through 1956 [collectors:  beware of reproduction copies of this mascot].  Originals are marked Design patent 81303 patented on June 3, 1930.  These chrome-plated diecast zinc mascots were made by the Ternstedt Manufacturing Company. The "shell" base of some reproduction items are stamped "7842"; these were made, inter alia, by the Stant Manufacturing Co. of Connersville, IN. An excellent reproduction item was tooled and made by Wilbur Sanders of Dearborn, MI, in 1965.

Late Extra [5/2002]: I was quite surprised, April 9, 2002, when Gita called me down from the GCCP [the Grand Cadillac Command Post!] to watch Martha Stewart's daily show on TV [personally, the woman's boring monotone monologue "irritates" me!]. Among her guests, that day, were an "antique" specialist (a woman) and a guy with a 1930-32 Cadillac Goddess that he wanted to have identified; he said he had paid $4 for it. Immediately, I thought it was a repro but when he turned it over, it did have the Design Patent and the number 81303 etched in the base so it appeared genuine. The "expert" seemed to know her stuff; she ID'd the piece correctly, mentioning the inscriptions on the base; however, she did add that there was a "recent" reproduction on the market, selling for around $400, that had caused a drop in the value of the genuine article.  

I know about the 1965 repro item (that cost around $10 through the seventies although now it might fetch $50-60).  But I never heard of a "current" repro costing around $400! Does such a thing really exist? Is it "perfect" to the point of having the base inscriptions? Does anybody out there have some corroborating facts?

 

 

United States Patent Office
William Schnell of Detroit, Michigan, a Corporation of Michigan

Design for a radiator cap or similar article for an automotive vehicle

Application filed January 25, 1930, Serial number 34,256 Term of Patent 7 years

To all whom it my concern:

Be it known that I, William Schnell, a citizen of the United States, residing at 5571 Clarendon Avenue, Detroit, in the county of Wayne and state of Michigan, have invented a new, original and ornamental Design for a Radiator Cap or similar Article for an Automotive Vehicle, of which the following  is a specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof. 

Fig, 1 [unfortunately not available] is a rear perspective view of a radiator cap or similar article for an automotive vehicle, showing my new design; and Fig, 2 [unfortunately not available] is a front perspective view of the same.

I claim:

The ornamental design for a radiator cap or similar article for an automotive vehicle substantially as shown.

William Schnell

 

30msct.jpg (5401 bytes)    msct30v6.jpg (3910 bytes)

30msctb.jpg (4615 bytes)    30msctc.jpg (6204 bytes)    30msctd.jpg (4866 bytes)
Above two rows show the authentic hood Goddess for the Cadillac V16 models of 1930-1932; its design
patent number (81303) is stamped on the underside of the ornate base (see below) .  A reproduction item
was made in the mid-sixties;  the latter is recognizable by the seam that runs down the center of the mascot
as well as by the absence of any markings on the underside of the "seashell" base

Godss1.jpg (8305 bytes)    msctv630.JPG (4521 bytes)     31goddess.jpg (17088 bytes)
Neither of the two preceding views is very flattering; the intention was to show detail rather
than shape. For a better idea of the shape, see the Franklin miniature item, below [the
Cadillac part number is 887197; this goddess ornament  cost $13.75 in the early thirties]

EMV231.JPG (8688 bytes)
This lovely Goddess was photographed
at the 2002 CLC Grand National in Detroit
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]


Godss2.jpg (35198 bytes)    v630god2.jpg (5438 bytes)
Left: Design #81303, cast in the base
Right: hollow base of repro item

 

One of these authentic goddesses was offered for sale at auction, on eBay, in 2004.  The vendor remarked that it had a serial  number in addition to the design patent number.  I have never seen one numbered before.  The vendor asserted also that replicas start at $450 (!).  IMHO That may be a little on the high side.

