Whatever Happened to the Jaguar Hood Ornament?

Leaping Jaguar hood ornament on Jaguar XF
 

There’s no greater throwback than seeing a Jaguar car with a hood ornament driving along the Kerrville streets. A Jaguar hood ornament is unmistakable, since it is the Jaguar logo itself. So, what happened to these classic models? Why did Jaguar remove the hood ornament from its models? Jaguar Boerne Certified Pre-Owned and Service has the inside scoop!

Jaguar Hood Ornament History

In the early days of automobiles, the majority of cars featured hood ornaments, and that’s where Jaguar hood ornament history begins. Beyond acting as a symbol of status and style, hood ornaments had a functional role — hiding the radiator cap. You see, older cars had the radiator cap located at the front of the hood, so the hood ornament covered the cap to create a more attractive appearance overall.

When Did Jaguar Stop Using Hood Ornaments?

Of course, Jaguar cars no longer boast the Jaguar hood ornament. This occurred within the last few decades. Why did Jaguar remove the hood ornament? There were a few reasons, including:

  • Radiator caps are no longer located on the hood of the car. So, the hood ornaments were no longer needed to cover up the cap.
  • Driver tastes changed, and Jaguar hood ornaments came out of style in the 21st century.
  • A Jaguar hood ornament posed a theft risk. When drivers discovered their iconic Jaguar hood ornaments stolen, they were forced to buy a new one for installation or address the damage in another way.
  • European car regulations changed for safety reasons, requiring that hood ornaments collapse, bend, or fold away in the event of a collision. Rather than re-engineer the ornaments, most automakers decided to remove them altogether. 

Can You Still Buy a Jaguar Car With a Hood Ornament?

As we mentioned, the new Jaguar lineup does not feature the Jaguar hood ornament, nor do recent used Jaguar models. However, you can consult our parts center to see if you can purchase a genuine Jaguar hood ornament. Otherwise, there’s the option of browsing our used inventory for a vintage Jaguar model with the instantly recognizable Jaguar Leaper.

Connect with Jaguar Boerne Certified Pre-Owned and Service for More Jaguar Information

Jaguar Boerne Certified Pre-Owned and Service serves as your go-to source for all things Jaguar in the San Antonio area. Whether you want more information about Jaguar hood ornament history or have questions about specific models, we’re here to help. Get in touch or visit us near Fredericksburg today.

 

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