Nash Flying Lady Hood Ornament Value Guide

The Nash Flying Lady, often called the 'Petty Goddess,' is a premier example of post-war automotive artistry used on Ambassador and Statesman models. Its sleek, stylized design is highly collectible due to its rumored connection to the famous pin-up artist George Petty.

What affects the value of Nash Flying Lady Hood Ornament?

• The condition of the chrome plating, specifically the presence of 'pitting' common in vintage pot metal.
• Historical provenance or evidence that the ornament was an original factory-installed piece rather than a later reproduction.
• The presence of the original mounting assembly or a high-quality wood display base.
• Overall aesthetic appeal and lack of structural cracks in the delicate, stylized limbs of the figure.

How to Identify Nash Flying Lady Hood Ornament?

• Verify the material is chrome-plated pot metal, which was standard for 1950-1951 Nash production.
• Look for the distinct 'Flying Goddess' silhouette featuring a streamlined, forward-leaning female figure.
• Check for authentic mounting hardware or wood base attachments consistent with early 1950s Nash Ambassador or Statesman specifications.
• Examine the casting for sharp details in the figure's form, as reproductions often lack the crispness of original 1950s molds.

History of Nash Flying Lady Hood Ornament

Automotive hood ornaments reached their peak of artistry in the post-war era, serving as distinctive brand identifiers and status symbols. This specific 'Flying Lady' design is associated with the Nash Ambassador and Statesman models of the early 1950s. It is rumored to have been influenced by the work of famed pin-up artist George Petty, adding to its notoriety and desirability among collectors of vintage automobilia.