As some of you know, me and the legendary Davey G (Johnson) have fruitful automotive discussions from time to time. Of course, sometimes, not so fruitful. Regardless, and/or apropos, we were talking about how 80% of the exterior shots in Starsky & Hutch were (probably) filmed in Davey’s old stomping ground — San Pedro, CA. It was an odd afternoon to begin with — we learned that Ron Asheton died and while he didn’t live in Pedro, Mike Watt now plays bass for the Stooges and in many ways Watt is Pedro. Anyhow, I mentioned that all I’d been thinking about lately are American hood ornaments from the 40s and 50s. Davey mentioned that the one off the 1953 Pontiac Chieftain (you’re looking at it) is the very coolest hood ornament of all time, screw the Spirit of Ecstasy. While it’s true that (contrary to popular myth) the 1953 hoodie was the last of the amber Indians to light up, I don’t think it’s the coolest. And I told Davey as much.
This is the head hoodie from a 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe. I’m pretty sure if you didn’t opt for “Deluxe” you just got a boring old solid chrome Chief Pontiac ornament. And we’re talking a $20, perhaps $25 option. Can you imagine how sad and lonely the people were that opted against the amber? Oh yeah, Davey and I didn’t even talk about this one — I just think that fair is fair and that it was worthy of a mention.
This was my vote for coolest hood ornament ever. It’s from the brand new for 1954 Pontiac Star Chief. You will notice that the wings have gone from the straight up and down pre-war aesthetic to essentially aping a Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing. But with a crazy long tail. Admittedly this isn’t the greatest picture of the ornament, but I think you catch my drift. Davey — naturally — didn’t.
This is Davey’s choice — the nose of a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief — the same, chrome-sided car that Dezzy Desi and Lucy “drove” out to Hollywood. As you can see, the plane part of the hoodie is no longer bat shaped, but instead has morphed into the more conventional shape of a Boeing 707. Still amazing, but, well, you can decide. Here’s a group shot to help you choose:
But you know what? Forget about which one is cooler, as that’s like figuring out how many angels can fit on the head of a pin. Instead, think about what it means to now live in a world where no corporation in its right mind would ever do something as bold, daring and beautiful as mounting an amber Indian Chief’s head to the front of a jet and sticking it on a car. Sad, no? And if you want bonus points — what sort of car do you think Ron Asheton drove?
Posted By: Jonny Lieberman | 12 Comments »
Tags: Chieftain Chieftain Deluxe Davey G Johnson Hood Ornament Mike Watt Pontiac Pontiac Chieftain Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe Pontiac Hood Ornament Pontiac Star Chief Ron Asherton Star Chief The Stooges
I like the 1950 version. It still has the wings but also has a cool Retro (For 1950) art deco feel. It looks like it came right out of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis
That 1951 version would be bad ass on flat black hotrod pontiac.
51
The ‘53 is the one to have, from behind the wheel it looks just like the gunsight off an old fighter plane. When it’s lit up at night, and the stunning dash and gauges are glowing, the world is at peace and America builds the greatest cars on the planet again.
I dunno about “Ron Asherton” but Ron Asheton certainly drove a 1969 model. Something that put lots of raw power down on the street.
And the lack of Indian-head ornamentals? No fun, my babe. No fun.
Flat black? Maybe on a Chevy 210, but not on a Pontiac (or Buick, or Olds, or Caddy, or…)
Yeah flat black! Think ratrod/hotrod and low to the ground.
ConnorDWA, google image flat black hot rod and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Whichever one glowed the brightest is my pick.
snep, I have seen enough flat black hot rods to fill a lifetime, at Paso/Billetproof/Pleasanton etc. I’m just really tired of the ratrod look, most of the time it is an excuse for shoddy workmanship and unfinished cars. The Pontiac’s of this era are so well-detailed, the upholstery/door panels/dash/trim/body lines/ etc. are wonderfully designed, the car deserves more than rattlecan black, imo.
$20-25 in 1951 is $150-200 in 2007 dollars. At the time, choosing the light-amber hood ornament must have been like choosing the light up cupholders in a Scion.
Really, I’m just trying to defend the honor of Star Chief buyers.
Also, ‘51.
The ‘51, because it sacrificed just enough function for form: It’s just waiting to be broken off, but still looks robust and defiant. The ‘53, with its affixed wings, looks like Billy would break it off when getting the snow shovel out of the garage.