Extinct Car Features Only Boomers Remember

There was a time when nearly every car brand had its own hood ornament—a sculpted symbol that stood proudly at the end of the hood like a crown. From Cadillac’s goddess to Pontiac’s Native American profile to the leaping Jaguar, these emblems weren’t just branding—they were art.

Drivers saw them bob with the road, guiding the car like a figurehead on a ship. Some were aerodynamic, others extravagant, but all lent a touch of ceremony to daily driving. As safety regulations changed and theft became common, the hood ornament faded.