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Well, no responses to my post asking for guesses as to what car make had the red hood ornament - well, here's a clue (a photo of the car)...

I’m a car guy to the bone.

But I really don’t know what make and model that is. I can say it is from around the 1940’s.

And it looks awesome.

So what is it?

Originally, I also had no clue - but the third time I walked by the car (in the daylight for a change) I was able to look inside and in the center of the steering wheel I got a clue - there was a hammer and sickle insignia. Did some online research and figured out it's a Russian Zis which was *designed* to look like a 1940's Packard.

I found it amusing to look at photos of Russian cars from the 40's, 50's and 60's - most of them look almost exactly like American cars.

The scroll of Mercury, the messenger
[IMG][/IMG]
Studebaker Champion [IMG][/IMG]

I believe it is a Czech Skoda, BUT, the Red Flag ornament might have been borrowed from the Chinese Hong Qi sedan. Perhaps at one time the sedan was owned by a Chinese diplomat living in Eastern Europe? (Those are Czech plates. IIRC)

I don't think it was a Skoda. I'm betting a Russian copy of the '40's Packard , which they (Russians) were known for . As another said I agree, think it was a Zil.

The Czechs back in those days had their own pretty sophisticated large car...the Tatra. It was a rear wheel drive...with an air cooled V8...driving the rear wheels similar to an old VW Beetle or Porsche. Very streamlined car.

Hans Ledwinka was the designer and word is that Ferry Porsche got his ideas about rear engine transaxle rear drive by 'looking over the shoulder of Mr. Ledwinka'. Don't know if this story is apocryphal or what, but I have heard it a number of times.

Mercury the Winged messenger in the other post reminds me of my dad's old 1941 Mercury convertible. I never saw it, as I wasn't born yet, but that had been one of his favourite cars.

I'd say you're 99% correct with that conclusion
The 1950 ZIS110 Limousine was almost a dead ringer for the 1941-42 Buick Series 90 Limited, but not an exact copy.
Apparently there are several small but significant differences, as well as the 'mystery' surrounding the source of the body dies.
Not sure where the hood insignia came from, and the truly hideous wheels are after market (why?) additions.
ZIS built several similar American styled models up until 1981, after which date they were renamed ZIL and styled the cars along the lines of a Mercedes Benz hybrid.

Hand Crafted Hood Ornament





Ford Hood Ornament

Pretty cool.


This one is also hand crafted. Stainless steel, copper and brass. The brass balls on the crown tips were hand turned with an electric drill and sandpaper.

Pontiac Bonneville, circa 1968 [IMG][/IMG]

The 1965 Dodge Coronet had some great styling [IMG][/IMG] the badge on the trunk [IMG][/IMG]

the Leaper




the wings of a Morgan



grill detail of an MG-A

I also love typeset/scripts on older autos...

Great shots, keep them coming!

No mistaking this Citroen.



A very handsome La Salle phaeton.



One of the less seen, a Crosley.



Not some of my best shots BTW.