Page 19 - Apr2022

Is that a Bee

on Your

Bonnet? Would you pay $300,000 to own a
mascot made by Lalique?
Someone did.

And the answer is, no. Anyone who knows brand that even people who knew little about
stinging insects knows that this small work of art motoring could easily recognize a type of car
shows a wasp, not a bee, in flight, but it's simply by looking at the end of the bonnet. As
wonderful just the same. an example, Rolls-Royce called its hallmark
mascot Spirit of Ecstasy, a perfect description of
Known as mascots in Europe and hood ornaments the driving and luxurious comfort experience the
here in the United States, these small sculptures
company promised to deliver to their clients.
from the golden age of automobiles announced a
[More about the fascinating story of the model for
car's presence. They allowed owners as well as
the Spirit of Ecstasy on page 27]
companies to personalize vehicles at a time when
a car was more than transportation it was both an Story continues on page 21
inspiration and an invitation to adventure.
A brief history of
On one end of the spectrum, individual mascots,
like the wasp above, reflected not only a the artistry of the
driver's personality, it made his or her
automobile stand out. At the other end, factory Mascot
badges and mascots became so connected to a 19