Later [July, 2008]: About the 1930-32 "Goddess", I got this new information from CLC member and V-16 enthusiast, Terry Wenger.  He wrote: Attached are a couple of pictures of the Goddess that was installed on my 32-355B when it was new. The factory invoice notes that it was installed then. On the bottom side it has a serial number (01745). This number does not correspond to any other number on the car, but apparently is the serial no. put on by the maker of the ornament. I have been told that the Goddesses that were factory installed have the serial number. If the goddess was installed by the dealer, it has no serial number. I have never seen any positive proof of this. But now you know the serial number does exist. I have included Terry's pictures in the box, below.

Later [July, 2009]: I was told that the original 1930-32 Cadillac Goddess  was made by the Stant Manufacturing Co. of Connersville, Indiana (Part #C-3196?).  One owner has such a mascot with the number 00235 stamped on the underside.

30Goddess1.jpg (6363 bytes)    30Goddess2.jpg (5223 bytes)
CLC member, Terry Wenger, kindly supplied these two pics of the underside
of the "Goddess" that was factory-installed on his 1932 V-8; mascots installed

at the factory apparently were cold-stamped, thus, with an individual serial-number
[ Photos: © 2008, Terry Wenger ] 


This one is on a 1932 Cadillac V-16 all-weather phaeto

 

 

Both the Heron and Goddess ornaments, above, were born of the imagination of Cadillac stylists; they represent nothing else but beauty and grace, the principal attributes of Cadillac cars in the thirties and later!

6.  In 1933 the Cadillac Goddess was re-styled for the V16 models; "she" had short hair, full breasts and outspread "wings" formed by the flowing material of her "gown".  With her stylized wings she was very similar to the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy.   She was available through the 1937 model year in silver plate (part #894784 - $45) or gold-plate (part #883731 - $50).

The in-house bulletin, Accessory Facts for November-December 1932 describes the company's new ornament policy for 1933. Illustrated are the new Cadillac V-16 "Goddess" (below),  the redesigned Cadillac V-8 and V-12 "Heron" and the all-new La Salle "Torpedo".  The accompanying text reads:

With the showing of the new Cadillacs and La Salles for 1933 three new and distinctive radiator ornaments will be announced. They are the new Goddess, a refined Heron, and a new Torpedo ornament - distinctively styled in pace with the distinguished beauty of the new cars.

The new Goddess is one of the most, if nottzhe most,  beautiful ornaments ever created for a motor car - and as expected - is created for the exclusive adornment of the new Custom Cadillac V-Sixteen. Its rare beauty and heavy gold plate [the Goddess was available also in chrome] will identify the new V-Sixteen to the most casual observer.

The revised Heron ornament is executed  in the modernistic trend of styling. Its smooth, gently curved surfaces  finished in bright chromium make it symbolic of all that Cadillac stands for. It was developed especially for the new Cadillac V-Eight and V-Twelve.

The new Torpedo, an addition to the line - is quite frankly modernistic. When seen in motion on the car its rugged, powerful form seems to sharply cleave the air. As the new La Salle is styled to appeal to the younger smart set - so is this ornament designed to accentaute that appeal. It was conceived to match those characteristics of this outstanding new La Salle.

It is the belief of the management that creating an ornament specifically for a particular model and confining installation of that ornament to those particluar cars, will serve the dual purpose of furthering the distinctiveness of each line and more easily identify them in the minds of the observer. Fo that reason the Cadillac Goddess is exclusively for the new V-Sixteen - the new Cadillac Heron for the Cadillac V-Twelve and V-Eight - and the new Torpedo for the new La Salle. It is strongly recommended that no variation be made from this policy except where absolutely necessary. It is not anticipated that more than a very few of such cases may occur.

The new heron and torpedo ornaments will be priced at $20.00, the same as before.

