Hood ornaments and other car emblems are part of the mystique of some of the distinctive cars, both old and relatively new, that have been driving round Dunedin during the International Festival of Historic Motoring, which finishes today.
One of the most famous radiator mascots is the Spirit of Ecstasy, also known as the "Flying Lady''.
This mascot, in the form of a woman leaning forward with her arms outstretched behind her, takes pride of place on many vehicles made by Rolls-Royce.
Other distinctive mascots include a leaping jaguar on Jaguar cars, a rocket on Oldsmobiles and a three-pointed star surrounded by a circle on Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Mark Wilkinson, chairman of the Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc, and a member of the festival organising committee, said the radiator mascots and other automotive emblems in many forms had long been a key part of the distinctive identity of many car models and brands.
Big radiator mascots have become much less common, including for legal and pedestrian safety reasons, since the late 1960s.
