Art & Inspiration Cool Vintage Radiator Caps

Still Graceful

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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A late '20's "Floating Spirit" (missing the lower articulated jaw) & a '60's Cal Custom.

 

The vintage Skull helps understand the movement and its relation to skulls and other macabre things catering to certain masses of the population...Hoodlums......What is it bolted to, a dashplate?

Maybe someone can cast you a lower jaw
even the Call Custom is neat...are the fins supposed to sit the same orientation as the Rocker covers?

Thanks for sharing...
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Been looking for this photo..... She always says I'm going to blow off.

 

I've been following this guy around for about 40 years.

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I found a photo, with a view through the windshield..

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Page 6 and no Voisin "Cocotte"?

 

^^^^ Not bad for something made from scrap close to 100 years ago. ^^^^

 

Yeah, I just had her bolted to that plate, because she was tired of lying down. I think that plate is actually one of those old smoking stands that they made in the shape of playing cards. This one is a club. I bought it as a possible gauge panel conversion, but never got around to it. I always pictured the bottom hole with the steering column passing trough. The "radiator mascot" is from the Franklin Die Cast Co. (Chicago) , produced in the 20's & 30's. Franklin is considered to be the father of die casting in the U.S. & went on to form the Franklin Automobile Company. It was stock #129 in their original catalog, called "The Floating Spirit." Years ago, some guy used mine as a form to do a high quality reproduction & promised me a jaw for my troubles. He never came trough, but I do remember seeing the finished product & it was spectacular (and expensive). The jaw was designed to move in the wind while driving & the piece got the nickname of "Yappy," from what I've read.

And, yes, I do believe the fins on the Cal Custom were intended to be oriented to the direction of the valve cover fins. Here it is on my car, not exactly parallel, but it can be tweaked with set screws. I never used it, because I thought it looks a tad awkward in my situation.

 

KOOL.....

 

Thanks for expanding on the history...it would be cool to try and and find connected imagery as in patent and catalog. To bad about the jaw...I can imagine how rare that actually is.

Your shells filled...mine has a no useable fixed cap (repop) with the filler behind the shell much like your setup Fleetside.

 

Yes that was on that Wild looking Sedan at the Dirtdrags...and of course Hamber @Dan Greenberg's talented capture.

Lots of Aviation inspired Caps back in the day.

That had moving details which was quite common on many of these Mascots back when the Elegant Metal Rolled On Down the Highway.​

 

If the Ole MotoMeter isn't working right this might fix it...

@Bandit Billy heres something you can try next time your at the links...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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...this would help keep the front end on the ground that's for sure...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.kansascity.com/cars/article37228140.html

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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I haven't teed one up off the hood but I did tee off my tail gate of "parts getter II" one day at cape horn in the Columbia river gorge (Washington side). Had to stand on the gate to clear the guard rail. Talk about elevated tee box

Thanks for thinking of me!

 

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Just evidence that Hotrods sported these even though many shells were filled...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Credit to Photographer, Owner
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I think that might be the Mighty Ram leaping forward on this no doubt 31 Chrysler based Racer...just another observation is that front axle...looks as if it may be solidly mounted...

Update...It is not a Ram, it is a Gazelle...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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This is a Hamber's ride I just can't recall whose...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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This one has some interesting lineage and is owned by a Hamber @Ohlly

More at link below...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/jakes-truck.1117806/

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Credit to Photographer, Owner
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...looks to be a Winged Moto Meter Capping this Radiator on this uniquely styled Hotrod.

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/2019-jalopy-showdown.1148734/

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/2019-jalopy-showdown.1148734/

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Caps are part of the OEM and Aftermarket Offerings but when they are on a Hotrod it just has a better resonance to the connection...



...One of Hamber @AldridgeDW captures from a very recent very period attended Swindlers Poker Run...a fine day indeed...and a Fine Hotrod...

Just an interesting eye play going on here with the siding making the top of the pic look crooked...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Credit to Photographer, Owner
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...Another cool pic from Hamber @carsick's Collection

Man From Uncle Maybe?...



Credit to Photographer, Owner
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Credit to Photographer, Owner
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