1949 Hood Emblem?????

From Desoto Passenger Car Parts List Model Series S-13 issued August 1949

From p179

Hood Medallion and Emblem

15-06-18 Hood front medallion 1252 688 1

EXCEPT the picture shows a shaped plate that attached to the chrome base

Tim, Bob,

I sold my parts list with my 1949 car in 1998, but I do recall from my days of 1949 ownership that two types of front hood ornaments were used on those cars during production. I never figured out if the ornaments were changed during production, or were specific to assembly plants- LA vs Detroit. Type 1 ornaments were old school and included a cloisonné- that is- glazed enamel crest with a raised bust of Hernando set in a chrome frame with wings on the side. Pat Bisson's car has this type, and I mentioned it in my photo on the photos tab. The second type was a new-school plastic jewel style ornament with an embossed, vacuum chromed, and painted rear that was attached through the rear of a chrome winged frame. From a distance the two look the same. Close up, the type 1 is far more elegant. My car had the second type. I believe this bust is part of the assembly of a type 1 ornament- fitting over the cloisonné crest, and holding it to the chrome frame.

Tim, Bob,

It turns out I did not sell that parts list with my 49. It was my younger brother's and he still has it. He was a parts man for Chrysler dealers during the late 1970's and early 1980's , and accumulated many obsolete dealer parts books, including a 1939-1950 "all cars" book. Using both his books, we were able to find complete part numbers for both types of front emblems. Here is a sketch I made of the emblem and the parts involved in assembling complete versions of both types.

Tim,

I know you have a 1949, so I thought I would upload a photo of the front of my old 1949. This one was taken in 1983 or so. This car has the plastic type ornament. You can maybe zoom in on it and get an idea what it looks like. If you want a photo of the Cloisonné type, There is a front photo of Pat Bisson's 1949 coupe in the gallery tab of this website. It is in the 1949-1954 car section.

Thanks, Brent!

I need to shuffle through boxes and educate myself on what I may or may not have for my car. It's a basket case that I helped my dad create in 1991 or so. When my mom passed, he gave it to me. That was 2004 or so. As if I remember how it goes back together!

Brent: Thanks for the sketch, I totally mis-read the picture in the parts book