Whether you are looking for a new hood ornament for your Peterbilt or you've decided that it's time to replace your old one, you should know a few things.
The Story Behind The Peterbilt Hood Ornaments
During the heyday of the automotive industry, hood ornaments were trendy. They were designed to represent the personality of the truck. For example, the Goddess of Speed ornament was a woman holding a tire. A similar design was the Spirit of Ecstasy on Rolls Royce cars. However, manufacturers began making their hood ornaments safe as safety concerns mounted.
Peterbilt built the first all-aluminum tilt hood in 1965. It also pioneered the use of aluminum for payload capacities. This model was the first to offer an aerodynamic cab-over-engine tractor. The cab-over-engine design anticipated highway length limits, and the aerodynamics helped increase the popularity of these vehicles.
The Peterbilt Model 386 was designed to be environmentally friendly. The truck was the first to offer air disc brakes. The 387 and 385 were also provided with compressed natural gas.
Peterbilt has a long history of manufacturing trucks. The company was founded in 1939 in Oakland, California. Initially, the company manufactured logging equipment. It was later purchased by Pacific Car & Foundry, later renamed PACCAR. The company's headquarters are now in Denton, Texas. Peterbilt's facility in Denton opened in 1980. It closed its Madison facility in 2009 and has since relocated to Denton.
Peterbilt is now one of the longest-running rivals in the American truck manufacturing industry. Its trucks are renowned for their maneuverability. It was also one of the first companies to offer a dual-drive truck, a type of truck with two drives.
The Hood Ornament Is The New Thing
Earlier this year, Peterbilt debuted a Blackout Exterior Package for their Model 579. It features a black effect exterior paint and Alcoa Dura Black matte-aluminum wheels. In addition, it comes with floor mats and seat covers. This is an excellent way to give your rig a touch of personality. However, finding the right Peterbilt accessories can take some work.
One of the most popular hood ornaments of the last century was the 'leaping greyhound.' The design was based on the same technology used to produce the 'leaping man' from the Rolls-Royce car. It was also the first of its kind to be mass-produced.
The hood ornament was also a popular novelty item in the 1920s and 1950s. In the early 1900s, a company called the Boyce MotoMeter Company developed a revolutionary radiator cap with a thermometer. This technological breakthrough made it much easier for drivers to fill their coolant up when their engines were hot.
The same company also made a hood ornament that was a technological wonder and a surprisingly practical invention. The hood decoration was a cylinder that could be mounted on the car's hood.
The hood ornament is still used today by only a few manufacturers. It is now safe to install and has become a part of the car's design.
One of the last century's most popular and impressive hood ornaments was a hood ornament produced by Jaguar. These hood ornaments were available in 1938 and cost two extra guineas.
Why The Hood Ornaments On Trucks Are So Retro Cool
Among the most popular automotive accessories in the past were car hood ornaments. These were also known as radiator caps. They were initially designed to help drivers monitor the temperature of the car's radiator.
The most popular hood ornaments of the era were made of glass. Rene Lalique produced the best known in France. Other companies also made glass mascots. These include Persons Majestic in the U.S. and Red Ashay in England.
Hood ornaments were also an excellent way for automakers to promote their products. These were often designed to compliment the car's unique emblem. In many cases, the hood ornament was a stand-up model.
Today, hood ornaments are very rare. Utilitarian vents usually replace them. Some heavy truck hood ornaments have religious or religious-inspired themes. Others are just larks.
During the 1920s and '30s, car hood ornaments were standard equipment on most vehicles. Some models, such as the eagle and train mash-up on a Chevrolet, were unique. The Buick Goddess mascot, a dancer, was an example of a hood ornament.
In the '80s, hood ornaments became a fashion statement. The trend was short-lived. As pedestrian safety became a concern, manufacturers moved away from these ornaments and adopted more practical alternatives. Today, most car hood ornaments are decorative rather than functional.
One of the most beautiful hood ornaments is the Packard Donut Chaser. This design features a winged woman, arms stretched forward, holding "the donut." The plan also has a little shaky, but it is still impressive.
Hood Ornaments Through The Decades
An aftermarket Peterbilt 379 hood ornament can be an excellent way to add style to your rig. These ornaments can be easily installed. A chrome cross on the hood can also remind you of your faith.
Alfred Fellows Masury, a chief engineer for the Mack truck company, designed the first hood ornament on record. This was a surprisingly effective and practical piece of design. It was created in 1932. In 1933, Masury died in a U.S. Navy airship in Akron.
One of the more popular hood ornaments of the past was the leaning greyhound. This hood ornament was only in production for about ten years, but it was the best. This hood ornament was modeled after the Leaping Greyhound, a mascot from the early 1900s.
Another hood ornament was a mirror radiator cap. This was an excellent design feature to look like the engine thermometer. It sat on the hood of the car outside of the grille. It was an impressive feat of design and a clever gimmick.
Another hood ornament was a Leaping Ram, an ornamental representation of the Dodge logo. It was a reasonably streamlined design used on cars and trucks from 1932 until the early 1950s. It was the most popular hood ornament of its era.
This Is The Future Of The Hood Ornament
Earlier this year, Peterbilt announced the debut of a Blackout Exterior Package for its Model 579 pickup. This package features a black finish grille crown and Alcoa Dura-Black matte-aluminum wheels. It perfectly complements the new exterior styling and aerodynamic design of the Model 579.
The Blackout Exterior Package isn't the first time Peterbilt has shown its appreciation for the historical role of the hood ornament in American trucking. Several company lineup models have been upgraded with bubble-nose and cab-over-engine designs. In the 1960s, Peterbilt updated models with lightweight aluminum cabs and bird hood ornaments.
The hood ornament craze began when cars began to have radiator caps outside the hood. This made it easier for drivers to pour coolant into the radiator as the engine heated. This became a key selling point for future automobiles.
Rudolph Valentino originally designed a hood ornament with blood-tipped fangs for his Isotta Fraschini roadster. This hood ornament remains a popular option for modern vehicles.
The hood ornaments that Peterbilt currently offers are easy to install and add a stylish touch to any rig. They are also legal. They come with breakaway nylon fittings to break on impact. They are also easy to clean and maintain.
A hood ornament is a perfect accessory for a pickup truck. It adds a personal touch to the rig and makes the driver feel like a big shot.
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Want To Install A Hood Ornament On Your Peterbilt?
Adding a hood ornament to your rig is an excellent way to customize your truck and add a whimsy to your ride. Adding a hood decoration is easier than you might think. The best hood ornaments are made from high-grade aluminum and are reasonably priced. There are dozens of semi-truck hood ornaments on the market. You can also buy a hood ornament that has been custom designed for your particular model. The best ones are crafted from a combination of aircraft-grade aluminum and brushed steel and are available for most models.
Aside from the typical hood ornament, there are also several unique ways to personalize your rig. For example, you can choose to purchase a hood ornament that has been designed to fit your model's exact measurements. These hood ornaments are available for most models and are a good value for the money. You may customize the hood ornament with your personal touch by choosing from various finishes. Whether you choose a custom or stock hood ornament, you will undoubtedly be rewarded with a truck that looks and feels like it's been built just for you.
The best part about purchasing a hood ornament is that it will be easy to swap out if your rig ever needs a facelift. The only drawback is that the hood ornament will be permanently attached to your rig, and you may need to spend some time removing it if you ever sell your vehicle.