390: Steve Purdy and "Mascots in Motion"
About this episode
Steve Purdy, author of 'Mascots in Motion', shares insights into the evolution of automotive hood ornaments, transforming from functional parts to artistic expressions. The conversation delves into the history and significance of various designs, including iconic examples like the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy and the Lalique crystal ornaments. Purdy discusses his journey in compiling decades of photography and stories into his book, emphasizing the aesthetic details often overlooked at car shows. He also touches on the collector's perspective on value and rarity in hood ornaments.
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Purdy — writer, photographer, producer, and automotive historian — to discuss his stunning new art book, Mascots in Motion. This beautifully crafted coffee table book celebrates over 40 years of photographing the details of special cars and sharing their stories.
Featuring more than 300 original images captured "in the wild" at events and venues across the country, Mascots in Motion explores the artistry, culture, and history behind some of the world's most captivating automotive mascots and design details. Steve shares his creative process, the stories behind his favorite shots, and what it means to preserve automotive art through photography and storytelling.
This book — designed and produced by Michigan-based, award-winning publisher M.J. Jacobs, LLC — is a must-have for anyone who loves art, automotive design, history, and culture.
Learn more about Steve and his work at https://shunpikerproductions.com/.
#CollectorCarPodcast #StevePurdy #MascotsInMotion #CarPhotography #AutomotiveArt #CarCulture #ClassicCars #ArtBook #CarDesign #CarHistorians #AutomotiveHistory
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RM Sotheby's
"...the world's largest collector car auction house by total sales."
RM Sotheby's is a company that sells rare and valuable cars at auctions. They are well-known for helping people buy and sell collector cars.
RM Sotheby's is a prominent auction house specializing in the sale of collector cars, known for its high-profile auctions and extensive network in the automotive collector community.
temperature gauge
"...the temperature gauge was inside, but the ornamentation stayed and became more and more a part of the design of the car."
The temperature gauge shows how hot the engine is running. If it gets too high, it can mean the engine is overheating, which can cause damage.
A temperature gauge is a device in a vehicle that measures the temperature of the engine coolant. It helps the driver monitor the engine's operating temperature to prevent overheating.
Plymouth
"...the Pontiac, of course, had the Indian head and Plymouth had the sailing ship."
Plymouth was another car brand in the U.S. that made budget-friendly cars. They had unique designs and symbols, like a sailing ship.
Plymouth was an American automobile brand that was part of Chrysler Corporation. It was known for producing affordable cars and had a strong presence in the mid-20th century.
General Motors
"But then we cover General Motors and all the sub subdivisions of that."
General Motors is a big car company that makes many different types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.
General Motors is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for brands like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
Ford
"Ford and Chrysler and then we have a big chapter on American independence..."
Ford is a well-known car company that makes a variety of vehicles, including popular trucks and cars like the Mustang.
Ford is an iconic American automotive brand known for its trucks, SUVs, and the famous Ford Mustang sports car.
Pierce Arrow
"like Packard and Studebaker and Pierce Arrow and all of those."
Pierce Arrow was a luxury car brand that made high-quality cars in the early 1900s, known for their engineering and style.
Pierce Arrow was an American luxury automobile manufacturer known for its high-end vehicles and innovative engineering in the early 20th century.
Packard
"like Packard and Studebaker and Pierce Arrow and all of those."
Packard was a car company that made luxury cars a long time ago, known for their quality and style.
Packard was a luxury automobile manufacturer in the United States, known for its high-quality cars in the early to mid-20th century.
Studebaker
"like Packard and Studebaker and Pierce Arrow and all of those."
Studebaker was a car company that made cars for over a hundred years, known for their unique and innovative designs.
Studebaker was an American automobile manufacturer that produced vehicles from the 1850s until the 1960s, known for innovation and unique designs.
trucks
"And so I decided to do a little piece on trucks."
Trucks are large vehicles that are mainly used to carry heavy loads or cargo from one place to another.
Trucks are motor vehicles designed primarily for transporting cargo, and they come in various sizes and configurations for different uses.
Divco
"including the Divco, the little humpy milk truck that was so popular back in the day."
Divco was a company that made delivery trucks, especially the ones used for delivering milk, which were very common in the past.
Divco was a manufacturer known for producing delivery trucks, particularly milk trucks, that were popular in the mid-20th century.
Spirit of Ecstasy
"I mean, you have the Rolls Royce, the spirit of ecstasy, the woman flowing with their arms out and draping. And I just had a podcast where I talked to an owner of one of these cars..."
The Spirit of Ecstasy is a famous figure that sits on the front of Rolls-Royce cars. It represents beauty and luxury, and there are different versions of it, including one where the figure is kneeling.
The Spirit of Ecstasy is the iconic hood ornament of Rolls-Royce cars, depicting a woman leaning forward with her arms outstretched. It symbolizes luxury and elegance, and its design has evolved over the years, with variations such as the kneeling version mentioned in the discussion.
Bentley Continental
"...I actually saw a Bentley Continental, a new one, and it had the classic flying bee on the front."
The Bentley Continental is a fancy car that is very powerful and comfortable. It's designed for long drives and is made with high-quality materials, making it a popular choice for those who want a luxury vehicle.
