Plastic Hood Ornament

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DeSoto- ... 3a6c4b576d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-Desoto-NEW ... 3cbfd9685a

I am pretty sure he is talking about this ornament.
It was used on all 1942 (s10) and optional on 1946-48 (s11) models.
I thought someone was remaking them a few years ago but I was never able to track down who. It is just like the chrome ornament but has much more detail. Back in the 80s I took a NOS one into a plastic injection mold company to inquire about reproducing them and the guy looked in amazement at it that they were able to make it in the 40s because he couldn't do it.

Of course with modern technology they could be easily made today with silicone rubber molding technology. Does anyone have a NOS piece I could borrow to make a mold?

Lee, you are correct, that is the plastic ornament I am talking about. I have attached a picture of the original chrome ornament and base along with the base off my 48 parts car. The 48 had the plastic ornament but the only thing left was a small piece. I think I'll try casting a new plastic ornament using my chrome ornament as a pattern. Am I to assume the plastic ornament was basically the same as the chrome one? And was it originally clear? I've never seen one in person.

Ho-Ho-Ho

The Club's 1942 Tech states The '42 5th Ave's
were the only one to have the Plastic/ lighted
Hood Ornament. After WWII it became an
option on The Custom's ( The 5th Ave went
away ).

The Club's Library will give you a copy of a
1947 De Soto Corperation Letter stating as
of August 1947 they will no longer sell this
item.

Driver's with the Post War De Lux purchased
this item to place on their hood.

And this is a good reason they are hard to find.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

The plastic hood ornament had a small section that extended lower than the chrome ornament and came closer the the light that was used to illuminate it. If you are going the re-chrome one of your ornaments anyway you might have the chrome shop strip the old chrome off first to expose more of the fine detail that is lost in the plating process before you make the mold off of it.

I am sure someone has a photo of the plastic ornament that shows the extended base.

I am pretty sure that the notice from 1947 is the one I donated to the club years ago. But you also need to remember that if a dealer had one on the shelf and the customer wanted it they would sell it to them even if the factory quit selling them. Kind of like putting a Highway HIFI in a 1958. It would not be a factory option but the dealer isn't going to pass up the opportunity for the profit

If anyone has a NOS ornament or damn nice original that they will loan me I can cast replacements. I have many years experience in silicone rubber molds and casting. No damage will be done to the original

I surfed the web a little and found a photo.
This one has the tail broken off but shows the extended portion I was talking about.

Lee, thanks for all the great info and picture. I have a decent ornament and my plan is to get the chrome stripped off, repair any small pits, then cast my own plastic version. I'd like to at least give it a shot. When I'm done I'd be happy to loan you my pattern. If I fail maybe I'll have you make one for me, for a price of course. This might be a good project to reproduce for other S11 owners who may want to buy one. I could supply the bracket, socket, wiring etc...

Lee, thanks for all the great info and picture. I have a decent ornament and my plan is to get the chrome stripped off, repair any small pits, then cast my own plastic version. I'd like to at least give it a shot. When I'm done I'd be happy to loan you my pattern. If I fail maybe I'll have you make one for me, for a price of course. This might be a good project to reproduce for other S11 owners who may want to buy one. I could supply the bracket, socket, wiring etc...

I have been contacted by another forum/club member that said he is willing to loan me his original plastic hood ornament for the project. I will post on this thread when it comes in and as the project progresses.
Yes I would need the bulb holder socket and wiring to complete the offering. Lets see what happens?

Ho-Ho-Ho

We have had an 1947 Custom for some time now.
Here is the Hood Ornament .

Rodger & Gabby
COS

Ho-Ho-Ho

We have had an 1947 Custom for some time now.
Here is the Hood Ornament .

Rodger & Gabby
COS

Nice looking piece!

Can anyone tell me what was the outcome of this venture? How about it Rodger? I have one that I purchased off ebay with a small crack in the middle of it. There is no other cracks or pieces missing. Would be interested in buying one without the crack and with the lighting kit.

Hola Yo'll

Yes I offered to permit my Plastic Hood Ornament to be used as a
sample/ guide so that others could be made from it. This can still
be used if some one needs an original item.

I will send the complete item to some one who is going to do this.

....................
The last time I made this offer --- it seemed to "die on the vine".

Rodger & Gabby
Colo Spgs

Rodger,

Got to thinking what it would take to make reproductions of the plastic lady. I have a friend in the ceramic mold business that also makes rubber molds for resin statues.

I've got a call into him and told his partner what I wanted to try. They are going to get their brains together and come up with a few ideas before calling me back. Once I hear from them, I'll be sending my lady to them for molds to be sent to me or they will figure out their cost for a production run. I told them that they would want to look at a minimum of 100. Think that would be a good figure?

I want to talk with them about the other hood ornaments(Hernando's head) and tail light lens. They have told me they are in a pretty closed business and are looking for a new avenue to step into.

Hello all, I see no big problems for me to make this or any other Desoto Emblem that you need, just need something decent to work with and you know i do quality, cheap no, but quality ( well way cheaper than the other mob that make emblems ) just let me know if you want me to do it, George.