Packard Cormorant Hood Ornament Value Guide

The Packard Cormorant hood ornament is a premier example of Art Deco automotive design, serving as a symbol of luxury for the Packard Motor Car Company throughout the 1930s. These stylized bird mascots were crafted from chrome-plated zamak or brass to convey a sense of fluid motion and high-end elegance.

What Is Packard Cormorant Hood Ornament Worth?

The typical price range for Packard Cormorant Hood Ornament is $150 - $350 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the chrome plating, with high-shine surfaces commanding prices toward the $350 range.
• Material composition, as early brass-based versions often hold higher value than later zamak castings.
• Presence of original mounting hardware or attachment to an original Packard radiator cap.
• Authenticity versus reproduction status, as modern replicas significantly decrease collector market value.

How to Identify Packard Cormorant Hood Ornament?

• Check for the specific 'swan-like' neck curvature and wing positioning characteristic of 1930-1940 Packard production.
• Examine the base for mounting hardware compatible with period radiator caps or hood assemblies.
• Inspect the material weight; authentic vintage examples are typically heavy chrome-plated brass or zamak rather than modern lightweight alloys.
• Look for age-appropriate 'pitting' in the chrome finish, which is common in original prewar die-cast metal pieces.

History of Packard Cormorant Hood Ornament

The Packard cormorant hood ornament was used by the Packard Motor Car Company during the 1930s and became one of the most recognizable automotive mascots of the prewar era. Originally produced in chrome-plated zamak or brass, these ornaments were decorative emblems mounted on the radiator cap or hood to convey elegance and motion. Over time they have become sought-after collector pieces among classic car enthusiasts and automobilia collectors, with original examples valued for originality and condition.