 

 

msct35ch.jpg (5642 bytes)     Msct3316.jpg (6365 bytes)     v6GoldMsct2.jpg (4398 bytes)     34emb2.jpg (7068 bytes)
The Cadillac part number is  #894784 (silver) and  883731 (gold);
in the early thirties, these Goddess ornaments cost $45 (silver finish) and $50 (gold finish);
Try finding one for these prices today!
on the right, for example, is a gold one, mounted on a desk-top pen holder;
it was  offered for sale on Ebay in 2008 with a Buy-it-Now price of ...$1,500!
The vendor estimated that only 30-50 of these "gold" ones were made; his carries #10
[ Photos: © 1998, Yann Saunders ]

MSCT3336.JPG (4299 bytes)     MSC3336B.JPG (2751 bytes)   
Mounted on a stand, the V-16 mascot would make an elegant book-end

34-37goddess.jpg (16601 bytes)
A beautiful complement to an exceptional car

 

Caution: Reproductions of the 1933-1937 Cadillac Goddess in both chrome and gold finish were available in the late sixties from a Mr. Wm. Scherer, of Harper Woods, MI.  Exercise caution, therefore, when buying what mayy LOOK like a factory original.   Unfortunately, I have no photo or detailed description of the repro item

 

    
Here's an interesting photo of a (non-Cadillac) pedal car wearing what appears to be a 1933 Cadillac hood mascot
[ Photo and enlargement: Courtesy "The Old Motor.com", 2012 ]

 


7.  The regular 1934 Cadillac Goddess was slimmed down [V-8 part #1405985 before engine #3105001 and V-12 before engine #4100701; after these engine numbers, the part lists as #1412026]

 

34orna.jpg (3128 bytes)    godunkn.jpg (3226 bytes)
1934 hood mascot

 

 

8.  The Goddess used on the V-Sixteen models was streamlined even more in 1938 and used on the Sixteens of 1938-1940 (part #1426520). Gone are the lovely curls and the more generous body curves of the 1933 Goddess!

 

    Msct4016.jpg (7150 bytes)    V639LRGE.JPG (5800 bytes)
Photo, left: © 1999, Yann Saunders
[ Photo, right: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

 

 

9.  The 1936-1937 Cadillac mascots returned to a slimmer, more elongated shape. I believed, in error, that the Goddess had been given a glass wing, in 1936, in lieu of the robes or hair that used to flow in the breeze. I was put right by CLC member, Terry Wenger, who wrote (in July, 2008): You show a '36 V-8 and V-12 Goddess with a glass vane. I have never seen a '36 with a glass vane, they all look like the other ones you have pictured. In the parts book, the '37, '38 ,'39 and '40 Goddesses are listed as having a glass vane, but the '36 does not. In the parts book the glass vane is listed as a separate part with different part numbers for '37, '38 & '39-'40. There is none listed for '36.  The parts book lists the number as 141 6230, costing $13.75. 

 

36MSCTE.JPG (3253 bytes)    36goddess.jpg (8882 bytes)
The correct 1936 mascot, with short hair;
part #141 6230

36mscta.jpg (3160 bytes)    36msctb.jpg (5597 bytes)

36msctd.jpg (4620 bytes)    36msctc.jpg (3513 bytes)
Above two rows show a 1936 Cadillac mascot that I have not been able to identify
from the visible (part of the) serial number (seen here as "4276")

36msct.jpg (4221 bytes)
I don't recall where nor when I got this pic,
described as a 1936 Goddess; the glass vane
should NOT be there according to the Master Parts List

 

 

10.  By 1937 the Goddess hair had grown longer and she had acquired a glass vane with three engraved horizontal lines to depict a bird's feathers (?). The part number shows up in the MPL as 142 0642, costing $15.   Today, you might expect to pay more than ten times that price for a nice original. By 1940 she would become very long and low, as would her glass "wing".