The Bentley Continental is a luxury grand tourer known for its combination of performance and opulence. It features a powerful engine and high-quality materials, making it a desirable choice among luxury car enthusiasts.
flying bee
"...and it had the classic flying bee on the front. And what was interesting is the wings were actually glass."
The flying bee is a decoration on the front of some Bentley cars. It looks like a bee with wings and is made to make the car look more luxurious and special.
The flying bee is a distinctive hood ornament used by Bentley, symbolizing elegance and luxury. It is designed to enhance the car's aesthetic appeal and is often made from high-quality materials, sometimes even glass.
hood ornament
"that they're actually making, you know, new hood ornaments today with these mascots, such as the famous flying bee and their customizing them even today, which is fascinating."
A hood ornament is a decoration on the front of a car. It can be a symbol of the car brand or just a fancy design to make the car look nicer.
A hood ornament is a decorative figure or emblem mounted on the front of a vehicle's hood. They are often used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the car and can represent the brand or model.
Jaguar
"And the one that most people think of is the Jaguar, which has essentially unchanged from the very beginning."
Jaguar is a car brand from Britain that makes luxury cars. They are known for their stylish designs and fast performance.
Jaguar is a British luxury vehicle brand known for its performance cars and distinctive design. The brand has a rich history and is often associated with elegance and sportiness.
Mack
"you mentioned trucks like I know the Mack truck, the bulldog is a pretty iconic mascot for a truck."
Mack is a company that makes big trucks. They are famous for their strong and reliable trucks, and they have a bulldog figure as their logo.
Mack is an American manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, known for their durability and distinctive bulldog hood ornament. They have a long history in the trucking industry, dating back to 1900.
Bentley
"We already talked about, you know, Rolls Royce and Bentley. Are there others you mentioned Packard like I picture?"
Bentley is another luxury car brand from Britain that makes very high-end and powerful cars.
Bentley is a British luxury car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and craftsmanship, often competing with Rolls Royce.
Rolls Royce
"We already talked about, you know, Rolls Royce and Bentley. Are there others you mentioned Packard like I picture?"
Rolls Royce is a very expensive car brand known for making luxurious and high-quality vehicles.
Rolls Royce is a prestigious British luxury automobile maker, famous for its high-end cars that often symbolize wealth and luxury.
Lincoln
"What is it Lincoln that had the Greyhound in the 30s and 40s? Oh, yes. And Chrysler had the Gazelle."
Lincoln is a luxury car brand from Ford that makes high-end cars and SUVs.
Lincoln is a luxury vehicle division of the American automaker Ford, known for its upscale sedans and SUVs.
Gazelle
"Yeah. Chrysler Imperial had a wonderfully graceful Gazelle. You know, there were different themes like there were animal themes."
The Gazelle was a special car model made by Chrysler that had a unique and stylish look.
The Gazelle was a model produced by Chrysler, known for its unique design and styling, often associated with luxury.
Chrysler Imperial
"You remember the Gazelle? Yeah. Chrysler Imperial had a wonderfully graceful Gazelle. You know, th..."
The Chrysler Imperial is a big, fancy car that was made for people who wanted something really nice to drive. It was known for its beautiful design and comfortable features, making it a popular choice for those looking for luxury in their vehicles.
The Chrysler Imperial is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Chrysler from 1926 to 1983, known for its elegant design and high-end features. It often represented the pinnacle of Chrysler's engineering and luxury offerings, making it a significant model in American automotive history. The Imperial is frequently discussed for its classic styling and as a symbol of American luxury cars during its production years.
California Car Cover
"That's why my Pontiac GTO and Porsche Boxster S are wrapped in California car covers. Since 1989, they've been family owned and focused on quality..."
California Car Cover is a company that makes special covers to protect cars from things like rain and dust. They have many different styles to choose from.
California Car Cover is a company specializing in high-quality car covers that protect vehicles from the elements. They offer a wide range of patterns and custom options to fit various car models.
Pontiac Gto
"That's why my Pontiac GTO and Porsche Boxster S are wrapped in California car covers."
The Pontiac GTO is a famous muscle car that was made by Pontiac. It's known for being fast and has a strong engine, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The Pontiac GTO is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful performance and distinctive styling. It was originally produced from 1964 to 1974 and is often credited with popularizing the muscle car segment.
Porsche Boxster
"... the best. That's why my Pontiac GTO and Porsche Boxster S are wrapped in California car covers."
Tesla
"So for a today's brand like Tesla, if they had a hood ornament, it would probably be a stylized version of their badge."
Tesla is a car company that makes electric cars. They are known for their modern designs and technology.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovative technology and design. Founded by Elon Musk and others, it has become a leader in the electric vehicle market.
Mercedes-Benz
"Yeah, it's interesting because, you know, I think I don't know, Mercedes, they might still have them on some cars in the past."
Mercedes-Benz is a luxury car brand from Germany. They make high-end cars, and some of them have decorative ornaments on the front.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automobile brand known for its high-quality vehicles and advanced engineering. The brand often features iconic design elements, including hood ornaments on some models.
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