Once upon a time ... the radiator mascot
04/03/2023
Now that the last survivor of this time-honored motor vehicle ornament is dying with little prospect of recovery, it is time for a premature obituary. Because the Mercedes star on the hood, as lofty as it is sublime, is now only available on express request, even on the E-Class. Those who do not express this wish are given a Plexiglas-laminated star in the center of the radiator grille in the SL style.
Shortly after the automobile had moved away from its carriage-like functional form and car bodies were consciously designed, they were among the first decorative parts - either fitted ex works as a distinguishing feature or individualized as an accessory: traditional female figureheads, birds, horses, cats of prey and even elephants. Initially still quite naturalistic, they were stylized more and more over the years and fashion trends. They also moved further and further away from their location on the radiator until they were more in keeping with their American name: "hood ornament"
But as stylish as they were, as complexly shaped cast metal parts they were also as sharp-edged as they were unyielding, so that even an otherwise harmless nudge on the hood often resulted in a chrome-plated jet fighter splitting the skull of the passer-by it hit. Instead of making helmets compulsory for pedestrians, Switzerland therefore decided to ban all sharp-edged ornamentation on motor vehicles from June 1, 1957.
The Federal Republic of Germany followed suit in April 1959 - albeit with the loophole of intransigence, which is why the good star, now mounted on a joint, was allowed to remain enthroned on all hoods on all roads. However, in view of air resistance and range optimization, it is literally written in the stars as to how long it will be allowed to do so (even if only by express request).
P.S. We have set up a special picture collection on this topic for radiator fans.