 

msct36x.JPG (6204 bytes)    37goddessaa.jpg (12151 bytes)    37MSCOT.JPG (5689 bytes)

msct37d.jpg (5886 bytes)    36EMFRT.JPG (6908 bytes)
1937 hood mascot, with engraved glass wing
Photo
(left):  © 1999, Yann  Saunders; photo (right):  © 2002, J. Scott Harris

36EMBYE.JPG (6344 bytes)    37masc.jpg (6937 bytes)

 

 

11.  The mascot for 1938 was lower and sleeker;  the "hair" was about the same length as the previous year.   The glass wing remained but the engraved "feathers" were gone.   The part number is listed as 142 6147, costing $15.

 

38emb.jpg (12071 bytes)    Msct38.jpg (4945 bytes)    msct38b.JPG (8881 bytes)

40gdess.jpg (13076 bytes)    msct40d.jpg (6611 bytes)
Photos: © 1999, Yann Saunders

 

 

12.  Regular Cadillacs of the 1939 and 1940 model year followed with the tradition of the glass-winged Goddess.  Lines became smoother, with no markings or engravings for the hair or wing.  The part number is listed as 142 9756, costing $13.75.

 

40EMLRG.JPG (7071 bytes)
Photo:  © 2002, J. Scott Harris

39emb.jpg (12411 bytes)      em40msct.jpg (4921 bytes)     Msct40.jpg (7053 bytes)
Photo (right): © 1999, Yann Saunders

em40gld.jpg (5798 bytes)
So far as I can tell from the Master Parts List, the 1940
hood goddess was not offered in gold finish (this is a later modification)

 

 

13.  The mascot used on Cadillac cars of 1941 and 42 was, in fact, the handle for the latch mechanism to lock and release the motor hood.   Probably the most ornate of all the mascots was the 1941 model.  Like the one for 1942 it was cast in one piece, integral with the hood latch mechanism, which makes it difficult to exhibit simply as an art object, unless you build a large, box-like base to conceal the bulky mechanism2. The part number is listed as 144 2135, costing $13.75. In the 1950 MPL it lists as #363 0029, for $18.25.

 

41msct.jpg (10905 bytes)

Msct41.jpg (6293 bytes)    msct41a.JPG (7083 bytes)
Above: the authentic mascot for 1941 with latch mechanism and inner wing "feathers" (right) 
Below:  a replica mascot of the late seventies (no mechanism and usually smooth inner wings)

Fake41.jpg (7483 bytes)

msct41fk.JPG (4311 bytes)      41fkd.jpg (4737 bytes)
Two different styles of the light-weight, fake mascot marketed in the seventies
by GEM Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Chicago, IL [box cover, top photo]
[ Photos: © 1999, Yann Saunders ]

5875EMB.JPG (7657 bytes)
The replica '41 emblem regained  popularity among Cadillac cutomizers
in the early seventies.  This one gives a retro look to a 1958 custom Cadillac limousine

[ Photo:  Internet, 2004 ]

 

2  In the seventies, the 1941 mascot became a popular accessory with many customizers.  A light-weight replica was made; it sold by the hundreds.  The replica is usually easy to recognize because the interior of the wings are smooth, although I have seen one with inner "feathers", suggesting there may have been two versions; the repro mascot is hollow (light-weight) and smaller (shorter) than the original.  In addition, there is no base (i.e. no integral hood latch mechanism)

 

14.  The 1942 Goddess grew wider and lower. She was also less ornate, with straight hair and long airplane-type wings. The part numbers listed are #1444407 (chrome finish) and #144 7385 (gold-bronze finish);  both listed for $13.75.

 

msct42.jpg (11335 bytes)
This is the hood mascot off my 1942 Fleetwood formal sedan, style 7519F;
] Photos: © 1996, Yann Saunders ]

42myst.jpg (12922 bytes)
This "1942" mascot was offered for sale on e-Bay in 2000;
although similar to the one atop my car, the part number (#144 4490)
was not found in the Master Parts List for that year

