hood ornament

Spirit of Ecstasy Sculpture by Priory Fine Arts

Few icons are as instantly recognizable – inside the automotive industry or out – as the Spirit of Ecstasy. Adorning the hoods of Rolls-Royce motor cars for nearly a century, the Spirit of Ecstasy remains unrivaled in its authenticity.

The ornament was originally designed by one Charles Sykes, commissioned by the automaker to give their cars an added sense of occasion. Back in the 1930s, the company mascot was also displayed in larger form in Rolls-Royce showrooms. The originals remain highly-coveted collectors' items, but an art studio in England is now offering reproductions of the original for enthusiasts.

The replica sculptures from Priory Fine Arts measure 26 inches tall and weigh a substantial 39 pounds. They're made of bronze and can be ordered as well plated in silver or gold, with a negotiable starting price of $3,150. Have a closer look in the image gallery below, or follow the links to the Priory and Hemmings Motor News websites to inquire.

Gallery: Spirit of Ecstasy by Priory Fine Arts

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Tags: hood ornament, mascot, priory, priory fine art, priory fine arts, rolls-royce, sculpture, spirit of ecstasy, statue, statuette

Bentley Recalls the Flying B Hood Ornament

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Ever take a look at a hood ornament and wonder what would happen if you got hit by a car with one? Some of the most upscale offerings from the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Maybach and Jaguar offer them, but they're all designed to fold down or retract entirely in the event of a pedestrian collision. Apparently Bentley's having a little trouble with theirs, though, prompting the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to issue a recall on the famous Flying B.

The issue involves rust around the hood ornament preventing it from retracting in such an event. The recall affects less than 600 examples of the Arnage, Azure and Brooklands made between 2007 and 2009. Bentley's produced more than that many in those three years, but the hood ornament is an optional accessory that some buyers choose to do without. But if you've got one with it, you should be getting notice from your local dealership in short order with instructions on how to get yours replaced free of charge.

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Tags: bentley, bentley arnage, bentley azure, bentley brooklands, flying b, hood ornament, nhtsa, recall, safety recall