42mscpnt.JPG (4184 bytes)
During WW2, chrome was a precious commodity not to be wasted on
mere automobiles; Cadillac participated in the drive to conserve chrome by
avoiding its use on a final run of some 2000 cars (the 60S, 61, 62, 63, 67 and 75s)
These cars make up a "B" group (regular models make up the "A" group)
This mascot is painted wartime, drab olive gray, like the rest of the car
[ Photo: © 2002, J. Scott Harris ]

 


[ Click here to view the La Salle
hood mascots: 1927-1940 ]

 

15.  From 1946 through 1956 the Cadillac Goddess grew even wider, longer and much sleeker.  The hair turned into broad wings and she also took on lovely, smooth facial features, not to mention a bosom that might have put to shame Ms. Ruth Egnor, better known as TV's Dagmar   who's particular body endowments resembled closely the protruding, bullet-shaped bumper guards of the 1954-1956 Cadillacs (in fact, these are commonly referred to as Dagmars).  Just looking at the '55 Cadillac bumper extensions is enough to convince one that the designer of that front clip was obsessed - as I am too - by those delightful attributes of the female form!

 

4647msc1.jpg (4262 bytes)
Unlike the 1941-42 mascots, the 1946-47 model
could be unbolted from the lower latch mechanism;

the 1950 MPL lists the part as #3507577, costing $16.60;
the 1948-49 mascot was part #1453909; it cost $8.60
in 1950 it changed to part #1456357 and the price went up 20 cents

49msct.jpg (5209 bytes)
1949 mascot

msct51.jpg (3885 bytes)     msct5152.jpg (4646 bytes)
Cadillac hood mascot for 1951-52, from two different frontal angles

msct52.jpg (3914 bytes)     msct515b.jpg (3933 bytes)

msct55a.JPG (40516 bytes)     msct55b.JPG (32198 bytes)

msct4656.JPG (8799 bytes)
Upper two photos:  Internet.   Lower photo: © 1998, Yann Saunders

msct53a.jpg (3531 bytes)     msct53b.jpg (3083 bytes)      msct4856.jpg (3362 bytes)
1953 hood mascot

msct50s.jpg (3727 bytes)

Msct54b.jpg (3511 bytes)    54goddess.jpg (8443 bytes)
1954 [rounded shoulders]

55msct.jpg (6222 bytes)    55msct2.jpg (3833 bytes)
1955 hood mascot

msct56b.jpg (5139 bytes)

56godes.jpg (6337 bytes)
[Above two rows]: 1956 hood mascot [long tail]

 

 

16.  Standard Cadillac models lost the Goddess hood ornament in 1957, when she was replaced by a simple pair of upright wings. However, on the bespoke Eldorado Brougham models [only 99 built], a long, narrow, very sleek Goddess was mounted. Although highly streamlined, nonetheless, it was reminiscent of the Goddess styles used on the Cadillacs of the late forties through the mid-fifties.



msct59br.jpg (9236 bytes)     orn59eb.jpg (7480 bytes)
Left: this image appears in the 1959 Cadillac Data Book
Right: The last Cadillac Goddess, was mounted on the bespoke 1959 Eldorado Brougham models
this one from ill-fated car #67 of the 99 units built that year

 

 

17.  With the exception of the 1959 Eldorado Brougham, the Cadillac Eldorado models did away with the Goddess for good, in 1956. She was replaced  by two, small upright wings.

 

Msct57.jpg (6471 bytes)       crs56el.JPG (3874 bytes)
Photo:  Yann Saunders collection


 

 

18.  On the  1957 and 1958 Eldorado models, these protruding wings were installed in pairs at the leading edge of the front fenders.  Gone was the Cadillac hood mascot as we had known it for some thirty years. 

 

msct57el.jpg (7637 bytes)
Image: 1957 Cadillac product brochure

 

 

 

Late-Model stand-up crest emblems



crst72.JPG (3954 bytes)         em88spec.jpg (4800 bytes)
Left and center: bare, see-through crest for the 1974 De Ville d'Elégance and others1
Right: gold-finished stand-up crest from 1988 Spring Edition Coupe de Ville

1 Previously I had shown this crest as being available in 1972. Wrong! Enthusiast Tim Stephens of Belgium sent these corrections in May, 2003: The hood ornament shown [left, above] was only available for the 1974-1977 models, and then only for the deVille d'Elégance (sedan or coupe) and the Coupe deVille Cabriolet (half-vinyl-roof) package in 1974-76. The 1977 deVille d'Elégance models also carried this see-thru chromed ornament, and it was not repeated for 1978, by which time the full-colour crest-only ornament was on all deVilles, d'Elégance or standard.  Thanks Tim. Much appreciated.

 

 

 

[ Click here to view the La Salle
hood mascots: 1927-1940 ]

 

Trivia (1):  In 1983, before my 1960   Eldorado Biarritz could be licensed for use in Switzerland, it had to be inspected by the Bureau des Automobiles in Geneva (I guess that would equate with America's Department of Motor Vehicles - DMV).  The safety-conscious inspectors declared that I would have to lower the front-fender, tell-tale directional signal light housings from three down to two centimeters (i.e. from about 1½ inches to "only" ¾ of an inch!  But worse than that, they said I would have to round off the tips of the rear fins.  A long correspondence ensued with the inspectorate in which I sent a couple of dozen photos of various collectible Cadillacs of the fifties and sixties that had been duly licensed to operate in Switzerland and that had equally "offensive" fins and other dangerous protrusions.  In the end, thank goodness, I was allowed to keep the car in the same condition it had been built at the plant!

Trivia (2):   In 1995, I visited the new Automobile Museum at Geneva (near the airport at Cointrin).  Part of the exhibit at that time was a showcase full of car mascots, including a few from Cadillac and La Salle cars.  I did not have a camera with me but I did note many erroneous descriptions (90% of them, in fact):   #6  was described as a 1937-38 model; it was, in fact, from  1936;  #7 was marked 1952, although it was used on Cadillacs from 1946-1956 [except on the 1956 Eldorado];  #8 was identified as a Cadillac mascot but it was not one of them; #9 was marked 1929-30 when in fact it was from 1938-40;  #35 was marked La Salle 1936; in fact it was from the 1940 car.

 


More "interesting" hood mascots on Cadillacs

hood_or2.jpg (7744 bytes)
This attractive hood mascot was spotted on a 1968 Cadillac De Ville
convertible in California;  the owner could not be coerced into divulging
the name of the accessory house where he got this lovely Goddess

marilyn_monroe2.jpg (13713 bytes)
This one was sent in by my brother, Alain, who knows my affection for
and attraction to the "Dagmar"; unfortunately I had to  censor the image
[ Does anyone know the car ? It appears to carry black CA tags ]


Mexican "Goddess" ... a real-live chihuaha

 

 

Further interesting reading about hood mascots:

(1)  Book Car mascots by Giuseppe di Sirignano & David Sulzberger, Crescent books, NY, 1977
(2)  Cadillac - Standard of the World, The Complete Seventy-Five Year History, Maurice D. Hendry, Princeton Publishing,
       1st edition 1973 (SBN 0-525-10650-2) - many re-prints since 1973

 

 

FRFLAG.JPG (773 bytes)
(résumé en français)

Cette page est consacrée aux figurines de proue qui ont orné les capots des automobiles Cadillac et La Salle depuis les années vingt.

Au début des années vingt les capots étaient surmontés d'un bouchon de radiateur faisant office de thermomètre pour le liquide de refroidissement.   Certains étaient très décoratifs.

Plus tard ces thermomètres furent remplacés par une jauge de température au tableau de bord.  L'espace vide laissé par l'absence de ce thermomètre fut très vite comblé par les diverses figurines de proue que l'on peut admirer ci-dessus.

 

 

Go back to the Cadillac insignia index page
or return to the "Miscellaneous Cadillac Stuff" index page
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The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image:  the beautiful Goddess mounted on the hood of the Sixteens for 1933 ]